Program News

Education

A workshop designed to explore the feasibility of establishing a national Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) is being funded by NSF's Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) and Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE). This workshop is charged with determining the needs of ocean sciences education in the United States (informal education, K-12 education, undergraduate, and graduate education). This needs assessment will include reviewing the manner by which ocean sciences research results are made available for education. The identified needs will be prioritized and strategies addressing these needs will be recommended to NSF.

This effort is being chaired by Dr. Sharon Walker of the University of Southern Mississippi and Dr. Dean McManus of the University of Washington and a seven person steering committee (Ms. Paula Keener-Chavis, Charleston, SC Math and Science Hub; Dr. Benjamin Cuker, Hampton University; Ms. Patricia Goodnight, Washington, D.C. Public Schools; Dr. Susan Humphris, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Ms. Lee Larkin, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences/Virginia Sea Grant Program; Dr. Donald Reed, San Jose State University; Ms. Veronique Robigou, University of Washington; and Dr. Jerry Schubel, New England Aquarium). We anticipate approximately 75 participants from the ocean sciences community will attend. The participants will include both scientists who are primarily researchers and educators who represent informal, precollege, undergraduate, and graduate education.

The COSEE Workshop will be conducted May 23-26, 2000 at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Gulf Park Campus Conference Center in Long Beach, Mississippi. A formal report produced as a result of the Workshop will be submitted to NSF in Fall 2000 and will be made available to the community. This Workshop offers our community an unequaled opportunity to discuss and recommend enhancements in ocean sciences education in this country.

Other recent Education events include the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), organized by the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE). Supported in part by OCE, this academic competition is for high school students and focuses on ocean-related topics. In April, the NOSB Finals were held outside of Baltimore, MD at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies. Lexington High School, Boston, MA won the competition, while State College High School, State College, PA placed second, Cranston High School West, Cranston, RI came in third, and Chapman High School, Inman, SC placed fourth. These teams were rewarded with trips to marine-related research and education sites, and other educational materials. Congratulations to all of the teams and coaches for a great competition!

Elizabeth Day (eday@nsf.gov)
Lisa Rom (erom@nsf.gov)