2006 Sea Scholars Hawaii to California

Ocean exploration is truly interdisciplinary. It requires close collaboration among biologists, chemists, climatologists, computer programmers, engineers, geologists, meteorologists, and physicists, and new ways of thinking. Ocean Literacy: Essential Principle 7, The ocean is largely unexplored.

Sea Scholars Teachers-to-Sea Sea Scholars, a component of COSEE, strengthens the potential for classroom teachers in their search for an increased understanding of oceanographic and coastal processes science and technological literacy. Reinforcement of content though experiences Dr. Sharon Walker

Bathymetry Soundings data collected at Loihi, one of the most recent islands being formed in the Hawaiian Island Chain, was processed into a three-dimensional map. NAVOCEANO acoustical workshops were presented to educators onboard during the real- time data collection. Increased use of computational science and visualization Dr. Sharon Walker

Physical Oceanography Throughout the ocean there is one interconnected circulation system powered by wind, tides, the force of the Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect), the Sun, and water density differences. The shape of the ocean basins and adjacent land masses influence the path of circulation. Ocean Literacy: Essential Principle 1, The Earth has one big ocean with many features.

Cartography augmented pedagogy Cartography, the science of mapping, is an example of augmented pedagogy (teaching strategies.) Dr. Sharon Walker

Biological Oceanography bridging the gap Sea scholar educational instruction is “bridging the gap” between the results of scientific data and the relevance of those data to the everyday lives of precollege teachers and their students. Dr. Sharon Walker

Meteorology the teacher is the enabler the inspiration “… what science education will be in any one year for any one child, is most dependent on what that teacher knows, does, and believes…or doesn’t know, doesn’t do, or doesn’t believe; for the teacher is the enabler, the inspiration, or the constraint for this nation’s students.” National Science Foundation (1978)

Geological Oceanography oceanographic and coastal processes sciencecontent-oriented technologyintegration curricular strategies On interactive methods of instruction, “ Sea scholar efforts provide the platform for implementing content and resources aimed at strengthening teachers in three areas: oceanographic and coastal processes science, content-oriented technology integration, and curricular strategies to establish broad content integration, aligned with the National Science Education Standards.” Dr. Sharon Walker

Integrated Curriculum Development New technologies, sensors and tools are expanding our ability to explore the ocean. Ocean scientists are relying more and more on satellites, drifters, buoys, subsea observatories and unmanned submersibles. Ocean Literacy: Essential Principle 7, The ocean is largely unexplored.. enthusiasmimpetusself-confidence The Sea Scholar voyages provide teachers with the enthusiasm, impetus, and self-confidence to better understand the relevance of ocean sciences research data. Dr. Sharon Walker

Networking and Resource Sharing Sea Scholar experiences translate into a desire by these participants to share this enhanced content knowledge and increased instructional strategies with their preK-12 students in the classroom and with other professionals at national and state conferences. Dr. Sharon Walker

“Sea Scholar voyages have been ongoing for the past 10 years, housing more than 200 educators. This year marks the first year of new grant funding for another 5 years.” “We are very proud of the Sea Scholar effort and the reported success of our participants in implementing their newly acquired instructional strategies in ocean education. Having been a high school teacher and researcher, I understand the need for professional development.” “ I enjoy hearing the teachers say, I will never teach the same way again.” Dr. Sharon Walker

“the exciting thing about the ocean is that its science is virtually all relevant to societal needs – quality of life, economic development national security, education …” Watkins, (2000)