COSEE-New England and NEOSEC News
|
Telling Your Story Workshop On January 16, the COSEE-New England Telling Your Story workshop was presented at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for 25 enthusiastic participants, co-sponsored by COPUS. Scientists, educators, graduate students and facilitators learned new skills for making successful classroom visits and forming scientist/educator collaborations. Eleven participants stayed for an after-session to discuss replicating TYS at their home institution. A highlight of the day was an inspiring visit by Jian Lin, a WHOI scientist who attended the very first TYS workshop. (Read an interview with Jian here.) And, to keep the conversation going, we set up a networking site for Telling Your Story graduates.
|
News from NEOSEC Members
|
New COSEE Website The National COSEE Network is excited to announce the launch of the new COSEE Network website. Visit the site and explore COSEE activities, as well as resources for educators and scientists.
|
Policy Matters
|
Omnibus Passes Senate On January 15, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act (S. 22) passed the Senate. The package includes five bills that will benefit the ocean, Great Lakes and coasts, including: Ocean Exploration/Coastal and Ocean Mapping (S. 39 from 110th Congress); Ocean Observation (S. 950 from the 110th Congress); Ocean Acidification (S. 1581); and the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Act - CELCP (H.R. 1907). To read the bill visit online. |
Reports, Publications, Announcements
|
Right Whale Sightings Large numbers of North Atlantic right whales were spotted in the Gulf of Maine in December 2008, leading right whale researchers at NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center to believe they have identified a wintering ground and potentially a breeding ground for this endangered species. With a population estimated to be about 325 whales, knowing where the whales are at any time is critical to protect them. For more information, read the NOAA news release.(pdf)
Ocean Plan Meetings As part of its charge to develop an Ocean Plan for state waters, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will be holding two public stakeholder meetings: Saturday February 7, 9:00 am-12:30 pm, at the Daniel Webster Inn in Sandwich, and Tuesday February 10, 6:00-9:30 pm, at the Fish Pier in Boston. The purpose of these meetings is to enable stakeholders to review technical materials prepared to date as part of the ocean plan development process. The locations of the meetings are intended to provide opportunity for broad participation and have identical agendas. For more information visit online. |
Online Ocean Science Education Resources
|
The Mind and Hand Alliance is a group of K-12 educational organizations dedicated to inspiring student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by creating hands-on curriculum, connecting Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni volunteers with educators, and providing training, support, and materials for teachers, alumni, and other volunteers involved in K-12 STEM education.
Visit online.
Daily Reports from Research Vessel The NOAA ship JOIDES Resolution has set sail from Singapore after completing its vast transformation into a modernized U.S. scientific ocean drilling vessel. For a close-up look at the transformed ship, tune in to Daily Reports from the team that is running the JR through its paces over the next month while the ship transits from Singapore to Honolulu for the start of the first Pacific Equatorial Age Transect expedition. And you can come along for the ride, virtually!
Explore Our Estuaries On May 1 join naturalists from around the country in EstuaryLive, an annual, free, live, interactive field trip through our nation's estuaries. Participants have an opportunity to submit questions directly to field trip leaders during the broadcast. This year's program will feature six 30-minute segments broadcasting live from three of NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR): Hudson River NERR in New York, South Slough NERR in Oregon, and Padilla Bay NERR in Washington. Register for the broadcast.
|
Seminars, Workshops, Online Courses
|
JASON's Argonaut Adventure Students and teachers are invited to apply to become a National Argonaut with the JASON Project. As part of a two-year internship, selected students and teachers will be featured in JASON's upcoming geology curriculum, which includes videos and computer games and will be used in classrooms worldwide. Selected students and teachers will star in classroom webcasts, podcasts, live chats, and online message boards. Applications due February 6. For more information visit online.
ARMADA Project There is still time to apply to the University of Rhode Island's Office of Marine Program ARMADA Project. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the ARMADA Project provides K-12 teachers an opportunity to actively participate in ocean, polar, and environmental science research and peer mentoring. Applications must be postmarked by February 9. More information online.
