Media
Contact: Lisa Young
251/861-7509
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded eight grants to form
seven Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) around the
country to facilitate collaborations and communications between ocean
science researchers and educators. The Central Gulf of Mexico Center is
headquartered at the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center in Biloxi, MS;
the Alabama satellite for this coalition is located at the Dauphin
Island Sea Lab, under the helm of Dr. John J. Dindo.
This three-year program will begin this summer at the Sea Lab, linking
twelve middle school teachers with twelve research scientists, each pair
becoming a team, exploring the ways cutting-edge scientific developments
can be taught most effectively in the classroom.
"Scientists dwell in a world of hypotheses, testing, results and
interpretation. Teachers answer to a set of national and state
standards, as well as the issues of student interest and enthusiasm.
This program seeks to introduce one world to another, so that teachers
can understand the scientific process and scientists can learn methods
of introducing their work to a broader audience," says Dr. Dindo.
In addition to a five-day institute at the Sea Lab, teachers will enroll
in a ten-day on-line workshop; will develop a professional workshop and
curriculum utilizing oceanic and coastal concepts; and will conduct a
professional presentation at the state, regional or national level.
Teachers will also receive graduate credit for their participation.
"These teachers will also become satellites of information for their own
schools and school systems," added Dr. Dindo. "Wešre hoping to extend
the benefits of this program to as many educators as we can."
This project is funded by the National Science Foundation; the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Sea Grant College
Program, and the National Oceanographic Partnership Program/Office of
Naval Research.
Other Central Gulf of Mexico satellites are Mississippišs J.L. Scott
Marine Education Center; Florida Museum of Natural History; Louisiana
Universities Marine Consortium; and The University of Texas Marine
Science Institute.
For more information on the Sea Labšs COSEE program, contact Denise
Keaton at 251/861-7515 or e-mail dkeaton@disl.org. |