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The Strandline
New York State Marine Education Association Newsletter 
May 2014
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President's Note

Dear NYSMEAns, 

As we head into the last month or so of the traditional school year, I want to invite you to several events. Please see more information below in this newsletter.

 

 

Next Thursday, May 29th, is our "Oceans of Plastic" Webinar, in which three scientists will be discussing the issue of plastic pollution, focusing specifically on the problem of microbeads and current pending legislation here in New York State.
This is a great opportunity for you and your students to talk directly with scientists and learn a lot! 

 

 

On June 14th, we will be visiting the NYC DOE Environmental Study Center in Brooklyn. The Center is

Photo Credit: Environmental Study Center

 a wonderful 

resource for teachers and students and includes greenhouses, animals, and classroom space. Please join us for a tour and meeting, beginning at 12 noon.  

 

Finally, end the year with a bang with a Whale and Dolphin Watching Trip on the American Princess Cruises on Friday June 27th. Join naturalist and longtime NYSMEA Board member Dr. Merryl Kafka to learn about cetaceans, invertebrates, birds, and the marine ecology of NY Harbor. We are getting an amazing deal of $22/person (normally $45). Feel free to bring your class! More information below.

 

I hope to see you at one or all of these great opportunities!

 

Sincerely,

 

Meg

 

Meghan Marrero, Ed.D.
NYSMEA President
 

"Oceans of Plastic" Webinar

How much plastic pollution is in the world's oceans and lakes? How does plastic pollution affect marine ecosystems and human health? And most importantly, what can we do about it? 
 
To answer these questions, NYSMEA and the 5 Gyres Institute present a webinar entitled "Oceans of Plastic: From Science to Solutions." The webinar will be held on Thursday, May 29th at 1:30pm.
 
This webinar is open to middle and high school classrooms. Each classroom receives one login "seat." The best way to participate is through a SmartBoard or computer and projector with speakers. On the board, your students will be able to see the scientists and their slide presentations, and hear them through the speakers. You will be able to enter your students' questions for the scientists via a moderated chat function.  
 
Registration is free, but please RSVP soon as space is limited to 50 classrooms. Click here to register. 
 
Featuring Dr. Marcus Eriksen of the Aquatic Health Program at UC Davis, Dr. Chelsea Rochman of the 5 Gyres Institute, and Dr. Sam Mason of SUNY Fredonia. 
 
 

 

 
Tour and Meeting at NYC DOE Environmental Study Center
Join us for a tour of the NYC DOE Environmental Study Center, a 7000 square foot facility in Brooklyn that offers rich and engaging environmental science programs for students and teachers at all grade levels. They have more than 200 living organisms on site and lots of other resources.
 
Join NYSMEA for a guided tour and a meeting to learn more about this wonderful space and resource. Please RSVP to Eileen.

 


Trails Day Weekend 2014
Enjoy a sail aboard the Christeen, the oldest oyster sloop in North America. Photo credit: The WaterFront Center
Hike, Bird Watch, Kayak, and More on Trails Day Weekend

 

All these activities and more, plus volunteer projects, will be taking place in Long Island Sound Stewardship Areas on June 7 and June 8 during National Trails Day weekend. The Long Island Sound Study is organizing some of these events as well as promoting others on its website. The aim of the weekend is to inform citizens of the breadth of opportunities available to enjoy at some of the Sound's most special places.


Click here for a listing of Trails Day weekend activities in New York and Connecticut.

 

 
Whale and Dolphin Watching with American Princess Cruises
Photo credit: American Princess Cruises
Join NYSMEA marine educators on-board the American Princess for a science-at-sea educational experience, exploring plankton, live touch tub with invertebrates, presentations on whales, water chemistry, diversity of fishes, and the ecology of our local waterways. We will search for whales and other forms of life.
 
When: Friday, June 27, 2014

Time: 12:00 - 3:00pm. Please come early and you can also do a beach walk with your students.

