Workshop for Educators
Coastal Trends Institute
Summer 2008 Offerings:
July 14-17 Gibraltar Island, COSEE Great Lakes (more info)
August 11-15 Catalina Island, COSEE West
- Work with leading researchers in the marine science field.
- Learn new ways to incorporate real-time data into classroom activities.
- Do hands-on activities and take excursions to enhance daily themes.
- Network and share ideas with fellow educators.
The institute aims to enhance classroom learning activities for grades 7-12. Educators nationwide are encouraged to enroll. All costs except travel are funded by grants from the National Science Foundation.
Course Overview
The ocean occupies over 70% of the earth's surface and affects everyone who lives on earth. Whether you live near the coast or inland, the ocean and its interaction with the atmosphere influences climate and weather. Movement of the ocean also affects the lives of aquatic organisms and the dispersion of human pollutants. In recent years, changes such as sea level rise, loss of habitat, and nutrient enrichment, for example, have been affecting our marine environment. In addition, until recently ships have been the primary source of information about the ocean. Now, however, the use of ocean-observing technologies has advanced the science to allow communication of the "health" of the coastal and global waters back to us. Participants in the Coastal Trends Institute explore coastal trends through the eyes of ocean observing systems to bring the ocean to their classroom using authentic real-time data.
The main objective of this program is to bring together scientists and educators to study ocean science through coastal observing systems and the information these systems can provide on physical and biological processes. The daily structure of the workshop includes an introductory activity, science overview, classroom activities conducted by participants, field trips to extend thematic content, and an "apply to classroom" session. Participants come away with a deeper understanding of the trends affecting our coastal environment and innovative ideas for engaging students in ocean science.