Global Environmental Change Education Course
offered by the University of Rhode Island Office of Marine Programs covers a comprehensive suite of topics related to Earth's changing environments,
including changes to the ocean and atmosphere and related implications for human
health, society, and governments. The course starts February 25 and will meet
Wednesday evenings, 4-6:30 pm at URI's Narragansett Bay Campus. Registration
must be made through the Narragansett Bay Classroom Registrar. See the OMP webiste.
MIT Sea Grant's Sea Perch Program trains teachers to build underwater
robots and use them to investigate topics including propulsion, weight
and buoyancy. Participants in this free workshop will build their own
robots from scratch and receive ideas for incorporating the robots into
the curriculum. For information, visit MIT Sea Perch or contact Sarah Olivo. Application deadline February 25.
Visit Baja with Seacoast Science Center Go kayaking and diving in some of the most beautiful and richly diverse habitats in the world. Join the Seacoast Science Center and travel through the Sea of Cortez. Experience Baja, the area where the desert meets the sea, April 11-18. Contact Wendy Lull to learn more.
NOAA Ocean Exploration at NEAq National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) presents their Ocean Exploration Program May 16 at New England Aquarium. This one-day professional development workshop teaches inquiry- and standards-based activities that introduce students to NOAA expeditions. The workshop takes place at the New England Aquarium and will be taught by NOAA educators and scientists. Appropriate for grades 6-12.
Buccoo Reef USA is offering a professional development opportunity this summer as part of the REEF TEACH Program. Global Environmental Change: Buccoo Reef and Beyond is a course designed for teachers, both formal and informal, across the science curriculum, who are wishing to engage their students in ecosystem research using the coral reefs as the platform. The course incorporates hands-on research strategies and field work, introduction to the Ocean Literacy Principles and discussions with local Tobagonians. Course dates are June 21-28 and August 9-16. For more information visit online.
Museum Institute for Teaching Science (MITS) offers its summer institute, July 6-17, facilitated among several cooperating museums, nature centers, aquariums, zoos and botanical gardens in Massachusetts. Participants have the opportunity to spend two days at each cooperating site and learn from their primary resources. More information online.
University of Oregon's Institute of Marine Biology offers summer courses for undergraduates and teachers. Visit online.
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) offers a Coral Reef Ecology field in Bermuda, July 12-August 1. Open to undergraduates and graduate students with strong academic credentials, and to teachers and professionals. The course is open only to SCUBA divers. More information can be found online. |
Jobs in New England (and beyond)
|
Assistant Conservation Agent, Cape Cod The Town of Chatham seeks an Assistant Conservation Agent/Environmental Technician. The responsibilities of the position include representing the Town in matters pertaining to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Chatham Wetlands Protection Bylaw, assisting the Conservation Agent with technical and administrative work of the Conservation Division, review of project proposals, performing site visits to assure compliance with applicable laws, conservation land management, development and dissemination of public education materials, collecting field samples, performing field and laboratory tests, maintaining laboratory equipment, and supporting the Citizens Water Quality Monitoring Program. Visit online for more information and application.
Executive Director, Connecticut Schooner Inc.,
a non-profit marine education organization based in New Haven, is searching for a new Executive Director. Contact Stocky Clark for details.
Marine Science Educator, Florida Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida has an opening for a marine science educator to work closely with the School and Public Programs Coordinators, under the supervision of the Center Director, to teach and assist in the development of on-site and outreach educational programs based at Mote field stations around Florida. This position will be specifically tasked with creating and leading weekend marine science day camps, working with staff to develop and lead programming for pre-school audiences, coordinating First-Year High School Internship Program, and developing programming and curricula for schools and underserved audiences. Contact Tim Oldread for more information. |
Student Opportunities
|
Shoals Marine Lab offers courses and internships for undergraduates on Appledore Island off the coast of Maine. Visit online for Shoals Marine Lab Student Opportunities.
Ocean for Life: A Cultural Exchange and Ocean Field Study Opportunity Ocean for Life is an initiative sponsored by NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries to increase cultural understanding through ocean science. This program will provide high quality, immersive ocean field studies and follow-on education programs to facilitate cross-cultural learning, appreciation, and lasting experiences between Middle Eastern and Western students. Participants will produce youth media projects to document their experience with the assistance of National Geographic photographers and American University film students to share with their schools and local communities. Find out more online.
