Podcasts from Thank You Ocean

In the most recent podcast in the series Thank You Ocean Report, Dirk Rosen, founder and president of Marine Applied Research and Exploration (MARE),  talks about how, in our need for more information about the health of marine ecosystems, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are becoming important new allies as they help scientists ‘see’ beneath the surface of the ocean. Listen to the podcast

NOAA Teacher at Sea Program

Have you ever thought about shipping out to sea? This National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association program will begin accepting applications on October 1 from K–12 teachers for the 2010 field season. The program provides a unique environment for learning and teaching by sending kindergarten through college teachers to sea aboard NOAA research and survey ships to work under the tutelage of scientists and crew. Then, armed with new understanding and experience, teachers bring this knowledge back to their classrooms. Most participants try to sail on cruises offered during the summer, but cruises take place throughout most of the year on a space-available basis. Find out more

Field Trip Cruise Aboard Collecting Vessel – Woods Hole

Bring your class on a field trip to Woods Hole to collect specimens and observe the diversity of the benthic community. Experience first-hand how organisms are collected for scientific study, cruise aboard the collecting vessel R/V Freedom.  Sponsored by the Zephyr Education Foundation

Teacher Workshop and Teacher/Student Overnight

Building New England Connections (BNEC) brings together teams of teachers using the watersheds and coastal environments of New England as a context for learning.  Project Oceanology and Connecticut Sea Grant are providing this opportunity with funding from NOAA’s Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program. First,  a 2-day professional development session at Project Oceanology in Groton, Connecticut, November 6-7,  in which teachers will be immersed in a model research experience while sharing ideas and resources to facilitate the incorporation of estuarine and watershed concepts into your classroom curriculum.
In addition, two teachers and fifty (50) of their students (one team from each New England state) will participate in a 2-day overnight research project of coastal and watershed environments including an oceanographic research cruise, laboratory and field studies, scheduled for the Winter and Spring 2010.

To begin, form a team from your school (2 teachers and 1 supervisor or 3 teachers) and contact Lauren Rader, 860.445.9007, lrader@oceanology.org

Mystic Aquarium Penguin Run/Walk

Lace up your sneakers and get ready to run or walk for the good of our feathered friends. Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration will hold a 5K run and 2-mile walk at 9 AM  on Saturday, October 17 to benefit the Aquarium’s African penguins.

The event also includes a middle school cross-country team competition and new fundraising team competition. Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers and in eight age divisions for males and females. Click here to learn more.

Job Opening – Whale Center Operations Coordinator

The Whale Center of New England in Gloucester, MA, is looking for an Operations Coordinator.  Tasks include bookkeeping; managing a membership/donor database; overseeing and (at times) staffing a Visitor Center/Gift Shop; general office duties including payroll, correspondence, record-keeping.  Position also includes (with provided training) responding to occasional marine mammal strandings.  A full job description is posted online.  Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to Executive Director Mason Weinrich at mason@whalecenter.org.

Free Open House at Mystic Aquarium for Educators and Their Families

On Thursday, October 8 from 6:15 to 8 p.m., teachers of all grades, science coordinators, principals, superintendents and home-schoolers and their families are invited to discover Mystic Aquarium’s educational offerings. Attendees will have the opportunity to see the aquarium’s classrooms, class materials and program outlines, meet the education department staff, explore a behind-the-scenes area and enter to win a free Penguin Encounter program and other marine prizes.
Reservations are requested. For more information or to register for the event, please call (860) 572-5955, ext. 520.

STEM Programs for Girls – Fall Forum in Western Massachusetts

The Northeastern Girls Collaborative (NEGC) will hold a Fall Forum at the Engineering and Nanotechnology Ford Hall at Smith College, Amherst, MA on Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 4:00pm. to 6:00pm.   The Fall Forum will feature a number of successful Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs serving K-12 girls in Western Massachusetts, provide information on the goals and objectives of the National Girls Collaborative Project and encourage collaborative efforts among individuals, schools, non-profit organizations, government agencies and corporations.

Too often programs serving girls in STEM are limited in service and impact due to size, location, funding, expertise and equipment,  In other cases, projects compete with each other, duplicating services and seeking the same resources.  The NEGC aims to reduce this competition and increase STEM outreach, interest and participation by providing opportunities for interested individuals to come together and leverage the know-how, talents and resources of programs with like-minded interests.

Registration will begin in early October. For additional information, contact Kim Edgar at KimberlyEdgar@aol.com or #603-448-3708

World of Water Explorers Program for 9th and 10th Graders at NE Aquarium

Do you know of any youth in the 9^th or 10^th grades who are interested in learning about the New England Aquarium while building skills for problem-solving, leadership and environmental stewardship? If so, encourage them to apply to the fall 2009 World of Water Explorers program. The WoW Program takes place over six Saturdays – October 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, & 21, from 10AM to 4PM –  in which participants will learn to conduct marine-based science experiments, practice public speaking, and explore characteristics and needs of animals and exhibits of the Aquarium. More details

For any questions please contact Heather in the Harbor Discoveries Office at 617-973-0253 or send an email to harbordiscoveries@neaq.org.

NMEA News Online

NMEA News, the National Marine Educators Association’s newsletter, keeps members up-to-date with news from regional chapters and committees, information about professional development opportunities, and communications from NMEA leadership.  NMEA News is being published exclusively online.

NMEA News, Volume 25, Issue 3, Fall 2009, is available online.  Should you have questions, email nmea@usm.edu