COSEE-NE News
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Interview with a Science Coordinator In part two of our look at how specific positions can enhance school marine science programs, we interviewed Cory Logan, Science Coordinator at a small independent school in Massachusetts. Read the interview.
Nantucket COSEE-Cam Installed As part of this year's OSEI project, a COSEE-Cam was recently installed on Nantucket. The real-time video camera, positioned on top of the main classroom at UMass Boston's Nantucket Field Station, shows a 360-degree view of Nantucket Harbor. The camera is part of this year's OSEI project using real-time data. Thanks go to Francesco Peri, Tony Molis, Mike Pollard and Sarah Oktay. Use the COSEE-Cam.
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Reports, Publications and Announcements
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NOAA Releases Report on Nation's Stressed Estuaries
NOAA has released the report Effects of Nutrient Enrichment in the Nation's Estuaries: A Decade of Change, National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment Update. The report found moderate-to-high level nutrient-related impacts in systems on all coasts, with the Mid-Atlantic region, from Cape Cod to Chesapeake Bay, being the most impaired. To read the report visit online.
Stellwagen Report There are limited hard copies of the NOAA/NCCOS report An Ecological Characterization of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Region. If interested in obtaining a copy, email Ben Haskell with your address. You can also view the document and download it online.
Cape Cod Bay Mapping In early September, the joint Coastal Zone Management (CZM)-U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) mapping program completed a "ground-truth" sampling survey in Cape Cod Bay. These data, as well as the results from a series of sediment cores, will help further characterize the seafloor and geologic framework of the region. This survey is part of the of the cooperative mapping program between CZM and USGS, which has mapped more than 1,200 square kilometers (463 square miles) of seafloor in coastal Massachusetts since 2003. For details, see the press release.
Possible Changes to Marine Mammal Regulations for Researchers NOAA Fisheries Service is considering proposing changes to the criteria that govern permits issued for scientific research and enhancement activities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). For more information read the Federal Register notice or contact Amy Sloan. Any other recommendations received from the public in response to this notice will also be considered. Comments may be sent to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov through November 13, 2007.
NOAA Reports that La Niņa is Developing Scientists with NOAA's Climate Prediction Center report that La Niņa is on its way, supported by slight declines in sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and stronger-than-average easterly winds across the west-central equatorial Pacific. With La Niņa developing, seasonal forecasters expect wetter than normal conditions in the Pacific Northwest and drier than normal conditions in the already drought-stricken southwestern U.S. this fall. These conditions also reinforce NOAA's forecast for an above normal Atlantic hurricane season. For more information, read the NOAA news release.
Blueprint for Recruiting Minorities to Science and Engineering The Model Institutions for Excellence Program (MIE) funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has developed a body of work over the past 11 years demonstrating successful strategies for recruiting underrepresented minority students to science and engineering fields and supporting their successful completion of science degrees. Read the NSF summary.
Marine Ecosystems and Management The first issue of Marine Ecosystems and Management, a new quarterly newsletter on marine ecosystem-based management worldwide, has been launched. To subscribe, visit online.
Gulf of Maine Council Grants Awarded The Gulf of Maine Council has awarded 2007-2008 Action Plan Grants to ten recipients in the Gulf of Maine region. For more information, see the Gulf of Maine Council website.
PKAL on Storytelling and Leadership Since 2004, PKAL has posted a diverse set of stories, interviews, and reflections by faculty, administrators, and others whose work is aimed at transforming the undergraduate STEM learning environment. PKAL is now engaged in a renovation of the PKAL website that includes the reorganization and expansion of the personal accounts from leaders in undergraduate STEM told through interviews, stories and reflections. Read their stories.
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Online Ocean Education Resources
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Middle School Lesson Plans: Ecology by Inquiry A new series of lessons for middle-school students is designed to teach fundamental ecological principles using an inquiry-based approach. Many of the lessons are designed around ecosystems found in the Pacific Northwest, but they can be customized to incorporate local wildlife and habitats from other regions. The lesson plans were developed by NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center in cooperation with local schools. More information is available online, or contact nwfsc.education@noaa.gov.
Latest NOAA Ocean Exploration Mission The 2007: Exploring the Inner Space of the Celebes Sea website is now live. This expedition is visiting unexplored waters south of the Philippine Islands from September 27 - October 16, in search of fishes, jellies, squids and shrimp that live in the dark deep waters of the Celebes Sea. Lying just north of the equator, the Celebes Sea is the center of the most biologically diverse area of the world's ocean. The goal of the mission is to learn more about this center of shallow water biodiversity by studying the fauna in the midwater realm and making extensive vertical surveys of the water column. Daily web logs, an RSS feed, "Ask the Explorer" and many other education resources are available on the site. Join the expedition online.