Where: American Princess Riis Landing in Breezy Point, Queens
 
Cost: Special invitation offer at half the price for only $22 per person (usually $45).
 
RSVP: Please contact Merryl Kafka, Naturalist on Board, and with Gotham Whale.com, at goodfishdr@aol.com or 917-838 2647.

Directions by car: Belt Parkway to Flatbush Avenue South, exit 11 S. Go over the Marine Parkway Bridge to Breezy Point. Stay in the right lane on the bridge and exit off the first right turn. Continue a few hundred feet and make the first right turn into the Riis Landing parking lot, next to an old red brick building. Free parking only with a permit from the American Princess upon payment. Please leave it on the dashboard of your vehicle.  
 
NMEA Conference 
 
The National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) Conference will be held on July 21-25 in Annapolis, MD. 
 
The NMEA's mission is to make known the world of both water, fresh and salt, as we bring together formal and informal marine educators around the world to promote awareness and education of the global marine environment. 
 
The NMEA conference draws 300-500 formal and informal educators from high schools, public aquariums, non-profit NGOs, and government agencies for 5 days of learning, sharing, and networking. The 2014 conference will have STEM and the Next Generation Science Standards as its main focus. 
 
Registration for the conference is now open. Interested in being nominated for a scholarship to attend the NMEA conference? Email Meg.  
 
 
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit 
    
The Youth Ocean Conservation Summit for high school students is happening on July 22nd at the NMEA 2014 Conference in in Annapolis, MD. This Youth Summit is "for youth by youth."
 
The Youth Ocean Conservation Summit (YOCS) was created to provide youth participants the opportunity to learn from marine scientists and conservationists about the current threats facing marine ecosystems, both locally and globally. This event also teaches participants about the ways other youth are currently working to protect marine ecosystems, and then allows them to work with their peers to develop action plans for their own ocean conservation projects. 
 
Workshops offered at the Summit allow participants to gain the skills necessary to successfully implement conservation projects, teach participants about career opportunities in marine conservation, and expose them to opportunities they can take part in to help protect our planet's oceans and their inhabitants.

 

For more information on the Youth Summit and for an application (Application Deadline: Postmarked by May 16th), click here. 

 

 
NYSMEA Annual Conference: Save the Date
 
Save the date for the NYSMEA Annual Conference - Saturday, October 25, 2014. Details coming soon! 
 
NYSMEA meetup at SciCafe  

   

On the first Wednesday of each month, the American Museum of Natural History hosts a SciCafe with guest speakers! Join NYSMEA members for cocktails, cutting-edge science, and conversation at this popular after-hours series. Get the details about the speakers here and email Lisa for more info.

Strandline (n): the high water mark; the area at the top of a beach where debris is deposited.

UPCOMING EVENTS:   


"Oceans of Plastic" Webinar - May 29, 2014 

Trails Day Weekend - June 7-8, 2014 

NYSMEA Tour and Meeting at NYC DOE Environmental Study Center - June 14, 2014

Whale and Dolphin Watching with American Princess Cruises - June 27, 2014 

NMEA Annual Conference - July 21-25, 2014
 
YOCS Summit - July 22, 2014
 
NYSMEA Annual Conference - 
October 25, 2014



Find more events at our Calendar page. 

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NEW POSTS ON OUR WEB SITE!
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DID YOU KNOW? NYSMEA Updates its website every month, so be sure to visit the links below for new Web postings!  

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Join NYSMEA!  

NYSMEA holds an annual conference, periodic meetings, lectures, workshops, field trips, and boat trips. Learn a lot, have a great time and meet some talented, energized educators with a passion for water, just like yours!  

 

Not a member?
Click here and join for only $20 a year.

 

Expiring May 2014 members can renew now on the NYSMEA website. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

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The New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization that exists to promote marine awareness and encourage the growth and exchange of instructional resources.