COSEE-New England
NEwswave
The Newsletter of COSEE-NE



November 15, 2007

vol 4, no 11


In This Issue
Reports, Publications and Announcements
Online Ocean Education Resources
Policy Updates
Jobs in New England
Requests
Seminars, Workshops, Online Courses
Conferences
Student Opportunities
Events
NEwswave Schedule
Reports, Publications and Announcements

Publication for Elementary School Principals NSTA announces a new electronic publication, Scientific Principals, dedicated to helping elementary school principals to help their teachers in science. Scientific Principals offers a science toolbox full of new ideas and practical applications. To sign up for this complimentary, monthly e-newsletter visit online

Cultivating Math and Science Teachers for High-need School Districts Noyce Scholarship Program aims to elevate the teaching profession while preparing teachers for success. More information available online.

NSF's ADVANCE Program NSF's ADVANCE program seeks to improve the environment for female science and engineering faculty at academic institutions. Since the program's inception in 2001, ADVANCE funding has gone to 58 institutions in 36 states. Across-the-board increases in the number of women faculty and advancement toward salary and promotional parity have been reported by ADVANCE campuses. For more information on ADVANCE, please visit the program website.

Hydrothermal Vents: Hot Spots of Microbial Diversity
Many thousands of new kinds of marine microbes have been discovered at deep-sea hydrothermal vents by research crews all over the world. Recently, additional thousands have been discovered in two vents off the Oregon coast by scientists at the MBL (Marine Biological Laboratory) and University of Washington's Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Ocean. Their findings, published in the October 5 issue of the journal Science, are the result of the most comprehensive, comparative study to date of deep-sea microbial communities that are responsible for cycling carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur to help keep Earth habitable. Read more online.

Creativity in STEM Education Continuing to focus on creativity as a goal for student learning in STEM fields, PKAL invites your attention to how the goal of creativity is addressed in the academic program at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Read the report.This PKAL series on student learning goals is a work-in-progress. The intent is to capture diverse and compelling examples of what works in having goals for student learning that reflect institutional mission and vision and are reflected in curricular, pedagogical, and assessment practices. Further examples of practices addressing creativity as a student learning goal are welcome.

NOAA Fisheries Names Top Research Priorities NOAA Fisheries has published the top science and research priorities its scientists will follow for the next three years. Documented in the latest Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research, the agency places an increased emphasis on managing fish stocks not as isolated populations, but rather linked together and influenced by the marine ecosystems that they inhabit. Additionally, the plan stresses the need for continued development of advanced technologies such as acoustic techniques, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and submersible research to directly evaluate deepwater fisheries and their habitat.
Online Ocean Education Resources

New VentureDeepOcean website Since its launch in 2005, the VentureDeepOcean website has shared the excitement of mid-ocean ridge and hydrothermal vent exploration with audiences around the world. Designed as an information portal, the site features current scientific research and cruises, the latest deep-sea news, background information and images, photostories, and access to additional relevant resources. Visit the new VentureDeepOcean site.

NASA's Earth Science Education Catalog The complete listing of earth science education programs, products and resources, along with NASA-wide resources for educators, is provided in this online catalog. The Elementary and Secondary, Higher Education, and Informal Education sections feature regional and national programs. Visit online.

Environmental Science Videos Annenberg Media offers a new video series in environmental science, The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science. The 13 programs will guide viewers through topics including the atmosphere, oceans, and ecosystems, as well as the impact of human activities and population growth on water and food resources, biodiversity, energy use, and global pollution. The course materials were created in association with the Harvard University Center for the Environment. Explore online.

NASA Earth Sciences Expert Directory The NASA scientists and NASA-funded researchers in this expert directory represent over 30 scientific disciplines, from oceanography and ecosystems to natural hazards and global climate change. In addition, each expert has expressed an interest in working with the news media. Search by research area or name.


Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure Movie National Geographic and the National Science Foundation present Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure Movie. The accompanying website provides photos and video clips from the movie about creatures that roamed the seas 82 million years ago. Visit the
website (Sea Monsters is currently playing at the New England Aquarium! See sidebar for more information.)

Teachers' Domain Resources Teachers' Domain introduces Open Education Resources. Download, share, or re-mix video segments, interactive activities, and lesson plans. The materials let you shape and adapt content to meet your teaching needs. Resources include biogeochemical cycles, natural resources, ecosystems, ocean characteristics, climate, and much more. Visit online.

