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. Creating Partnerships Between Researchers, Teachers and Students: Comparing Model Output to Data Collected by Field Trips on Puget Sound. Christian P. Sarason 1, Frederick R. (Fritz) Stahr 1, and Mitsuhiro Kawase 2 ; 1 Ocean Inquiry Project, P.O. Box 23189, Seattle, WA 98102; 2 School of Oceanography, University of Washington, 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. During the Spring of 2003, OIP used a variety of computer simulations in concert with field-based oceanographic activities. Figures 1 and 2 show a comparison of model runs for OIP cruise 39, a field trip run with University of Washington, Tacoma, oceanography students. For an excellent summary of their field efforts, see: When fully implemented, our computer-based and field-based curricula will be evaluated to see which approach, or combination, helps students learn best about Puget Sound and oceanography; our first study designed to test this question is slated to begin in Fall Quarter of 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 Many thanks to Cheryl Greengrove and her students at UW, Tacoma for their excellent work. Future Directions 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. Animation Frames Model and Data integration through Environmental Informatics Bloodstream XML tagged environmental data OIP students collect data in the field; send to bloodstream PSMEM models assimilate data into next model run PSMEM models send model ouput to bloodstream OIP students view latest model results; adjust sampling plans for the future accordingly source sink CTD cast Model run Model run Historical data Historical data Model vs. Field Data Figure 2: Plots of temperature and salinity vs. depth for both field data collected with OIP’s CTD and model data for the same day. Stations 1 to 3 form an east west line across the mouth of Commencement Bay (see Figure 1.) Station 1 is located on the western edge of Commencement Bay; station 3 is on the east side. Model data was created by averaging temperature and salinity values at each depth for the entire day corresponding to the field data (May 9, 2003). The error bars shown are 1 standard deviation for this time period, and as expected are largest near the surface. Error bars for the salinity model data are roughly the size of the point plotted. Field data was collected and worked up by University of Washington, Tacoma, Oceanography students on OIP Cruise 39. Discrepancies between model and field data are most likely a result of the boundary condition applied at the mouth of Puget Sound; year 2000 data was used, which may not be historically representative. Field Stations Teachers can view latest model runs in class before getting into the field. Temperature (°C) Salinity (psu)