1. SEA GRANT EDUCATION NEWS – “BACK TO SCHOOL”
EDITION OF SEA GRANT NEWS & NOTES
(PRWEB) August 31, 2002
SEA GRANT EDUCATION AND LEARNING UPDATES –
” BACK TO SCHOOL” EDITION OF SEA GRANT UPDATES & NOTES
August 30, 2002
NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program brings sophisticated seaside science into terms
that a primary student or typical homeowner understands. Sea Grant programs have literally
taken the shore and seaside science subjects to the general public. These efforts have reached
not only coastal states, however also societies across the country with a variety of publications,
video and radio documentaries, educational program, workshops, shows, Internet site and
special jobs. This special edition of Sea Grant News & Notes presents a small sampling from
the hundreds of Sea Grant academic programs around the country.
Massachusetts:
ADOPT-A-BOAT LINKS COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS TO CLASSROOMS
Delaware:
” PURPOSE TO THE ABYSS,” A VIRTUAL FIELD JOURNEY SET TO CHECK OUT THE
OCEAN FLOORING
California:
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2. PARENT KID EDUCATION LOOKS FOR INNER URBAN AREA UNDERSTANDING OF
SHORE, ENVIRONMENT
Hawaii:
LEARN ABOUT BRAIN-EATING SEA SQUIRTS AND EVEN MORE AT HAWAII’S FUN SITE
Oregon:
THE CASE OF THE WET INVADERS
Louisiana:
STEWARDSHIP TAKES ROOT AS LOUISIANA STUDENTS OBJECTIVE TO CONSERVE
SEASIDE WETLANDS
Michigan:
BEETLE MANIA
STUDENTS DISCOVER EXCELLENT LAKES ECOSYSTEM
Pennsylvania:
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3. SAILING VOYAGE LETS LAKE ERIE STUDENTS “REDISCOVER” THEIR ENVIRONMENT
Illinois-Indiana:
KIDS CAN “MAKE A GETAWAY” WITH THIS EDUCATIONAL DEVICE
ADOPT-A-BOAT LINKS COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS TO CLASSROOMS
A collective project between the fishing industry and educators makes use of commercial fishing
boats as a car for training students about marine resource utilization, marine ecology and life as
a fisherman. The project, moneyed by the Northeast Consortium, reveals K-12 pupils the value
of the commercial fishing market to seaside communities. Last year, the job began with
collaborations between 8 vessels and ten classrooms from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont
and Massachusetts. This academic year, the goal is to expand to 100 collaborations across
New England. The partnerships commonly feature both course and boat check outs, however
job planner MIT Sea Grant offers technology where suitable to bridge the distance between the
schools and the boats. Telemetered information, video exchanges, in addition to e-mails
between pupils and fishermen are utilized. All costs incurred by fishermen and classrooms in
addition to the communications equipment are paid for by the Adopt-a-Boat program.
See http://www.adoptaboat.org for even more information.
CONTACT: High cliff Goudey, MIT Sea Grant Extension Leader, Center for Fisheries
Engineering Research, (O) 617-253-7079, E-mail:
Brandy Moran, MIT Sea Grant K-12 Education Organizer,
( O) 617-253-5944, Email:
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4. ” MISSION TO THE ABYSS,” A VIRTUAL FIELD TRAVEL SET TO SEE THE OCEAN FLOOR
This October, hundreds of pupils will certainly take a virtual industry trip to see scientists
endeavor into the ocean’s depths. “Severe 2002: Mission to the Abyss” will enable pupils and
teachers to follow the action as University of Delaware researcher Craig Cary checks out
hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean. Cary and his team will study the vents and the animals
that inhabit them, including the Pompeii worm. The fleecy, four-inch worm is among the “most
popular” pets on the planet, as it can withstand temperatures of up to 176 degrees F.
Researchers will certainly make use of the submersible ALVIN and research vessel ATLANTIS
to do their work. As component of the National Science Foundation study, Delaware Sea Grant
is assisting to sponsor classroom materials that will certainly permit pupils and teachers to take
part in the action. While the research team explores, students can easily tune in to an
interactive site that will certainly be updated daily throughout the 24-day voyage. More than 450
schools from throughout the USA and several other countries will certainly use the offered
resource guides, course of study and video about the deep sea to guide them with Cary’s
exploration. A select team of classrooms will have the opportunity to take part in a live
teleconference with the scientists as they perform study in ALVIN on the seafloor.
For even more details, go to: http://www.ocean.udel.edu/expeditions
CONTACT: Tracey Bryant, University of Delaware Sea Grant, Marine Public Education
Workplace, (O) 302-831-8185, E-mail: tbryant@udel.edu; Craig Cary, Delaware Sea Grant
Researcher, Associate Professor of Marine Biology-Biochemistry, University of Delaware, (O)
302 – 645-4078, Email: caryc@udel.edu
PARENT KID EDUCATION AND LEARNING SEEKS INNER CITY UNDERSTANDING OF
SHORE, ENVIRONMENT
The University of Southern California Sea Grant Moms and dad Youngster Education and
learning Program (PCEP) is aimed at making basic science concepts approachable and fun for
parent and youngster together along with establishing a sense of environmental stewardship,
independent reasoning and imaginative expression with positive action. The Parent Child
Education and learning Program is based at an inner city school and individuals are mostly
Latino and African-American. As a group, moms and dad and child go to a short course in
marine/environmental science which concentrates on the urban / ocean connection in regards
to the Santa Monica Bay. They participate in a field travel to a fish tank and beach websites as
well as onboard a study vessel. Understanding is integrated with their culminating job, a science
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5. symposium/poster session, which occurs during their Awards Evening.
Begun as a pilot project in 1999, the program has expanded to include 10 schools throughout
the 2002-2003 year. Numerous of its participants have actually never ever been to the beach or
seen the ocean and have no understanding of just how their actions can easily impact the
marine environment. Through the impressive PCEP discovering procedure, the parent-child
groups gain an elementary understanding of science and establish an enhanced regard and
sense of duty associating with neighborhood marine ecological concerns. In addition to
achieving an increased understanding of environmental stewardship, the PCEP introduces
efficient interaction methods, starts ideas of new and amazing future profession paths in the
marine, health, or social science employment fields, and cultivates a lifelong interest in science
and quality of self, family members, and home.
CONTACT: Lynn Whitley, Education and learning Planner, USC Sea Grant, (O) 213-740-1964,
E-mail: lwhitley@usc.edu
LEARN ABOUT BRAIN-EATING SEA SQUIRTS AND EVEN MORE AT HAWAII’S
ENJOYABLE WEBSITE
Interesting and helpful information abounds on Hawaii Sea Grant’s award-winning Sea Squirt
site. First, visitors find out that “after locating an ideal rock or location to call house, juvenile red
sea squirts no longer need their minds, so they consume them.” Look further into the website,
and Sea Squirt offers resources for youngsters and instructors alike. On one web page, Shaka
the shark doles out help for kids visiting the beach. “Do not stand on reef,” and “Usage the
restroom, not the ocean,” are two of his points. Downloads consist of a marine activity
workbook, numerous coloring and task publications and marine life icons for your computer.
Links for instructors, kids and parents, a quiz to examination understanding of Hawaiian sea life
and a virtual aquarium are more functions on the website. To check out the Sea Squirt site:
http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/SEAGRANT/kids/indexkids.html
CONTACT: Priscilla Billig, Hawaii Sea Grant Communicator, (O) 808-956-7410, Email:
billig@hawaii.edu
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6. THE CASE OF THE WET INVADERS
Oregon Sea Grant education and learning experts, along with Sea Grant programs in California
and Washington and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Solution, want West Coast citizens to be on the
lookout for aquatic intrusive types like zebra mussels, European green crabs, smooth cord turf
and Chinese mitten crabs. To achieve their goal, the team is producing Aquatic Nuisance Types
Education Boxes that can travel to middle and high school teachers throughout the Pacific
Northwest. The project is based on effective instructional tools utilized in the Midwest, such as
Minnesota Sea Grant’s “Unique Aquatics” trunk and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s “Zebra
Mussel Mania” taking a trip trunk. The trunks will supply instructors with educational program
and tasks for incorporating aquatic intrusive species into their science lesson schemes.