Project SeaCAMEL On November 12-14, 2007, Virginia Institute of Marine Science researcher Dr. Mark Patterson will lead a team of aquanauts on a three-day mission to study corals and sponges on Conch Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The research will be broadcast live online from the underwater lab Aquarius, along with six classroom modules, each covering a different topic of coral reef sciences for classrooms of all levels. Project SeaCAMEL is funded by the Living Oceans Foundation, and The Bridge is the educational outreach portal for the project. Visit online.
Biodiversity Heritage Library Ten major natural history museum libraries, botanical libraries, and research institutions have joined to form the Biodiversity Heritage Library Project. The group is developing a strategy and operational plan to digitize the published literature of biodiversity held in their respective collections and make it available through a global biodiversity commons. This site includes holdings of two NE institutions: Marine Biological Laboratory/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Library, and Harvard University. Visit online.
NASA Hurricane Education NASA has developed a website containing several educational tools on the subject of hurricanes, including posters, visualizations and graphics, and classroom activities. The website offers links to news, research, and educational materials.
USGS Learning Web The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the largest water, earth, biological science, and civilian mapping agency, and it provides some of this science information as educational materials on Learning Web. The product line includes a variety of teaching packets, booklets, posters, fact sheets, and CD-ROMs. There are also materials for students, including trivia games, clip art, homework help, and more. Lesson plan and activity topics currently include mud fossils, global change, and geological age, with additional topics planned for the future, including coastal storms and ecosystems. Visit online. |
| Policy Updates |
Mass Oceans Bill Update On September 27, the Massachusetts state Senate approved an Oceans Management Bill sponsored by Senator Robert O'Leary. The bill, which passed 33-0, now heads to the state House of Representatives. To download a map of ocean projects pending in Massachusetts' ocean water, the text of S. 2281 (the redraft of the original bill, S. 529), and fact sheets, visit Mass Ocean Action online. |
Jobs in New England (and beyond)
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Northeastern University Outreach Program Assistant The Marine Science Center at Northeastern University is looking for an Outreach Assistant. Job responsibilities include promoting,
scheduling and conducting outreach activities for K-12 students, teachers
and other constituencies. Contact Tracy Hajduk for more information. The full job description can be read on the Northeastern University Human Resource Management website.
Director of Education, Stamford Connecticut SoundWaters is seeking a Director of Education. SoundWaters is a non-profit education organization whose mission is to protect Long Island Sound through education. The Director of Education oversees the development and implementation of all education programs that take place aboard an 80-foot schooner; at the Coastal Education Center; in the field; and at local schools and community centers. SoundWaters' programs are directed to students of all ages. For more information visit online or contact Executive Director Leigh Shemitz. |
Requests
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Survey of Non-Profit Workers Elizabeth Millstein, a candidate for a Master of Management degree at Cambridge College, is conducting an independent learning project based on the mentoring of employees within non-profits. She has created a survey to understand the effects that either having or not having a mentoring program within a non-profit organization has on retention rate, job growth and job satisfaction. Anyone working for a non-profit is welcome to take the survey. The questionnaire should take about 5 minutes to complete. Participation is strictly voluntary. The questionnaire is confidential and the information collected will be kept secure. Should you decide to participate, click on the survey here. If you would like to see the results of the survey or have questions, contact Elizabeth here.
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Seminars, Workshops, Online Courses
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Register Now for Oceans ā la Carte University of Rhode Island's Office of Marine Programs presents this full menu of presentations and workshop sessions for educators, the public, and interested scientists, on Saturday, October 27, 2007, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, at the Coastal Institute, URI's Narragansett Bay Campus. Choose from a variety of presentations by leading scientists, hands-on activities, and content information sessions. Free materials from NOAA and URI's Office of Marine Programs will be available to participants. The focus of the presentations and workshops will be on Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs). Pre-registration and pre-payment by credit card, check, or cash is required and the regstration deadline is October 19. Visit online for a downloadable registration form and more information.
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Conferences
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Joint Assembly RFP The
2008 Joint Assembly, a partnership among American Geophysical Union and
many other organizations, will be held May 27-30, 2008 in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. Members of the Earth and space sciences community
are invited to propose a session for the conference. Session proposals
may be submitted to any of the existing disciplines, including
education and human resources, ocean sciences, and many more. Proposals
must focus on scientific results and/or their applications. The
deadline for submission is October 31, 2007. Learn more online.
