COSEE-New England


NEwswave
The Newsletter of COSEE-NE



March 26, 2008

vol 5, no 6


In This Issue
COSEE-NE and NEOSEC News
Reports, Publications and Announcements
News from Washington
Online Ocean Education Resources
Jobs in New England
Grants and Awards
Seminars, Workshops, Online Courses
Conferences
Student Opportunities
Requests
Events
NEwswave Schedule
COSEE-NE and NEOSEC News

COSEE at NSTA On Saturday, March 30, as part of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) conference in Boston, at the Convention and Exhibition Center, there will be a full day of COSEE-related presentations. At 11:00 am, Diana Payne and Lauren Rader will present an overview of the New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative (NEOSEC), including the common mission and goals, operating
procedures, and the successes and shortcomings of the inaugural Ocean Science Literacy summit and plans for the next one. Anyone interested in joining the organization, starting a similar local, regional, or national partnership, or learning about translating research into educational materials is encourage to attend this presentation. Then at 2:00 pm, Harold McWilliams will present COSEE-NE's program Telling Your Story, Bringing Authentic Ocean Science to the Classroom. All COSEE presentations will take place in the Provincetown Room. For more information on the conference and the schedule, visit online.

Telling Your Story at UMaine The Census of Marine Life-Gulf of Maine Area Program at the University of Southern Maine and COSEE-NE invite K-12 teachers, scientists, researchers and graduate students in marine or aquatic sciences to a Telling Your Story workshop, Thursday, May 29, 2008, 10am-3pm, at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, 350 Commercial Street, Portland, Maine. This is a regional workshop designed to strengthen the ties between science and education in order to promote ocean literacy in the Gulf of Maine. A program developed by COSEE-NE, Telling Your Story workshops have been held throughout New England since 2004 - at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Northeastern University, UMass-Boston and UConn-Avery Point. These workshops have been attended by leading scientists and educators throughout the region and have helped to establish successful relationships between the people on the cutting edge of science with those on the leading edge of education. By combining these forces, the science being done today can be in the classrooms tomorrow. This workshop is free but registration is required as space is limited. To RSVP by Thursday, May 15, or for more details, email [email protected].
Reports, Publications and Announcements

NOAA Deep Sea Coral Research On March 13, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the first report to Congress on the Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program called for in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (MSRA). The report, prepared under NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program and in consultation with the Nation's eight Regional Fishery Management Councils, provides information on steps taken by NOAA and partners to identify, monitor, and protect deep sea coral areas. Download the report.

News from Washington

Ocean Observing Bill Advances The House Natural Resources Committee held a mark-up session on seven bills, including H.R. 2342, a bill that would formally authorize the National Integrated Oceans Observing System. The program, designed to feed data from U.S. coastal waters and the Great Lakes into the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, was designed to continually monitor the global environment and improve environmental forecasts. The bill passed the committee under unanimous consent.
Online Ocean Education Resources

Coral Reef Video Clips ReefVid is a resource of free coral reef videos available for download and educational use. Choose from a database of over 500 clips collected by Dr. Peter Mumby of the University of Exeter, UK.

Coral Reef Online Tutorial NOAA Coral Reef Watch presents an
online tutorial that takes the reader through coral bleaching, satellite technology, and how NOAA uses satellite data to monitor for the conditions that cause bleaching. There are also hands-on exercises to test yourself on what you've learned, and show you where to find data on the website. Non-technical language is used so that the resource will be useful for students and teachers, or anyone else who wants to learn more about coral reefs and satellite technology. The lessons are tied to the U.S. National Science Education standards for use in the classroom.

National Marine Sanctuary Program's Ocean Guardian Kid's Club NOAA issues an invitation to become a member of the National Marine Sanctuary Program's Ocean Guardian Kid's Club. The club offers children an opportunity to express their insights, observations and understanding of their natural environment through the creation of original stories, poetry and visual art. All K-8 students are eligible and encouraged to join. You may also download a copy of the Ocean Guardian Activity Book created by the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine Debris Program. The activity book is appropriate for children in Kindergarten through third grade.