Composed products, slides, video and specimens will certainly all belong to the effort to teach
young people what to search for when they check out a lake, beach or river. When mindful of
the hazards intrusive species pose, pupils and the basic public can use their knowledge to help
raise awareness and foster preventive actions throughout their neighborhoods.
CONTACT: Paul Heimowitz, Aquatic Ecological community Health Teacher, Oregon Sea Grant
Extension, (O) 503-722-6718, Email: paul.heimowitz@orst.edu
STEWARDSHIP TAKES ROOT AS LOUISIANA STUDENTS INTENTION TO SAVE COASTAL
WETLANDS
Students in southern Louisiana are taking a hands-on technique to saving their seaside
wetlands. Up to 30 square miles of coastal land are lost every year in the state. With Louisiana
Sea Grant’s Coastal Roots Program, middle and senior high school students are using a mix of
science and math skills to assist restore important land and habitat in their very own state and
reveal the relevance of taking responsibility for the environment. They are raising waxmyrtle,
baldcypress and black mangrove trees and then growing them in the steadily declining
wetlands. Initially, students plant seeds of native trees in school nurseries. The next year’s
class transplants the seedlings to bigger pots and then plants them in the marsh. Many schools
have actually constructed outside irrigation systems and cool frames to protect the plants during
summer season and wintertime months. When planted in the marsh, the seedlings avoid
erosion from swamping rains and restore damaged wildlife habitat. To learn more, see
http://lamer.lsu.edu
CONTACT: Pamela Blanchard, Louisiana Sea Grant Education and learning Coordinator, (O)
225-578-1558, E-mail: pamb@lsu.edu
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7. BEETLE MANIA IN MICHIGAN
In Michigan class, students are encouraged to raise beetles on windowsills. The beetles, a
types known as Galerucella, are expanded as part of Michigan State University’s Purple
Loosestrife Job. The beetles feed specifically on purple loosestrife, a colorful plant that is native
to Europe. The plant has boldy gotten into many wetlands in North America, and, when set up,
frequently surpasses native vegetation and kinds almost impenetrable stands. By raising and
releasing Galerucella beetles, teachers, pupils and other volunteers assist to reduce purple
loosestrife around the state. According to Michigan Sea Grant Extension Professional Mike
Klepinger, the job allows individuals to “learn about Michigan’s wetlands first-hand while
assisting to secure them from an invasive types.” Educators and other volunteers attend a
training session and are then qualified to raise beetles in their class. They get a small brood
stock, which could multiply to a couple of thousand beetles within a short period of time. When
the beetles are ready for release, pupils and teachers troop out to the wetlands, where the
beetles are released onto the loosestrife. Since the job began in 1997, over 4,000 volunteers
have participated in the effort to control purple loosestrife. As an outcome of volunteer efforts,
considerable decrease in purple loosestrife has actually started to take place in a number of
parts of Michigan.
To learn more, go to the Purple Pages at: http://www.miseagrant.org/pp
CONTACT: Mike Klepinger, Michigan Sea Grant Extension Professional,
( O) 517-353-5508, E-mail: klep@msu.edu; For pictures that show the success of the project,
please contact Dave Brenner at (O) 734-764-2421, E-mail: daverb@umich.edu
PUPILS DISCOVER FANTASTIC LAKES ECOSYSTEM
Fourth-grade students from more than 26 neighborhoods in southeast Michigan, including
Detroit, are boarding “schoolships” on Lake St. Clair and the reduced Detroit River for an intro
to the distinct functions of the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Education and learning Program,
supported by Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension, uses a combo of
classroom understanding and hands-on experience to stimulate interest in protecting the Great
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8. Lakes and its resources. On the two-hour cruises, pupils find out about ideas such as the
aquatic food web, the water cycle, the roles of oxygen and carbon dioxide and the results of
exotic types. Pupil tasks consist of checking out plankton samples, testing water quality,
engaging in marine knot connecting, taking temperature readings and more. They then use the
gathered information in follow-up class experiments and conversation. Aboard the
“schoolships,” Great Lakes Education Program staff support prepare students for their role as
future decision makers responsible for the state’s natural resources. Even more than 37,000
students, instructors and other grownups have actually gotten involved in the program given
that it began in 1991. The experience has played a vital role in promoting enthusiasm and
interest in finding out about the Great Lakes and its water resources.