NSTA 2008-2009 Conferences Proposals are invited for NSTA's 2008-2009 conferences. Area conferences include Charlotte, North Carolina (Oct. 30-Nov. 1); Portland, Oregon (Nov. 20-22); and Cincinnati, Ohio (Dec. 4-6). In 2009 NSTA will hold its national conference in New Orleans, LA (March 19-22). Deadlines for submissions are January 15, 2008, for the 2008 area conferences, and April 15, 2008, for the New Orleans National Conference. For more information, visit the conferences area of the NSTA website.
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Student Opportunities
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QuikSCience Challenge The USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies and Quiksilver, Inc. are sponsors of the QuickSCience Challenge. Students from Connecticut are eligible for the QuikSCience East awards.
The multi-faceted competition for student teams is designed to spark
their interest in science and the oceans and seeks to foster leadership
qualities in young people through environmental awareness and
stewardship. For more information visit online.
Alaska SeaLife Center Internships Alaska SeaLife Center is now recruiting for education internships. These are full time positions for sixteen weeks, February 25 - June 13 and May 12 - August 29. Applicants must be currently enrolled in or a recent
graduate of an accredited college or university with a primary area of
study in the field of Interpretation, Education, Environmental Studies,
Biology, Oceanography or related field.
For full job description and application form visit the website.
International Fisheries Internship The Nature Conservancy's South America Marine Program is seeking applicants with an undergraduate degree for an International Fisheries Internship. The selected candidate will be expected to do research on the demand for fishmeal from the anchovy fishing industry in Peru and Chile, as well as on other international fisheries issues. Ability to read documents in Spanish is a plus. The internship will be based in Arlington, Virginia. Contact Anthony Chatwin, Ph.D.
Tropical Marine Ecology Internship The Council on International Educational Exchange Tropical Marine Ecology and Conservation Program in Bonaire is a study-abroad program for undergraduate students. The internship dates are January 13-May 10, 2008. The deadline for application is November 1, 2007. More information is available online.
Sea Grant/NMFS Joint Fellowships National Sea Grant is seeking applicants for the Population Dynamics and Marine Resource Economics Graduate Fellowship. The Fisheries Fellowship is available to U.S. citizens enrolled in Ph.D. degree programs in the United States and its territories. Applications are due by January 25, 2008.
Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program NOAA's
Ernest F. Hollings scholarship program provides selected undergraduate
applicants with awards that include academic assistance for full-time
study and a full-time internship position during the summer at a
NOAA or partner facility. The deadline for application is
February 9, 2008. Learn more online.
Marine Policy Fellowships National Sea Grant is accepting applications for the 2009 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program. This one-year program is open to any student, regardless of citizenship, who is enrolled in a graduate or professional program in a marine or aquatic-related field at a U.S.-accredited institution of higher education. The program, sponsored by the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program, matches highly qualified graduate students with hosts in the legislative and executive branches of government located in the Washington, DC area, for a one year paid fellowship. Applications are due by February 29, 2008.
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Events
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Marine Science Center Open House On Saturday October 6 the Northeastern University Marine Science Center in Nahant (MA) is hosting its annual Open House in association with CoastWeeks 2007. Come spend the day on guided tidepool and geology walks, handle marine animals in the touch tanks, and walk the grounds. Contact Tracy Hajduk for more information or visit online.
Marine Science Center Lecture Series The Northeastern University Marine Science Center presents Penguin Rescue with Dyan deNapoli on Tuesday, October 16 at 7:00pm. This presentation chronicles the rescue and rehabilitation of 20,000 penguins that were caught in an oil spill off South Africa. This lecture is free to the public. Visit online.
Friends of Casco Bay Celebration On Sunday, October 21st, 2007, Friends of Casco Bay will host a gala 35th anniversary celebration of the Clean Water Act with special guest speaker Terry Tamminen. Terry will apply lessons learned from the Clean Water Act to confronting Global Climate Change. The event will take place at the University of Southern Maine's Portland campus. For more nformation visit online.
Ocean Motion Program for Families Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam and the Science of Ocean Motion will be presented at the Harvard Museum of Natural History on Sunday, November 18 at 2:00 pm. Join author Loree Griffin Burn as she tells the story of scientists who track trash spilled into the ocean, such as sneakers and rubber ducks that have drifted thousands of miles, from the Pacific into the Atlantic. Find out what they've discovered and how they're using this science. For more information visit the museum website.
