HR: 09:30h
AN: ED21A-07    [PDF]
TI: Enhancing K-12 Ocean Science Education Through Multi-level Partnership
AU: * Greely, T M
EM: greely@marine.usf.edu
AF: College of Marine Science University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 United States
AU: Coble, P
EM: pcoble@marine.usf.edu
AF: College of Marine Science University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 United States
AU: Betzer, P R
EM: pbetzer@marine.usf.edu
AF: College of Marine Science University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 United States
AB: This paper highlights the results of long-term collaborations between the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science (CMS) and the Pinellas County school district (22nd largest nationally) to advance and improve K-12 Earth/Ocean science education. The 12-year mission of Education and Public Outreach (EPO) in the College of Marine Science has been to meaningfully integrate ocean science research and science learning to enhance K-12 education for teachers and students. Our interactive and interdisciplinary programs include research cruises, field trips, authentic research projects, satellite broadcasts, and web-based technologies. This paper will focus on two programs, the Oceanography Camp for Girls and Teachers and Project Oceanography. We will address impact of these programs, what works, the role and value of partnerships, sustainability and future initiatives. An especially critical aspect of EPO is partnerships. Our partners include people, scientific facilities, community, and donors. Financial partnerships provide sustainability and continuity. For example, private donors have built a series of endowments to support the Oceanography Camp for Girls currently valued at over \$1 million. Given the recent shift in state and federal funding priorities, private funding is a vital element of successful EPO programs. To date, marine science EPO partnerships have included 34 state agencies, universities, private research laboratories, schools, and museums; 75 scientist, advanced graduate students and teachers as co-instructors; 4 television stations and 2 production companies; and over 2,000,000 participants in 7 countries. Multi-level partnerships are enhancing K-12 classrooms around the world with relevant ocean science content and resources to further science interests, ocean awareness, and informed decision making.
UR: http://www.marine.usf.edu
DE: 6605 Education
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting