Students collect a water sample. An amphipod that couldn’t escape our nets. Figure 1: This screenshot shows the controlling page for running model animations. The boxes indicate areas for which zoomed in animations are available. The images at right are individual frames from temperature and salinity animations. Seeing the Sound: Learning Through Model Visualizations and Field Experiences Christian P. Sarason and Frederick R. (Fritz) Stahr; Ocean Inquiry Project, P.O. Box 23189, Seattle, WA Puget Sound is a complicated estuary and an excellent place to learn about oceanographic concepts. Since 1999, Ocean Inquiry Project (OIP) has involved introductory level students in field-based research experiences on Puget Sound. OIP participants are primarily community college oceanography students, who sample a number of monitoring stations using a CTD, plankton nets, secchi disk, etc. Recently, OIP created a web-based system for exploring a numerical model of Puget Sound (POM model by M. Kawase, Univ. of Washington) as part of a partnership program called the Puget Sound Marine Environmental Modeling (PSMEM) group. Using OIP’s new web-based exploration tools for the model data, students will be able to investigate the Sound before getting into the field, thus getting exposure to additional facets of oceanographic science. The system is available to anyone with access to the Web at Using this tool for quick insight into the circulation of Puget Sound will form an excellent precursor to more in-depth investigations, both by interested lay- persons and researchers alike. When fully implemented, the computer-based and field- based curricula will be evaluated to see which approach, or combination, helps students learn best about Puget Sound and oceanography. Introduction Ocean Inquiry Project Concept Learning through Inquiry Field Experiences Stimulating Science Experiences Positive Science Experiences Interaction with Scientists Hands-on Learning Multi-disciplinary Learning Experiences RESEARCH COMMUNITY NEEDS Outreach and Public Education Increased sampling resolution in time and space Validation of Models Water Quality Monitoring Teaching Opportunities for Graduate Students Watch for Invasive Species Secchi Depth Measurements EDUCATION COMMUNITY NEEDS Catalyst: OIP Stir Well EVERYBODY WINS!! Public Interest in Research Fun & excitement about Scientific Discoveries Effective Observations Sense of Ownership of Puget Sound Increases Likelihood of Good Stewardship Knowledge of Scientific Process Connections between Students and Researchers Increased Sampling Rates Students get a close-up view of some benthic animals. Ocean Inquiry Project is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible. We are seeking project funds, ship time, instrumentation, and a vessel. For more information about our programs please see our web site at: This work is supported by NOPP grant number N Future Directions  Complete profile tool for sampling model and archived data at multiple locations in the Sound (e.g. PRISM, DOE, KC-DNR and OIP stations)  Complete fully functional interface simultaneous to PSMEM “now-cast” model data becoming available.  Improve pre- and post-cruise curricula with context for extant research and opportunities to pose questions.  Focus on promoting inquiry while at sea. Figure2: Screen shot from Virtual Puget Sound. Water speed and direction for one tidal cycle are represented by vectors that repeat continuously. An interactive tide chart enables students to stop and start the tides in order to test their ideas about the relationships between water speed, direction and tidal cycle. GB/PSRC POSTER #6-4 Day 1: (2.5 hrs. in classroom)  Introduction using Virtual Puget Sound (VPS) to provide background and context (see Figure 2.)  Demonstrate web interface for examining in-situ data and visualizations of computer model (see Figure 1.)  Work with data to discover major temporal cycles and spatial patterns, including prior in-situ data.  Check in-situ data vs. predictions from the computer model.  Predict temperature and salinity at cruise sampling locations  Case Study considering the use of Secchi disk depth as a measure of water quality. Is it possible to use a single indicator for the health of Puget Sound? Day 2: (7 hrs. on ship in Puget Sound)  Oceanographic research & education cruise with Ocean Inquiry Project: sample physical and biological properties at 3 different locations. Deploy CTD, plankton nets and secchi disk at each station. Day 3: (2.5 hrs. in classroom)  Compare data collected to predictions from both model and prior in-situ data.  Use VPS for circulation context and model visualization for temperature & salinity context.  Create concept map for Puget Sound processes.  Revisit Secchi depth case study.  Test & Evaluations. Curriculum Outline for 1-credit “Puget Sound Oceanography” class FLOOD SLACK EBB Development Guidelines for Model Exploration Interface The interface should:  Be easy and intuitive to use.  Allow user-driven inquiry.  Illustrate time-dependent phenomena at multiple temporal scales via animations.  Allow comparison of model data to in- situ data collected in the field.