Ecosystem-Based Management Toolkit Training This training workshop, Sunday November 4, 1-5 PM in Providence, Rhode Island, is offered in conjunction with the Estuarine Research Federation Meeting. It will provide an overview, including live demonstrations of technology tools that can be used to help implement ecosystem-based management (EBM) in coastal-marine environments and their watersheds. Registration for this training is free for Estuarine Research Federation Meeting registrants. Click here to learn more about the conference or contact Sarah Carr, the EBM Tools Network Coordinator. |
NEwswave Schedule
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The next issue of NEwswave will be sent October 18, 2007. Please send announcements and news to the editor, Catherine Cramer.
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Include Your News in NEwswave!
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Send news and announcements of interest to the New England Ocean Science Education community to the editor, Catherine Cramer.
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Real-Time Data Links
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Windows Around the World connects students with other participating elementary school classrooms around the world via real-time data gathered outside their windows. Visit Windows Around the World.
The COSEE-NE program OSEI is focusing this year on the use of real-time data in the classroom. Connect to real-time data links here! |
NOAA Smart Buoy The
NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office has deployed its third "smart buoy" as part
of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. The buoy
is positioned at the mouth of the Patapsco River, near Baltimore, MD,
and is the third observation platform to be launched this summer as
part of the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System. The buoys collect
meteorological and water-quality data as well as information on waves
and currents, via a system of sensors, which then transmits the
information to the Web in real time via a high-speed data network.
These measurements, as well as historical and cultural information
about the bay, can be accessed online.
Coastal Ocean Observing Center The
Coastal Ocean Observing Center at the University of New Hampshire has
developed and implemented a system for monitoring the linked oceanic
and estuarine ecosystem in their region. The website includes data, educational
materials, publications, news, and more. A variety of lesson plans and
activities can help integrate ocean observing data and tools into
the classroom, and includes an image viewer and analysis tool for
satellite images. Information on teacher workshops and resources are
also included. Visit online.
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ESIP Monitoring Map
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The Ecosystem Indicator Partnership (ESIP) is integrating regional data for a new web-based reporting system for
marine ecosystem monitoring in the Gulf of Maine. ESIP has released a new version of the ESIP Monitoring Map, an interactive tool to consolidate information.
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Subscribe to the Gulf of Maine Monitor
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For access to ocean observing research and issues in the Gulf of Maine, read the Gulf of Maine Monitor, published quarterly by the UNH Coastal Ocean Observing Center and free of charge. Subscribe online.
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SENEME Fall Conference
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SouthEastern New Engand Marine Educators (SENEME) is holding its fall conference and annual meeting on October 13, 2007, at Project Oceanology, at UConn, Groton Conecticut. For more information visit the SENEME website.
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Boston Harbor Educators' Conference
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The 2007 Boston Harbor Educators' Conference will be held on Saturday October 13 at UMass Boston. This year's conference wil focus on Stellwagen Bank and the 15th anniversary of the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. For registration information visit the Massachusetts Marine Educators website or contact Peg Collins.
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Video of Note
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Oceanography Rap on YouTube!
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Who said ocean science was boring? Take a music-filled cruise with students and researchers on this short video recently posted on YouTube. Click here.
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New from Oceanus
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Innovative Collaboration with WHOI Scientist
A visually impaired researcher, Amy Bowers, talks about teaming up with the Perkins School for the Blind to share her research with students. Read the interview in Oceanus.
Pilot Study Examines Ciguatera Fish Poisoning Little is known about the harmful alga that commonly causes seafood poisoning.
Read the article.
New Wrinkles in the Fabric of the Seafloor An
overlooked seafloor feature may have a key role in the formation of new
ocean crust. WHOI geophysicist Debbie Smith described how she was
looking to solve one puzzle, and may have serendipitously found clues
that shed light on an even larger mystery: how the ocean's crust forms
and evolves to shape the face of the planet. Read the whole story in Oceanus.
Interrogating the Great Ocean Conveyor
Is the Atlantic's circulation slowing down? Moorings in rough waters monitor the ocean's pulse. Read more in WHOI's Oceanus. |
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SeaWeb Marine Science Review
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SeaWeb's Marine Science Review has recently published issues focusing on pollution, aquaculture and fisheries. To subscribe, click here.
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Mass Bays Newsletter
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Massachusetts Bays Window, the quarterly eNewsletter from the Massachusetts Bays Program (MBP), is now online. This issue features a piece on the rapid assessment survey for invasive species conducted along the Commonwealth's coast in July. To receive future issues, send a blank email.
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Include Your News in NEwswave
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| Send your news and announcements of interest to the New England ocean science education community to the editor, Catherine Cramer. |
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