REEF Website RedesignThe Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) is a grass-roots organization that seeks to conserve marine ecosystems by educating, enlisting, and enabling divers and other marine enthusiasts to become active ocean stewards and citizen scientists.  REEF announces the launch of the redesigned website with a new look, enhanced features, and fresh content.  

Online Weather Course The American Meteorological Society is again offering an online weather course for K-12 teachers. It is free and offers 3-units of graduate credits along with many educational materials for the classroom. DataStreme Atmosphere is a precollege teacher enhancement program of the AMS/NOAA Cooperative Program for Earth System Education (CPESE). Teachers who are members of groups traditionally under-represented in the sciences, or teachers who are teaching in schools with large numbers of students from groups traditionally under-represented in the sciences, are especially urged to apply. Visit the website for more information.
 Policy  Updates

Senate Committee Approves Law of the Sea Treaty The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the 1982 United Nations Law of the Sea treaty on a 17-4 vote. The action clears the way for a first-ever Senate floor vote where the 25-year-old treaty, which has been ratified by more than 150 countries, must pass by two-thirds majority to be ratified. The treaty is the first comprehensive, enforceable international environmental law covering all forms of marine pollution, including the airspace above and the sea bed and subsoil below. President Bush has urged Senate action on the treaty, and numerous high officials of his and earlier administrations have testified in its support arguing that ratification will allow the United States to take part in leading cooperative efforts to protect the marine environment, guarantee freedom of passage for naval vessels, and give Washington a seat at the table in negotiations on exploiting the oceans' mineral wealth.
Jobs in New England (and beyond)

Executive Director Kennebunk Maine  The Kennebunk Improvement Association (KBIA) is a community-based, not for-profit organization that offers summer recreational and enrichment programs for children in Kennebunk Beach, Maine. KBIA is looking for an Executive Director, who will be responsible for the overall management and day-to-day operations. The KBIA is a summer program that runs from mid-June thru August and serves over 600 children, ages ranging from 4-18. The Executive Director position is full-time in the summer but offers reduced flexible hours in the off-season. For more information visit the website.

American Cetacean Society Director The world's oldest whale, dolphin, and porpoise education and conservation organization seeks a dynamic non-profit leader. For a full job description and application instructions, visit the ACS website.

CSO Seeks Policy Analyst to Join Staff The Coastal States Organization (CSO) is seeking a Policy Analyst to provide substantive review, analysis, advice and advocacy on congressional legislation, executive agency regulations and other initiatives related to the nation's coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes. CSO is a small D.C. non-profit association that represents the interests of the Governors of the thirty-five coastal states and territories. Job responsibilities include: performing legislative and regulatory research; staffing CSO Work Groups to develop policies on behalf of the coastal states; assisting with the development of communication materials; helping to plan and organize annual Board meetings; and assisting the Executive Director with key initiatives. A full position description can be found online.

Dive Coordinator for North Carolina Aquarium  The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher seeks a Dive Coordinator, who supervises and coordinates all dive planning and dives within the Aquarium and in open water. Certification as a diving instructor from a nationally recognized organization (NAUI, PADI, YMCA, or other organization) is required. Visit
online for more information.

Information & Communications Specialist for North Carolina Aquarium This position will function as the Public Relations Coordinator for the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Visit
online for more information.
Requests

Science Fair Judges Needed
Boston Public Schools, Department of Science is looking for judges for their Science Fair. The fair wil be held March 8, 2008 at Northeastern University for Grades 6 - 12. Contact
Maryann Benda if you or your colleagues are interested in judging.

Seeking Teachers to Pre-Test Estuaries 101 Curriculum Estuaries 101 curriculum materials were developed at TERC, a nonprofit educational research and development organization, under the guidance and direction NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). They seek high school teachers to pre-test this draft curriculum and provide feedback via an online survey. The website includes information about the development of the curriculum, background information, and how to participate in the pre-test.  The completed high school Estuaries 101 curriculum will be finalized in the spring of 2008. Visit online.
Seminars, Workshops, Online Courses

Topics in Oceanography Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution invites you to the latest Topics in Oceanography, for a presentation about using sediment cores to find and investigate ancient hurricanes, and what it can reveal about climate, the ocean, and El Nino. The workshop is Friday, November 30, 2007, 9:30-3:30, at the WHOI Exhibit Center in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Lunch, hands-on activities, and PDP certificates provided. For information, and to register, visit online , or contact Stephanie Murphy, Registration fee $40. 

