| Reflecting the growing interest in and need for an exchange of ocean science education information in the New England region, we have merged NEwswave with our publication Notes. NEwswave will now be coming to you every other week. And, in addition to updates on COSEE-NE activities, NEwswave now includes links to resources of interest to the New
England ocean science education community. Please send announcements and news to the editor, Catherine Cramer.
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COSEE-NE News
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Scientist-Teen Apprenticeship In 2007-2008, COSEE-NE is piloting a Teen Apprenticeship Program at the New England Aquarium, with the goal to develop a model for other informal educational institutions. The program, developed in conjunction with the Massachusetts Mentoring Partnership, includes workshops for scientists on guiding an apprentice and mentoring, as well as teen programs. For more information on the project, visit here.
Facilitators' Workshop In response to the emergence of and growing need for ocean science facilitators - those working behind-the-scenes to connect scientists and educators in order to further ocean science education - COSEE-NE recently sponsored a Facilitators Workshop. Developed and convened by Andrea Thorrold, COSEE-NE Program Coordinator at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the workshop was unique professional development opportunity for people working in this new profession. Read more about the workshop.COSEE-NE at NMEA Conference COSEE-NE will be very much a presence during the upcoming annual NMEA conference, Downeast 2007. Team members are coordinating a session demonstrating connections between scientists and teachers, and will be giving a presentation on Telling Your Story. In addition, we have helped coordinate a NEOSEC meeting before the start of the conference, and we are working on organizing an informal discussion about floating classroom curricula. |
Reports, Publications and Announcements
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Antarctic Icebergs: Unlikely Oases for Ocean Life
Icebergs have long gripped the popular imagination, whether as relatively run-of-the-mill floating hazards that cause "unsinkable" ships to founder or, more recently, as enormous breakaway pieces of ice the size of states or small countries.
But, according to a paper published in last week's Science magazine, scientists have discovered that these floating ice islands - some as large as a dozen miles across - have a major impact on the ecology of the ocean around them, serving as "hotspots" for ocean life, with thriving communities of seabirds above and a web of phytoplankton, krill and fish below. Read the rest of the summary.
NOAA Research Plan Available for Public Comment NOAA's 5-Year Research Plan, last published in January 2005, has been revised to address the years 2007-2011. The plan outlines priority research areas for the short term, and milestones by which NOAA intends to measure progress within these areas. Significant changes in this revision of the NOAA 5-Year Research Plan include expanded discussion of critical research tools as well as the transition of research to application, a recognition of the value of transformational research, and a new chapter on technology and mission support. The draft NOAA 5-Year Research Plan also provides clear linkages between its research milestones and the NOAA Strategic Plan. NOAA welcomes all comments on the content of the draft NOAA 5-Year Research Plan, including any possible omissions of important topics or issues. Written comments will be accepted until 5pm EDT on July 18, 2007. Follow the specific instructions provided in the Federal Register notice when submitting comments. For more information, visit the NOAA Research Council Website, or contact Derek Parks.
First Buoy to Monitor Ocean Acidification Launched The first buoy to monitor ocean acidification has been launched in the Gulf of Alaska. Attached to the 10-foot-diameter buoy are sensors to measure climate indicators. "The instruments will measure the air-sea exchange of carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen gas in addition to the pH, a measure of ocean acidity, of the surface waters," said Steven Emerson of the University of Washington, the project's lead scientist. "This is the first system specifically designed to monitor ocean acidification." Read the summary. NOAA and International Partners to Study Marine Mammals' Reaction to Underwater Sound NOAA Fisheries is leading an international effort this summer in the Bahamas with scientists from various academic institutions and research organizations to study how marine mammals respond to underwater sound. Scientists hope to learn more about how different sounds, including active sonar systems, may affect the behavior of several marine mammal species, and particularly beaked whales. NOAA's co-investigators include subject-matter experts from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Cornell University, University of St. Andrews (Scotland), and the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization. The experiments will be conducted with support from multiple sources, including the U.S. Navy. For more information about this research, read the NOAA news release.
