Scientist-Educator Partnership
The COSEE Coastal Trends Scientist-Educator Partnership immerses middle school and high school teachers in ocean science research experiences. Scientists and teachers conduct research and develop classroom resources based on the partnering work. Our program includes:
- A residential week-long orientation that introduces teacher fellows to team members and provides some background on conducting science research.
- A 6-week research experience in a science research facility.
- Extensive follow-up and support during the academic year.
- Comprehensive dissemination of fellowship products via the web and through hands-on workshops and conferences.
- Stipend, classroom supplies, and travel expenses.
Collaborative teamwork is a key component of the research experience. Successful applicants work closely with a research scientist, a graduate student, and an undergraduate student to collectively create web-based educational resources focusing on their area of study (see Scientist-Educator Teams for more details).
Summer 2008 Research Topics
1. Hypoxia (“Dead Zones”)
Dr. Michael Kemp, UMCES Horn Point Laboratory
“Dead zones” are areas of waterways where oxygen levels are so low (hypoxic) that most aquatic life cannot exist. The causes of these dead zones are being studied by scientists around the world. It is believed that excess nutrients from the land cause phytoplankton blooms. When the algae die and sink to the bottom waters, their decomposition uses up available oxygen. This process, coupled with summer, temperature-salinity gradients that set up stratification and hinders mixing of the water, results in hypoxia in deeper layers. COSEE Coastal Trends is seeking one teacher to join our science-educator research team to study hypoxia in the Chesapeake Bay. The team will use computer modeling approaches and field data to learn how these dead zones manifest during the summer months and how harmful they are to the aquatic system.
2. Seagrasses and Restoration
Dr. Karen McGlathery, VA Coastal Reserve Long Term Ecological Research
Seagrasses are rooted, aquatic plants which spend their entire life underwater. As with other plants, they require light to grow, and are, therefore, susceptible to the conditions of the overlying water. When the water is clouded with suspended materials (e.g. phytoplankton and sediment) that block the light penetrating to the bottom, these plants struggle to survive. Significant die-backs of these important habitats have occurred in coastal waters around the world. Scientists are now investigating ways to best restore seagrasses to our coastal environments. COSEE Coastal Trends is seeking one teacher to join our scientist-educator team at the Virginia Coastal Reserve Long Term Ecological Research study sight on the Virginia Barrier Islands to study seagrass restoration.