ARMADA Project - Research and Mentoring Experiences for Teachers The University of Rhode Island's Office of Marine Programs is now accepting applications for the ARMADA Project - Research and Mentoring Experiences for Teachers. The ARMADA Project provides K-12 teachers an opportunity to actively participate in ocean, polar, and environmental science research and peer mentoring. Selected Master Teachers (with five or more years teaching experience) are paired with leading scientists and participate in shipboard, field, or laboratory research with all expenses paid. For more information about teacher qualifications, responsibilities, and to download an application, see the ARMADA Project website or contact Andrea Kecskes.

NASA/NSTA Web Seminars Join NASA and NSTA for two free Web seminars Inquiry in Science and Mathematics Education: Parents as Partners featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. Designed for educators of grades K-6, the seminars will focus on how educators can better engage parents and enlist their support for inquiry-based science and mathematics education. The presenters will share their expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding Web sites that students can use in the classroom. Seminars in this series are scheduled for Nov. 20 and Dec. 12, 2007. Each seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Online registration for each is now open.

IPY/NSTA Web Seminars Join NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation and the National Science Teachers Association for two free Web seminars: The Role of Polar Regions in Earth's Changing Climate System. The seminars are designed for educators of grades 5-8. The sessions will focus on the interaction of polar regions with Earth's climate system, atmospheric gas changes over Earth's history, what ice cores tell about past climate, and the implications of climate change in the polar regions. The presenters will share their expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding Web sites that students can use in the classroom. The Web seminars in this series are scheduled for Nov. 27 and Dec. 13, 2007. Each seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Online registration for each is now open.

NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program Gain first-hand research experience on a government ocean research vessel. NOAA's Teacher at Sea program gives teachers a clearer insight into our ocean planet and a greater understanding of maritime work and studies, and fosters an interdisciplinary educational experience that provides a unique environment for learning and teaching.  The program is for currently employed K-16 teachers. The deadline for application is December 31, 2007. More information is available online.

Conferences

American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting The theme of the American Meteorological Society's (AMS) annual meeting, January 20-24, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana, is Enhancing the Connectivity between Research and Applications for the Benefit of Society. This topic will shape our weather, ocean, climate, and environmental enterprise for many years to come. There will be a special two-day Hurricane Symposium, career fair, short courses, and much more. The AMS Student Conference will be held January 19-20, 2007 at the same location. More information online.
Student Opportunities

Apprentice Ecologist Initiative The Apprentice Ecologist Initiative is engaging youth, parents, and teachers from around the world in environmental stewardship and conservation projects. The goals of the initiative are to elevate young people (especially at-risk and low-income kids and teens) into leadership roles by engaging them in environmental stewardship projects, empower volunteers to rebuild the environmental and social well-being of our communities, and improve local living conditions for both citizens and wildlife.  The annual cycle runs January 1-December 31. More information available online.

Knauss Fellowship The Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational experience to students who have an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program matches highly qualified graduate students with hosts in the legislative and executive branch of government located in the Washington, D.C. area, for a one-year paid fellowship. The deadline for application is February 29, 2008. More information online.

Science and Technology Policy Fellowships The American Association for the Advancement of Science is recruiting for Science and Technology Policy Fellowships. These year-long fellowships provide scientists and engineers with a unique public policy learning experience and an opportunity to apply their knowledge and analytical skills to national and international issues in the policy realm.  Opportunities are available with Congress and other agencies, including NOAA, NSF, EPA, and more. The deadline for application is December 20, 2007. Visit online.

Seaspace Scholarships Seaspace, Inc., an annual underwater film festival, symposium, and exposition, offers marine-related scholarships. The Seaspace Permanent Education Fund earnings and private donations endow undergraduate and graduate scholarships specifically in support of marine-related courses of study. The deadline for application is February 1, 2008. More online.

Youinnovate21 - It's Your Environment Challenge This contest is open to students in grades 6-10. The contest involves environmental innovation through a four-stage process: exploration, creation, solution, and expansion.  The deadline for submission is December 15, 2007. More online.

MATE Center 2008 ROV Competition The Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center and the Marine Technology Society's ROV Committee 2008 International Student ROV Competition will be held June 26 - 28, 2008 at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography - University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The competition will focus on hydrothermal vents and is being held in partnership with Ridge 2000, an interdisciplinary research program designed to study the biology, chemistry, geology, and geophysics of Earth's ocean ridge systems. The MATE Center's ROV competition is designed to present middle school, high school, community college, and university students with the same types of challenges that scientists and engineers face when working in these extreme environments. For more information, visit online.


