Kevin Schabow-NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office Josh Falk-Smithsonian Env. Research Center Cat Stylinski-UMCES Appalachian Lab Innovative Approaches to the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE)

Science, Service, & Stewardship Presentation Outline Background to the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience Overview of NOAA B-WET Program Spotlight MWEE Programs -Student Training in Aquatic Research (SERC) -Mapping and Monitoring Maryland Streams (UMCES Appalachian Lab)

Science, Service, & Stewardship Chesapeake Bay Program Governor of MD Governor of VA Governor of PA Executive Council Mayor of DC Chair of Chesapeake Bay Commission EPA Administrator

Science, Service, & Stewardship Bay Program Education Commitments Endorsed by Governors of the Bay Watershed and DC Mayor Keystone Commitment signed in 2000 “Beginning with the class of 2005, provide a meaningful Bay or stream outdoor experience for every school student in the watershed before graduation from high school.” Endorsement of the MWEE (Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience)- January 2005

Science, Service, & Stewardship What is a MWEE? Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience Investigative or Project-oriented 3 Phases: Preparation, Action, & Reflection Integral, Sustained Part of Instructional Program Studies Watershed as a System – Projects not always on Bay External Sharing & Communication

Science, Service, & Stewardship

NOAA B-WET Began in Chesapeake Region in 2002 to support MWEE implementation Has expanded to 5 other regions-California, Hawai’i, Pacific NW, Gulf of Mexico, New England Variations on a theme: –All programs focus on meaningful watershed experiences –Specific implementation tailored to local needs –Built upon established NOAA presence

Science, Service, & Stewardship Educational Programming of NCBO Experiential Learning for K-12 Classrooms B-WET In-Depth Studies in High School Emerging Scientist Project NOAA Internships College and Early Career Community Engagement NEMO, Environmental Science Training Center Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System Curricula, Web-Based Investigations Nauticus Exhibits, Lecture Series, Education Resource Center Strategic Initiatives Summer Camps Learning through Observations Collaboration

Science, Service, & Stewardship Chesapeake B-WET Awards Priority Areas defined each year by FFO 1 to 3 year Cooperative Agreements $25,000 - $200,000 grants based upon priority area Eligible organizations: -K-12 schools & school divisions, colleges, State & local agencies, & non-profits Examples of Funded Projects: bay grass or riparian forest restoration, storm water management, schoolyard habitat & fisheries research

Science, Service, & Stewardship NOAA B-WET Funding by State

Science, Service, & Stewardship Priority Areas

Science, Service, & Stewardship MWEEs for Students High-quality projects that provide opportunities for K-12 students to participate in MWEEs when the applicant can demonstrate that it is not possible or in the projects best interest to meet the criteria of an exemplary program.

Science, Service, & Stewardship Teacher Professional Development Provide K-12 teachers opportunities for professional development when the applicant can demonstrate that it is not possible or in the projects best interest to meet the criteria of an exemplary program. Multi-day professional development opportunities with continual support Reinforces teacher's ability to teach, inspire, and lead young people toward thoughtful stewardship of our natural resources.

Science, Service, & Stewardship Exemplary Programs Programs combining Teacher Professional Development with long- term classroom-integrated MWEEs for their Students

Science, Service, & Stewardship

Proving Success: MWEE Evaluation Purpose: Evaluate the effectiveness of the program design Goal: To determine if meaningful watershed experiences supported by NOAA B-WET increase the stewardship ethic and/or academic achievement of students Partnership Effort: Funded by NOAA, Chesapeake Bay Trust & Keith Campbell Foundation Students receiving meaningful experiences increased in environmental stewardship qualities –Intention to Act to protect Chesapeake Bay –Knowledge of issues confronting watershed –Knowledge of actions in which they can engage to protect watershed Teachers receiving B-WET training: –Increased confidence in their ability to deliver experiences –Increased likelihood of implementing experiences Almost all teachers taught about the Bay after the PD, including large majority of teachers who had not done so before training 3/4 of teachers used the outdoors to teach about the watershed 1/3 implemented complete meaningful watershed experiences