Land, Sea, and Air Newsletter SeaWorld's website
contains lots of information and resources for teachers. SeaWorld also publishes an online newsletter, Land, Sea, and Air. View a copy and subscribe.
Jobs in New England (and beyond)

Summer Science Teachers, Cape Cod The Children's School of Science (CSS) in Woods Hole, MA is seeking talented and motivated teachers for its summer 2008 session in Seashore Life, Marine Biology, Entomology, Ichthyology, Microbial Life and Photography. Three- and six-week courses meet every weekday for ninety minutes. Applicants to CSS normally have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science or Arts in a scientific specialty; however, the school considers applicants with alternative qualifications. Contact Karen Schwalbe for more information.

Whale Watch Naturalist and Interns, Massachusetts Cape Ann Whale Watch and Ocean Alliance are looking for a naturalist and interns for the 2008 whale watch season. Cape Ann Whale Watch has been running half-day whale watch excursions out of Gloucester, MA for 29 years, and are affiliated with Ocean Alliance, a non-profit organization. Trips go to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, last 3-5 hours, and typically watch humpbacks, minkes, and fin whales. There is one naturalist and at least two interns on every trip. For information contact [email protected]

Executive Director, Boston The Museum Institute for Teaching Science (MITS) is looking for an Executive Director.  The Executive Director is responsible to the Board of Trustees for day-to-day operations, including but not limited to: grant writing, overseeing programs with the Program Director, and helping to edit publications. MITS is located in Boston and coordinates 47 museums to present a two-week Summer Institute for up to 400 K-8 teachers in inquiry-based, hands-on, minds-on science; publishes a quarterly teacher resource; and presents several winter professional development seminars for museum educators. For more information contact Emily V. Wade.

Program Assistant, Rhode Island The Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting has a position opening for a part-time Program Assistant. The Assistant will conduct independent research and compose formal communications in support of Metcalf Institute projects; assist in developing a strategic outreach program for Metcalf Institute; and assist in the implementation of endowment and grant-funded activities of the Metcalf Institute. A full description and instructions for applying are found at the University of Rhode Island's Human Resources webpage, in the Employment Opportunities posted on 3/17/08. The URI job title is Marine Research Specialist I.

Spring Environmental Education Positions, New Hampshire The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has openings in New Hampshire for environmental educators. The AMC's Mountain Classroom program is a hands-on, experiential education program designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and their relationship to it. Public, private, and home-schooled groups participate in 1-5 day programs based at Pinkham Notch Visitors' Center, The Highland Center, Cardigan Lodge, the AMC's backcountry huts, and in local schools and communities. Programs include forest and watershed ecology, map and compass, geology, outdoor skills, teambuilding, and Leave-No-Trace ethics. Spring, summer and fall opportunities are available. For more information visit online.

Marine Science Instructors, Florida Seacamp, a non-profit organization offering a marine science/SCUBA residential camp and day camp for teenagers during the summer and an experiential marine science program during the school year, has openings for summer marine science instructors. Established in 1966, it is located near the most extensive coral reef in the continental United States, in the middle of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. For more information about Seacamp programs visit online.

Environmental Educator, North Carolina The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Hertage Center on Harkers Island, NC, next to the Cape National Seashore Headquarters, is looking for an environmental educator to develop and present educational programs to the public and tour groups. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Grants, Fellowships and Awards

NOAA B-WET Funding NOAA's Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) provides grants in support of locally relevant experiential learning through meaningful watershed educational experiences in the K-12 environment. The B-WET program will be expanding in 2008 to three new regions: Northeast, Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Northwest. Funding will be available for projects that involve meaningful watershed educational experiences addressing regional priorities. Annual project funding ranges from $50,000-$100,000. Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. on April 16, 2008.  See the Federal Funding Opportunity for details. (Funding Opportunity Number SEC-OED-2008-2001368).  Note that it is very important for potential applicants to register ASAP. The opportunity will only be open for 30 days, and it can take several weeks to complete the registration process. See the national program web site for more information, or contact [email protected]

Deep Earth Academy Teacher Fellowship  The Consortium for Ocean Leadership is seeking an enthusiastic teacher for a one-year fellowship in Washington, DC. The teacher will work with Deep Earth Academy staff to develop ocean science curricula, produce teacher-training workshops, maintain communication within a community of educators and assist with conference logistics.
For more information visit Deep Earth Academy.