Events

We are happy to include events from around the New England region. If you would like your organization's event published here, please send the information to the editor, Catherine Cramer. Thanks!

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary hosts seal and seabird cruises, November 17, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and November 24, 12:30-2:30 p.m. leaving from Wellfleet Harbor. Registration required. Contact Melissa Lowe.

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.
NEwswave Schedule

The next issue of NEwswave will be sent November 29, 2007. Please send announcements and news to the editor, Catherine Cramer.
Include Your News in NEwswave!
Send news and announcements of interest to the New England Ocean Science Education community to the editor, Catherine Cramer.
















Website of Note
Online Auction to Benefit The New England Aquarium
Welcome to the Blue Planet Online Auction! Proceeds from the auction will support the Aquarium's education and community programs.
The auction will run until December 4, 2007. Auction items range from vacation getaways to special packages guaranteed to delight and surprise. Visit the

 Online Auction


 

  

Featured Video
Project SeaCamel
The Living Oceans Foundation has been conducting and broadcasting six live "underwater classrooms" this week, taking place sixty feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean on the coral reefs of the Florida Keys. During the broadcasts scientists and videographers lived  in NOAA's Aquarius habitat, called America's "inner space station". Watch the many YouTube videos from the project here.
 





Featured Audio from Marine Biological Laboratory

MBL Bay Paul Center Assistant Scientist Julie Huber interviewed on Science Friday (NPR)
Huber discusses deep sea biodiversity on the weekly science talk show Science Friday

Friday Evening MBL Lecture Series Podcasts Now Available
Video podcasts of Friday Evening Lectures are now available online. Additional lectures from the 2007 season are being added, so check the site frequently. The podcasts are best viewed in the latest version of Internet Explorer.





Sea Monsters at NEAq!
The movie Sea Monsters is currently playing at NEAq's IMAX theater. Visit here for more information. There are also opportunities for teachers to preview IMAX films; if interested, sign up here.







Digital Image Library
Digital Image Library
The USGS-National Biological Information Infrastructure offers a new website for its rapidly growing Digital Image Library.  Containing thousands of images donated by photographers and organizations, the library links images to detailed information such as location, scientific and common names, and habitat and behavior descriptions to support research, education, and decision-making.  Currently offering 30,000 images, the website allows multiple ways to browse the collections and select images.  Additional tools are being developed to support advanced searching, related content discovery, collaboration, and more.
Visit the library

   

   


Yale Climate Change Forum
Yale Forum on Climate Change and the Media
is an 
online publication and forum designed to foster dialogue on climate change among scientists, journalists, policymakers, and the public.





MBL's Biological Bulletin
The October issue of The Bilogical Bulletin is now available on the Bulletin's website.




Ecosystems Management Newsletter
New Marine Ecosystems and Management Newsletter  The first issue of Marine Ecosystems and Management, a new quarterly newsletter on marine ecosystem-based management worldwide, is now available.










New from Oceanus
Fertilizing the Ocean With Iron
Scientists, policymakers, economists, and environmental advocates gathered at a symposium at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to iron out the uncertainties of fertilizing the oceans with iron as a means to mediate global warming.

Coral Catastrophe

A research team has found that deep-sea coral communities that provide lush habitats for fish and other marine life were extensively damaged, mostly likely by deep-sea fishing trawlers, atop two undersea mountains in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Fishing trawlers likely caused extensive damage to deep sea coral communities
As coastal fish stocks dwindle, deep-sea habitats in unregulated international waters become more viable for fishing and more vulnerable to destruction.


.







Marine Sanctuaries News
National Marine Sanctuaries Online News
The National Marine Sanctuary Program offers a monthly e-newsletter to keep subscribers informed about the many program activities and accomplishments that take place within the national marine sanctuaries and marine national monument. The website allows visitors to download several past issues of the printed newsletter and instructions on how to subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter.
 Visit the
website.








SeaWeb  Ocean Update
SeaWeb Ocean Update has just published a new issue. To view, visit online.

SeaWeb's Marine Science Review
on climate and climate change has just been published and is available here
. For coral and coral reefs visit here.

To view all of SeaWeb's reports, incuding new reports on fisheries and coral reefs, visit here.








Gulf of Maine Monitor
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.


















Include Your News in NEwswave
Send your news and announcements of interest to the New England ocean science education community to the editor, Catherine Cramer.


 
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