Project Kaleidoscope Posting Recent PKAL meetings have addressed, from several perspectives, the umbrella theme of being an advocate for transforming undergraduate STEM. In this posting of Project Kaleidoscope Volume IV: What Works, What Matters, What Lasts is presented a case study exploring issues relating to 'making the case' for new spaces for undergraduate science which was used at the March 2007 PKAL Facilities Planning Workshop. Read this posting.
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Online Ocean Education Resources
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Website on Ocean Pollution The World Ocean Observatory announces the
launch of Exporting Pollution, a new website exploring ship disposal
and recycling, invasive species and noise pollution. Exporting Pollution focuses
on three ways that countries export pollution, whether deliberately or
inadvertently, and consequences for marine ecosystems worldwide using a
compilation of videos, photo essays, podcasts, interviews, research and
case studies.
Dive and Discover Expedition to the Arctic Led by Robert Reves-Sohn, a geophysicist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, scientists and engineers from the United States, Germany, Japan and Sweden will depart from Svalbard, Norway, on July 1 to study deep-sea hydrothermal vent sites along the Arctic's Gakkel Ridge, using unique underwater and under-ice vehicles. Follow the mission live on the Dive and Discover website. Check back between July 1 and August 10 for daily updates, photos, interviews, puzzles,
hot topics, and more.
Ocean Exploration Expedition The second expedition of NOAA Ocean Exploration's 2007 field season, "Cayman Islands Twilight Zone," is now available on NOAA's Ocean Explorer website. From June 4-July 6, a diverse team of scientists is using the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Jason II and the NOAA Ship Ronald Brown to expand upon the "Expedition to the Deep Slope 2006" exploration and study of hydrocarbon seep communities deeper than 1000 meters in the Gulf of Mexico.
Reef Videos You can choose from more than 600 reef videos at www.reefvid.org All are free for educational purposes and work will in PowerPoint or on web pages. If you're a Mac user you can view files using the free VLC Media Player or convert from AVI to Quicktime using one of many free applications online.Fisheries Video Available on YouTube NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center has made approximately 30 fisheries videos available on YouTube as part of its public multimedia collection. The video clips include recent footage of leatherback turtles, white abalone, market squid, cowcod and bocaccio rockfish. The Southwest Fisheries Science Center's multimedia galley provides a link to the YouTube page, as well as other educational materials such as images, podcasts, reports from the field, and sounds from the sea.The Futures Channel provides free multimedia resources for math and science teachers. The goal is to use "new media technologies to create a channel between the scientists, engineers, explorers, and visionaries who are shaping the future, and today's learners who will one day succeed them." Each video is accompanied by at least one lesson and some have several lessons for different grade levels. Visit The Futures Channel
Teachers' Domain Launches Open Educational Resources
On June 1, 2007 Teachers' Domain announced the launch of Open Educational Resources - video segments, interactive activities, and lesson plans in earth science, engineering, life science, and physical science that are downloadable, sharable, and re-mixable. The Teachers' Domain Collections are FREE for anyone to use and are comprised of carefully chosen and edited online resources, multimedia learning tools, and corresponding lesson plans from NOVA and other award-winning PBS programs. Currently providing more than 1,000 resources, a third of which will now be available as Open Educational Resources, Teachers' Domain covers all key topics in science and is now expanding into the humanities. |
Seminars, Workshops, Online Courses
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Summer Insititute at NEAq The New England Aquarium, in partnership with Northeastern University's Marine Science Center in Nahant, is offering a summer institute for teachers funded by the Massachusetts Department of Education. This institute will run for 8 days in the summer and two follow-up days in the fall. It is FREE to all participants, and you will receive PDP's after completion of the institute. Middle School teachers will receive first priority, but any interested Massachusetts teacher is welcome to apply. The course, On The Lynn Waterfront: Integrating Science Standards through Classroom and Field Investigations, runs from August 6-15, 8:30am-3:30pm, with follow up October 27 and November 17. It will be held at Northeastern University Marine Science Center, Nahant, with onefollow up session at New England Aquarium. Email trc@neaq.org or call 617-973-6590 for more information or an application. Climate Science for Teachers Course For teachers in grades 6-10, taught at Waquoit Bay Reserve and Woods Hole on Cape Cod. Earn 3 graduate credits (optional) or 68 PDPs. Class held Monday August 6-Thursday August 9, 2007, 8:30-3:30, plus callback in fall 2007. You will hear expert presenters from Woods Hole science institutions, sample at the shore of a coastal bay, and collect resources to teach about climate science, coastal systems, and how oceans and climate are connected. We'll sort out climate fact from fiction, collect data, and design investigations for students. Participants will receive lesson plans and a resource CD. Cost is $50 to cover materials. Optional credit costs $165 for 3 graduate credits from Framingham State College.
Contact Pat Harcourt with questions or to register.Learning Ocean Science through Ocean Exploration
NOAA's Ocean Exploration Program is providing a one-time "specialty" professional development workshop for high school teachers on July 19 at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston. This workshop will focus on activities chosen for use in the SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences) after-school high school program. All lesson plan activities are correlated to National Science Education Standards and are applicable for curricular use, as well. A few spaces remain; registration closes June 29. To register, contact Carol Englander.
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Conferences
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Taking the Pulse of the Ocean COSEE-Mid-Atlantic invites you to the Taking the Pulse of the Ocean conference, being held July 9-13 at the University of Maryland Horn Point Laboratory. The goal of the conference is to share information on the use of observing systems in the classroom and will focus on topics associated with the global and coastal ocean. Visit online for more information and registration.
Symposium at Antioch University New England The Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation, a non-profit organization at Antioch University New
England that is committed to supporting education and research in
tropical ecology, conservation and the sustainable use of tropical
ecosystems, announces the annual fall symposium: Coastal Connections: Linking Research and Education in Tropical Coastal Systems. The symposium will be held Saturday, November 3rd, 2007, at Antioch University in Keene, New Hampshire. CTEC works to create links between New England and the tropics. The research portion of the symposium will focus on current applied research in tropical and New England coastal systems. Participants will engage in conversations regarding the scientific aspects of this research as well as the roles of advocacy and education as it pertains to coastal systems. The Center is currently accepting proposals for lecture, poster and panel
presentations. For more information contact Christine Gleason or visit online
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| Policy Updates |
Massachusetts Ocean Act This week, the Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on a bill promoting comprehensive ocean management planning in Massachusetts ocean waters. The Massachusetts Ocean Act is sponsored by Cape and Islands Senator Robert O'Leary and was drafted in consultation with scientists, environmentalists, fishermen and other marine trade industries, as well as state resource managers, to end the uncoordinated decision-making process that currently exists for commercial ocean projects. Fact sheets on the bill are available at www.massoceanaction.org
Coastal Zone Management Reauthorization Bill Senators Snowe (R-ME), Cantwell (D-WA) and Levin (D-MI) introduced S. 1579, the Coastal Zone Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2007. This measure would encourage the use of innovative technologies and techniques in the coastal zone for long-term coastal conservation. The bill would reauthorize administrative grants for improved coastal management and creation, restoration, and preservation of coastal habitats. The bill also would allow states to amend their coastal zone plans to address impacts of climate change on coastal zone resources. Committee staff are planning to wait for the results of NOAA's Envisioning the Future stakeholder process before marking up the bill.
Ocean Trust Fund Amendment The Senate is expected to take up an amendment to the 2007 Clean Energy Act (HR 6) by Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) that would create two ocean trust funds (Amendment # 1741). To view the amendment as well as a summary, visit the Coastal States Organization homepage.
Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2007 Congressional staff and a wide-range of stakeholders spent several days focusing on emerging coastal and ocean issues during Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2007 (CHOW). Hosted by the The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, CHOW provides a forum to discuss a wide range of ocean topics including the need for ocean observatories to incorporate biological data, the economics of coastal communities, and ecosystem-based management. For more information and to view relevant presentations from the various panels, visit online.
Appropriations Bill Passed The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science passed the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. According to a statement released by Subcommittee Chairman Alan Mollohan (D-WV) the bill provides a total of $53.6 billion for agencies under the Subcommittees' jurisdiction, including NSF, NOAA, and NASA. In addition, the bill provides $1.9 billion worth of activities to address the challenges of global warming, including $6 million for a National Academy of Sciences to establish a Climate Change Study Committee and conduct a report within two years. Chairman Mollohan's statement can be viewed online. |
Jobs in New England
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The Waquoit Bay Reserve is looking for a seasonal Island Manager to provide stewardship and education on the 330 acre Washburn Island in Waquoit Bay on Cape Cod. Duties include management of a small camping area with 11 primitive sites and composting toilets, walks beaches to provide information to day use visitors, conducts interpretive programs and assists with the protection of endangered shorebirds and their nests. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, have camping experience and knowledge of coastal environments. Staff spends 4 nights each week camping on the Island and one day working in the office at headquarters. On site dorm housing is provided for days off. For additonal information contact Nancy Church
Nature Conservancy Seeks NOAA National Partnership Coordinator The Nature Conservancy is seeking to fill the position of NOAA National Partnership Coordinator (Applied Scientist
I). The TNC-NOAA National Partnership Coordinator oversees
activities related to a National Partnership between The Nature
Conservancy and NOAA's Community-based Restoration Program. As
part of the Conservancy's Global Marine Initiative, the Coordinator
will provide technical support and advice to TNC field staff
working on restoration projects, as well as external partners
supported through the National Partnership. The position is located in Narragansett, RI and
deadline for application is June 30th. The full position description and
application are posted online. |
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Student Opportunities
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COASTSWEEP Twenty years ago, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts embarked on a mission to reduce marine debris in Massachusetts by encouraging volunteers to pick up trash from their local beaches. Over the years, this marine debris removal program, known as COASTSWEEP, has expanded to include marshes, river banks, ponds, and even the ocean floor. As the program celebrates its 20th anniversary, students in grades K-12 are encouraged to learn about marine debris and participate in a poster contest to help design this year's promotional materials. Prizes include aquarium tickets, T-shirts, and the grand prize of an REI Outdoor School Voucher good for two to any class or outing they offer, including kayaking, hiking, biking, and photography. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, July 18th. Contest rules and educational resources can be found on the COASTSWEEP website. If you have any questions about the poster contest, or you are interested in participating in a clean-up event, contact Pauline Westhaver.
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| Tell Us Your Opinion! |
As always, we want to know
what you think! Please take a minute to fill out this short survey about this newsletter.
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COSEE-NE Curriculum Published in Science Scope
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COSEE-NE's program Ocean Science Education Institute (OSEI), now in its fifth year, helps ocean scientists and educators collaborate on developing classroom resources that use current ocean science research. Recently, curriculum on waves and tsunamis was published in the NSTA journal Science Scope. And it's available online for free!
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Gulf of Maine Times
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The new issue of the Gulf of Maine Times is available now online.
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Website of Note
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The Center for Informal Learning and Schools (CILS)
was funded by the National Science Foundation in 2002. CILS conducts research on informal learning, the informal science education infrastructure, and the connections between in- and out-of-school science learning. CILS 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. CILS is a partnership of the Exploratorium, King's College London, and the University of California Santa Cruz. Visit the website!
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NOAA Online Seminars
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''One NOAA" science discussion seminars are a joint effort to help share science across NOAA.
NOAA partners (so far): NODC, NOS, OHC, ARL, OHD, NMFS, NWS, NOAA Library, NCBO and the Office of Ocean Exploration
To join the seminar email list contact Hernan Garcia.
For on-line public access (no login/password required) go to GoogleCalendar
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Science Question Writers Needed
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The National Ocean Sciences Bowl is looking for writers for buzzer and team challenge questions for the 2008 NOSB
competitions. For more information contact Henry Hope.
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Wetsuit Special!
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The Gulf of Maine Marine Education
Association (GOMMEA) is selling wetsuits at a 40% discount. This is a way to raise funds to help the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA)
and GOMMEA support marine education and help educators attend the annual NMEA
conference. If you have interest in purchasing a wetsuit, contact
Sharon Meeker
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