Woods Hole Diversity Initiative Partnership Education Program (PEP), a consortium of six science institutions, is launching a program this summer in Woods Hole to bring college undergraduates to the village for a course and a research opportunity. PEP is supported by the Woods Hole Diversity Initiative to promote diversity in the Woods Hole science community and especially seeks students from minorities under-represented in ocean and environmental sciences. The priority date for admission and funding consideration is January 31. For more information contact PEP Director Dr. Ambrose Jearld.
Great Lakes Summer Student Fellowships The Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research (CILER), administered by the University of Michigan, announces the 2009 Great Lakes Summer Student Fellowship Program. Twenty-two full-time, twelve-week positions are available; preference is given to currently enrolled or just-graduated undergraduates, although graduate student applications will also be considered. Summer fellowships are available in a broad range of fields including Aquatic Ecology, Outreach and Communications, Maritime Archaeology, Data Analysis, Modeling, Marine Instrumentation, Oceanography, and Wetland Ecology. Fellowship opportunities are online.
Catalina Summer Aquarist Internship An aquarist internship at the Pennington Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, California, is available for Summer 2009.
The Aquarist Interns assist the Marine Science Director in giving instructional tours to guests at camp, aquarium maintenance and operations, collection of aquarium specimens, development of current and future educational programs, and all aspects of maintaining a healthy, diverse aquarium. For more information contact Esther Eder, Marine Science Director. |
Conferences
|
MEES Conference The Massachusetts Environmental Education Society (MEES) annual conference will be held March 4 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. The conference theme is Environmental Sustainability in Our Schools, Centers, and Selves. Registration deadline February 6. More information online.
NMEA 2009 The National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) invites you to its annual conference. The theme for NMEA 2009 is One World Conserving One Ocean. The conference will be held in Pacific Grove, California, at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, June 29-July 3. Visit online for more information. |
Calendar
|
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!
Whaling History Lecture Series Man and Whales:Changing Views Through Time sponsored by Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations (ECHO), the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
February 4, Whaling to Watching with Mike Dyer and Regina Asmutis-Silvia
February 18, Who They Are with Judy Lund and Philip Hamilton
March 4, Whale-Hunter and Whale Songs with Stuart Frank, Mary Malloy and Leila Hatch
March 18, Flensing/Rendering with Rob Ellis and Michael Moore
April 1, Right Whales with Mike Dyer and Scott Kraus
All lectures held at the New Bedford Whaling Museum Theater beginning at 6:30 pm. Contact Sue Rocca for more information.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Lecture The Horseshoe Crab, Living Fossil & Modern Medicine, with Dr. Michael Dawson, February 10, 1:30 pm. Contact Gayle Kenerson for more information.
Northeastern University Marine Science Center Evening Lecture Series Polar Bear Populations, Climate Change, and the Endangered Species Act with Dr. Hal Caswell, Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, February 10 7:00 pm.
Some Like It Hot, Some Like It Cold: Temperature and Life in the Ocean, with Dr. Luke Miller, Marine Science Center Researcher, March 24 7:00 pm. More information online.
|
NEwswave Schedule
|
The next issue of NEwswave will be sent February 12, 2009. Please send announcements and news to the editor, Catherine Cramer.
© Copyright COSEE-New England
This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0215456. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
|
|
|
|
|
Include Your News in NEwswave!
|
Send news and announcements of interest to the New England Ocean Science Education community to the editor, Catherine Cramer.
|
|
Right Whale Blog
|
New England Aquarium is tracking right whales
off the US coast in an aerial survey. Follow the survey in the right whale aerial survey blog.
|
|
Journal of Visualized Experiments
|
About JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments)
JoVE was founded in October 2006 as the first online journal devoted to video-publication of life science research. JoVE has so far released 21 monthly issues including over 300 video-protocols on experimental approaches in developmental biology, neuroscience, microbiology and other fields. To facilitate the integration of video content into scientific publishing, JoVE has developed an organizational and technical structure to perform and/or assist scientists with filming and editing in their labs.
Watch a video on blood collection from a horseshoe crab.
Visit JoVE
|
.
|
NOSB Promotional Video
|
Watch the new promotional videos for the National Ocean Sciences Bowl here.
|
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. |
|
|
|