The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program encourages talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science teachers. The program provides funds to institutions of higher education to support scholarships, stipends, and programs for students who commit to teaching in high-need K-12 school districts.  
Seminars, Workshops, Online Courses

Ocean Observing Institute for Educators at UNH
The University of New Hampshire Coastal Observing Center, the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS) and Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence-Ocean Systems (COSEE-OS), present: Linking the Ocean to the Classroom, Understanding Seasonal Change in the Ocean Using Ocean Observing Data. The workshop will be held at the University of New Hampshire July 7-11, 2008 and offered to 20 teachers who teach grades 7-12. This educator institute will focus on understanding how ocean observing data can explain seasonal changes in the ocean. Teachers will collect data at sea, learn how to interpret various types of ocean observing data, and practice using cutting edge materials that connect the ocean to the larger earth/sun system. This workshop aims to provide a deeper understanding of how the Gulf of Maine works, how it changes and how we can monitor these changes through studying ocean observing data. For more information visit online.
If you are interested in participating in this workshop, submit either the online application form or send application and requested workshop materials to Mark Wiley. The  application deadline is April 25, 2008.
Conferences
International Pacific Marine Educators Network  Conference The International Pacific Marine Educators Network Conference (IPMEN) will take place in Townsville, Australia, October 16-21, 2008. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, NMEA, COSEE, College of Exploration, Lawrence Hall of Science, Nautilus Educational and many others are working to ensure that it will be a great meeting. There will be special themes on ocean literacy, traditional knowledge (learning from elders) and youth programs. The call for presentations is out now, and you will be able to register soon. Check the website.

NSTA 2009 Proposals Proposals are now being accepted online for the NSTA 2009 New Orleans National Conference on Science Education, March 19-22, 2009. Visit the online submission page to submit your proposal for the New Orleans conference. The deadline is April 15, 2008.

International Marine Conservation Congress Call for Papers The Marine Section of the Society for Conservation Biology will be hosting its first stand-alone meeting, the International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC), May 20-24, 2009, at George Mason University. This will be an interdisciplinary meeting that will engage natural and social scientists, managers, policy-makers, and the public. The goal of the IMCC is to put conservation science into practice through public and media outreach and the development of concrete products (e.g., policy briefs, blue ribbon position papers) that will be used to drive policy change and implementation. IMCC encourages authors to submit papers that apply to the major themes: Global Climate Change, the Land-Sea Interface, Ecosystem Based Management, and Poverty and Globalization. Cross-cutting issues encompass topics of global relevance and importance to marine conservation that relate to the major themes. For more information visit
online or email [email protected]
Student Opportunities

Marine Program Intern, Massachusetts
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has an opening for a Marine Program Intern. The Intern will support TNC conservation goals for the Marine Program in the Massachusetts Chapter office in Boston. This is an unpaid, part-time internship to begin no earlier than May 15, 2008 and end no later than September 15, 2008.  Start and end dates are negotiable. Visit online for the full position description.

Earth Day Photo Contest for Middle School
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies is sponsoring an Earth Day photo contest for middle school students. Interested students are asked to photograph something that is changing in their local environment. They are to take the photo between Tuesday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 29. The change could be occurring in the student's backyard, outside the student's school, in a local park or even off in the distance. Participants must research and write an explanation of the change documented in the photograph. The contest is open to all U.S. students in grades 5-8. Entries must be received by email or postmarked by May 9, 2008. For more information about the contest and how teachers can use it in the classroom, visit online. If you have questions about the contest, email your inquiries to [email protected].

Sea Education Association Seminars Sea Education Association (SEA) offers three-week seminars for high school students: Science at SEA, Oceanography in the Gulf of Maine and Oceanography of the Southern California Bight. Apply online.

Northeastern University's Marine Science Center
is hosting a
Coastal Ocean Science Academy for students entering 9th or 10th grade in the fall of 2008. The Academy will run August 11-23, 8am-3pm. During this two-week academy, students will spend time doing field work in local marine habitats (rocky beach, sandy beach, and salt marsh) on the North Shore, learning about New England coastal marine habitats, as well as partaking in ongoing Marine Science Center research. Participants will be introduced to field sampling techniques, invasive species monitoring, beach clean-up, benthic organism surveys and more. For more information contact Tracy Hajduk.

