HR: 11:20h
AN: ED22A-05
TI: Bringing Real-Life Marine Science Experience to the Classroom: Results From a Teacher in the Bering Sea
AU: * Karavias, J A
EM: jkaravias@shufsd.org
AF: Walt Whitman High School, 301 West Hills Rd, Huntington Station, NY 11746, United States
AU: Kelly, R P
EM: rokelly@gso.uri.edu
AF: University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, 215 South Ferry Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882, United States
AB: Many public school science teachers are "textbook" teachers who lack basic research experience. Conversely, many scientists fail to relate their findings back to the general public in a meaningful way. The ARMADA project, funded by the National Science Foundation, is an effective program that exposes teachers to real-world oceanographic experiences. Additionally, the ARMADA project provides opportunities for teachers to pass on first hand experiences from the research community to their classrooms. After participating in a month long cruise aboard the USCGC Healy during July 2008 as part of the Bering Sea Ecosystem Study (BEST), a new appreciation for field research was developed. As part of a group from the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, first hand experience was gained on how marine scientists study the effects of global climate change in the Bering Sea. These experiences at sea have resulted in changes to the marine biology class curriculum to include the tools and techniques used by marine scientists to conduct their work. One lesson in particular discusses anthropogenic impacts on polar regions. In addition, students' attitudes toward the class have changed. For example, a lesson on global climate change from a teacher who has first hand experience of climate change research is far more effective than from one who lacks it. The effect of having a teacher who has unique field experience in front of the classroom on students is immeasurable. In addition, the presence of a teacher at sea encourages the scientists to reduce their work to the most significant observations and conclusions on a daily basis during the cruise, helping to prepare the scientists for future public communications. In this manner, the gap between science research and public education is reduced.
UR: http://armadaproject.org
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 0850 Geoscience education research
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2008 Fall Meeting