This document recommends strategies for the National Science Foundation and other Federal agencies to use in a nationally coordinated effort to improve and promote Ocean Sciences education.
Demographic changes and the emergence of a more global society have challenged the field of environmental education (EE) to be more inclusive and to offer programming that is relevant to culturally diverse groups. But what do we mean by diversity, and where is the EE field going with it? “Still Developing the Toolbox: Making EE Relevant for Culturally Diverse Groups” by Joanne M. Lozar Glenn addresses this question and profiles five organizations working to connect their programming to the communities they serve.
EOL gives scientists and citizens alike access to a dynamic, up-to-date synthesis of what is known about the diversity of life on our planet. On the EOL portal site, 80,000 individual species pages geared to the general public serve as entry points to more specialized in-depth resources for scientists, natural resource managers, and conservationists.
The COSEE collections encompass the COSEE Resource Collection and the COSEE News Collection. COSEE collections provide access to on-line resources for ocean science education excellence, including collaborations between education and research communities, professional development opportunities for teachers, informational materials useful in educational settings, marine career information, announcements and more.
Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) provides data, information and products on marine and estuarine systems. Classroom resources include data sets, posters, lesson plans, and more.
If you are looking for a one-stop site for marine science and education, look no further! This site provides links for obtaining lesson plans, electronic resources, oceanographic data, etc. The Bridge is sponsored by NOAA Sea Grant and the National Marine Educators Association
This water quality online resource tackles issues such as how scarce the fresh water is becoming throughout the world, significant impacts on human health and economic development, as well as political conflicts that are related to the use and overuse of this finite resource.
The Digital Library of Earth Science (DLESE) resources include electronic materials for both teachers and learners, such as lesson plans, maps, images, data sets, visualizations, assessment activities, curriculum, and online courses. DLESE was developed with funding from the National Science Foundation and is operated by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Computational and Information Systems Laboratory and the NCAR Library on behalf of the education community.
The Arctic Climate Modeling Program provides curriculum-based resources designed with input from 21 scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. Resources include K-12 inquiry-based classroom lessons, a student network for observing arctic weather, digital lectures, and an interactive multimedia learning system (on DVD).
Georgia's Wetland Treasures is a 218-page teacher resource activity book that includes fact sheets, activities, information and field guides, worksheets, and activity directions.
Use satellite data and other online resources to explore the underwater world through six inquiry activities on ocean upwelling, coral bleaching, the Gulf Stream, coastal waters, algae blooms, and El Nino/La Nina.
The Maury Project is the American Meteorological Society's comprehensive national program of teacher enhancement based on studies of the physical foundations of oceanography. Major components of the program include: (a) the development of a cadre of master oceanographic education resource teachers who provide peer training opportunities for their colleagues throughout the country, and (b) the dissemination and implementation of scientifically accurate and pedagogically sound instructional resource materials directed towards teachers.
Since 1983, the Island Institute has employed a wide range of individuals, including photographers, artists, policy experts, and others, all in the name of maintaining the viability of the fifteen year-round island communities in the Gulf of Maine. Website resources include information about fellowship opportunities, working waterfront initiatives, links to initiatives of interest, educational resources, and much more.
The National Science Teachers Association recently launched Lab Out Loud, a bi-weekly podcast in which science news and science education is discussed with researchers, science writers and other figures in the field.
The New England Aquarium recently announced the launch of the website for the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA). PIPA is the third largest marine protected area in the world and was recently nominated as a world heritage site. The New England Aquarium, under the direction of VP Gregory Stone, has played a critical role in the development of the PIPA, starting with two expeditions to conduct biological surveys of the islands in 2000 and 2002 and a National Geographic article in 2004.
Funded by the National Science Foundation in 2002, this partnership of the Exploratorium, King's College London, and the University of California Santa Cruz conducts research on informal learning, the informal science education infrastructure, and the connections between in- and out-of-school science learning. The Center for Informal Learning and Schools also provides training through graduate programs in developmental psychology and science education, professional development for informal educators, and conferences that bring together researchers and practitioners.
The U.S. Geological Survey has mapped the seafloor of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and western Massachusetts Bay, offshore of Boston, Massachusetts. This GIS Library contains images and grids of bathymetry, shaded relief bathymetry, and backscatter intensity data from these surveys.
Classroom Encounters has produced a series of interactive DVDs about how the planet works featuring world-renowned ocean scientists, latest discoveries, and original student art and music.
The University of New Hampshire's Center of Excellence for Ocean Observation and Analysis provides multiple downloadable movies illustrating physical, chemical, and biological characteristic of the oceans from a satellite's-eye view.
Each month, the National Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Center Education Project shares information pertinent to the marine educator community. The monthly email update is intended to improve the availability of education information to MPA practitioners and the public, encourage exchange of information and programs, and promote collaboration among educators.
Visit the micro*scope website for images of microbes, classification schemes, descriptions of organisms, talks and other educational resources to improve awareness of the biodiversity of our microbial partners.