Woods Hole Sea Grant
has updated its list of marine or nature-based summer programs for children that take place throughout the Cape Cod area. The list is available here.

Marine Technician Internships The Marine Advanced  Technology Education at-sea internship program  offers an opportunity to participate in a paid summer internship at sea. This summer there are 10-15 positions for students to assist marine technicians and science parties aboard cutting-edge scientific research vessels. Deadline for applications is March 31.

Gulf SERPENT Internship The Gulf SERPENT Project is based at Louisiana State University and coordinates SERPENT Project activities in the Gulf of Mexico. The SERPENT Project is a partnership between academia and industry that uses industrial remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to conduct scientific research during operational standby time. This internship is a six-week opportunity to work with the
Gulf SERPENT Project. If interested, visit an online application packet for resume and cover letter tips, application materials and forms. Deadline for applications is March 31. Visit online for general information about the internship.

The University of Georgia Marine Education Center and Aquarium
is accepting applications for year-long marine education internships. Recent college graduates that would like to spend a year at a marine education facility before deciding whether to teach or return to college for an advanced degree are invited to apply for these year-long marine education internships. Application deadline is April 5, 2008.

URI's Office of Marine Programs Student Activities The University of Rhode Island's Office of Marine Programs will be conducting several student oceanography programs during the week of April 14-18, 2008, for students from first grade through high school.

Marine Technology Society Student Scholarships
The Marine Technology Society has many scholarships available to high school, college undergraduates and graduate students enrolled full time in academic programs focused on marine technology, marine engineering or marine science related fields. The deadline of April 15, 2008, for postmarked applications is fast approaching, so apply now to take advantage of these annual awards. Applications are available at the Marine Technology Website.If you have questions contact Suzanne Voelker or Mike Hall.

Marine Ecology Lab Internships Alabama The Marine Ecology Lab at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab has two summer and two fall 2008 internship opportunities available to qualified undergraduates or graduating seniors looking for experience in marine ecology. They seek applicants to help conduct research on several projects focused on seagrass restoration and monitoring, juvenile snappers and gag grouper habitat assessment, and ecosystem services of restored oyster reefs in Mobile Bay.
Requests

Survey for Non-Formal Environmental Educators Tamara Peffer, a graduate student at Lehigh University, is looking for additional participants in a survey to investigate the use of technology in non-formal environmental education efforts. Tamara teamed up with Diana Payne of Connecticut Sea Grant to ensure representation from the marine education community in the survey. The results of this survey will form a baseline document on the extent to which technology is currently being used in non-formal environmental education, and what factors influence technology use. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Take the survey.

NOAA Seeks Comments on Draft MPA Framework
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of the Interior have released the Revised Draft Framework for Developing the National System of Marine Protected Areas for a 30-day comment period ending April 16. The revised draft framework addresses comments from the public and the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee on the first draft of the Framework, published in September 2006. The document and more information are available online.


Data on State Resilience Efforts The Coastal States Organization wants to know what your state is doing to promote coastal community resilience. If you have an example of a resilience project, program, or partnership that you would like to share, email Kim Collini.

Ocean Information and the Weather Earth Gauge The Weather Earth Gauge is a weather and environment program of the National Environmental Education Foundation and the American Meteorological Society. It provides free environmental education materials to broadcast meteorologists that they can use on-air in their TV or radio forecasts and in other media. Examples can be viewed online. Over the next few months the focus is on oceans and coasts, highlighting the Gulf of Mexico, though material on any region or ocean-related topic is welcome. Through a partnership with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, these facts will be distributed to meteorologists and other education centers and networks. When your information is shared with local meteorologists, your institution will be credited and your website will be provided as a resource. There is no cost to submit information. Contact Ann Posegate for more details on contributing information.
 
NOAA Requests Comments on IOOS Strategic Plan The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Program announced a 30-day public comment period for the five-year IOOS Strategic Plan. The five-year plan will describe in more detail the roles and responsibilities that will be undertaken by the interagency members. Comments will be accepted through April 4, 2008. View the Strategic Plan.

Events

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

Horseshoe Crab Conference Saturday, April 5, 9am-3pm
at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. This free conference is open to the public and will feature presentations by local experts, a panel discussion, and posters and exhibits that highlight horseshoe crab biology, their role in the environment, population status on the Cape, and the human issues surrounding their harvest and conservation. Additionally, Wellfleet Bay will be recruiting volunteers to help with spawning censuses and a tagging project in Wellfleet Harbor. Details on how to get involved with this project will also be shared. To register send an email to the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

Brave New Ocean Lecture  Jeremy Jackson, renowned marine ecologist of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has been selected to receive the 11th annual Roger Tory Peterson Medal presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History.  Dr. Jackson will deliver the Roger Tory Peterson Memorial Lecture on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 3pm in the Harvard University Science Center, One Oxford Street, Cambridge. In his lecture, Brave New Ocean, Jackson will discuss the future of the world's oceans. Advance tickets are required. Tickets for the public are available from the Harvard Box Office in Holyoke Center or by visiting online.

Woods Hole Sea Grant Lectures The annual series of lectures, Oceans Alive: Plain Talk on Current Topics in Marine Science Presented for the General Public, are free of charge and are designed to inform and involve the general public in relevant and timely marine science issues. This year's series will feature the following presentations:
Tuesday, April 15, 7:00 p.m., Right Whale Auto Detection Buoy Network in Cape Cod Bay
Tuesday, April 22, 7:00 p.m., Achilles' Jaw? The Biomechanics of Fatal Jaw Fractures in Right Whales
Tuesday, April 29, 4:00 p.m., Young Scientists Present: Winning Science Fair Projects
Presentations are held in Redfield Auditorium, Water Street, Woods Hole. For more information, contact Sheri DeRosa.
 
Northeastern University Marine Science Center Lecture
Dr. William M Fowler will present Tell It Goodbye Kiddo: A History of the North Atlantic Fishery, at the Nahant Town Hall, 334 Nahant Road, Nahant MA, Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 7:00pm. Contact Tracy Hajduk for more information.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Lecture
Cindy Milburn, Senior Advisor, International Fund for Animal Welfare, will present a lecture, On Thin Ice: Climate Change and Marine Mammals, April 16, 2008, 7:30 pm, at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster, MA. For more information contact the Museum.
NEwswave Schedule

The next issue of NEwswave will be sent April 10, 2008. 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.
























New Podcasts
Thank You Ocean Report podcasts  discuss how the public can protect the ocean and highlight issues important in ocean and coastal management.

 Listen to the podcasts

The first podcast focuses on the Thank You Ocean campaign itself, followed by podcasts on marine debris, marine protected areas, and the West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health. A new podcast will be posted approximately every 2 weeks.
 
 Subscribe to the podcast
 







































 
Marine Ecosystem Newsletter
The latest issue of
 the newsletter of Marine Ecosystems and Management
 is now available.
Marine Ecosystems and Management (MEAM) is a quarterly information service focused on marine ecosystem-based management. MEAM serves the global resource management community with news, views, analysis, and tips gathered from experts around the world. MEAM and its website are published by Marine Affairs Research and Education (MARE), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, in association with the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs, Seattle, Washington. Financial support for MEAM comes from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, among other sources.
 
  Subscribe to MEAM here.




































Gulf of Maine Times
The Spring issue of the Gulf of Maine Times
is available online. New in this issue: voice clips and extra online-only coverage.











































SeaWeb Publications
 SeaWeb's Ocean Update
 is published monthly. Subscribe online.

The latest issue of SeaWeb's Marine Photobank Bulletin is also available.

Other recent SeaWeb Marine Science Reviews include information on marine and coastal birds, human health, habitats and ecosystems, fish and fisheries, pollution, climate change, and marine mammals. Visit online
to register for SeaWeb publications.




































New in Oceanus
Sweeping reforms recommended by two national ocean  commissions stall in the harbor.
A Sea Change in National Ocean Policy?

Mining the Origins of Life and
other recent research findings by WHOI scientists

Coral cores offer an unprecedented record of the rise and fall of Earth's sea level.


 




























Massachusetts Marine Educators Newsletter
The Spring issue of MME's newsletter Flotsam and Jetsam is now available on the MME website.








































 
Resources for NMEA
If you are coming to Savannah for NMEA 2008
visit this summary of coastal GA natural history
and download free ID guides to beachcombing, invertebrates, and phytoplankton.

























































































































































 
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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