To learn more, check out: http://www.miseagrant.org/glep
CONTACT: Steve Stewart, Michigan Sea Grant Great Lakes Education Program Director, (O)
586-469-7431, Email: stewart@msue.msu.edu
SAILING VOYAGE LETS LAKE ERIE STUDENTS “REDISCOVER” THEIR ATMOSPHERE
Pennsylvania Sea Grant’s award-winning Environmental Rediscoveries Program offers pupils a
hands-on, academic opportunity to discover the special Presque Isle Bay environment. Aboard
the sailing vessel Momentum, students have a possibility to come to be sailors and analysts for
a day. While navigating regional waters, individuals learn about the surrounding ecological
community. They are also introduced to the art of sailing aboard the 42-foot Relationship Sloop.
While one team of sailors is hectic plotting its course to a sampling site, others are tackling the
impact of zebra mussels in Presque Isle Bay. Students return to coast and analyze their
samples, discovering important lessons about water quality and pollution along with the crucial
function they play as stewards to their atmosphere. The program includes factors of physics,
chemistry and navigation, and has reached over 1500 pupils in the Erie, Pennsylvania area.
CONTACT: Anne Danielski, Pennsylvania Sea Grant Coastal Education and learning and
Maritime Expert, (O) 814 – 898-6421, E-mail: add118@psu.edu
KIDS CAN “MAKE A GETAWAY” WITH THIS EDUCATIONAL TOOL
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9. Amazing types can easily have terrible effects on ecosystems, and some have actually triggered
serious troubles influencing the economic climate. MAKE A GETAWAY (Exotic Types
Compendium of Activities to Protect the Ecosystem) pertains to a total effort to instruct youth
about amazing types problems, to explore methods to solve these troubles and to help them
make responsible choices as grownups. Established by the Illinois-Indiana, New York, Ohio,
Michigan and Minnesota Sea Grant programs, ESCAPE is contains a collection of
teacher-developed activities. It utilizes numerous training techniques like the game, “Competing
for Survival,” the likeness “Seeing Purple” and news-reporting task “Great Lakes Grief” to
spread its message to kids. ESCAPE is an imaginative method to instruct K-12 pupils and meet
National Science Specification at the same time. Its hands-on, multi-disciplinary activities
stimulate curiosity about exotics utilizing real-world issues. Devices such as color, laminated
board games, full with lessons plans, directions and game cards are simply one way for kids to
MAKE A GETAWAY and learn about intrusive species.
To learn more, go to: http://www.iisgcp.org/edu/escape
CONTACT: Robin Goettel, Communicator Organizer, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College
Program, (O) 217-333-9448, E-mail: goettel@uiuc.edu
Editor’s Note: Sea Grant Information & Notes is a twice monthly story concept suggestion slab
from NOAA’s National Sea Grant University Program including brief news items, with contact
info, about marine and seaside science study and outreach tasks from around the United
States. For additional info please contact Ben Sherman, Sea Grant Media Relations at
sherman@nasw.org, or by phone at 202-662-7095. Thank you.
Sea Grant is a nationwide network of 30 university-based programs that works with coastal
areas and is supported by NOAA. Sea Grant study and outreach programs promote better
understanding, preservation, and usage of America’s seaside resources. For more details
about Sea Grant visit the Sea Grant Media Center Internet site at: http://www.seagrantnews.org,
which includes on-line keyword searchable database of scholastic specialists in over 30 topical
locations.
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10. More Southern African Wildlife College Mission Press Releases
More information on South African experience at :
http://southafricanexperience.com/sea-grant-education-news-back-to-school-edition-of-sea-gran
t-news-notes/
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