HR: 17:45h
AN: ED24A-08    [Abstracts]
TI: SCUBAnauts International: Exploration and Discovery in the Ocean Sciences
AU: * Moses, C S
EM: cmoses@marine.usf.edu
AF: University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Ave. South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
AU: Palandro, D
EM: David.Palandro@MyFWC.com
AF: Florida Fiish and Wildlife Research Inst., 100 Eighth Ave. South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
AU: Coble, P
EM: pcoble@marine.usf.edu
AF: University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Ave. South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
AU: Hu, C
EM: hu@marine.usf.edu
AF: University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Ave. South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
AB: The SCUBAnauts International program originated in 2001, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to increase the attraction to science and technology careers in today's youth. SCUBAnauts International (SNI) consists of a diverse group of 12 to 18 year-old young men and women mentored by academic, federal, and state research scientists in an informal education environment. The program's mission is to promote interest in science and technology topics and careers by involving secondary education students as young explorers in the marine sciences and research activities, such as special environmental and undersea conservation projects that educate, promote active citizenship, and develop effective leadership skills. With help from mentors, SNI students collect and interpret research-quality data to meet the needs of ocean scientists, maintaining direct interaction between the scientists and the young men and women in the program. The science component of the program includes collection of benthic habitat, water quality, optics, and coral reef health data. During the school year, the SCUBAnauts are tasked with sharing their experiences to raise the environmental awareness of a larger audience by providing education outreach in formal and informal venues. Here we highlight results from recent SNI activities including data collection and program methodologies, and discuss future plans for the program.
DE: 0815 Informal education
DE: 4220 Coral reef systems (4916)
DE: 4275 Remote sensing and electromagnetic processes (0689, 2487, 3285, 4455, 6934)
DE: 6699 General or miscellaneous
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting