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Teacher at Sea Program: Hands-On for Science Teachers
By Teachers.Net News Desk
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Anne Artz, a high school science teacher at The Preuss School in La Jolla, Calif., returned from a 12-day science expedition helping NOAA scientists survey clams off the New England coast. Artz participated in the expedition as part of the Teacher at Sea Program, which bridges science and education.
“Through the NOAA Teacher at Sea program, my students not only learned first-hand about exciting research projects at sea, they were witnesses to them, and on some level, participants in them,” said Artz. “Making their learning relevant through my own hands-on experiences has been vital in getting students excited about science.”
After boarding the NOAA ship Delaware II in Woods Hole, Mass. Artz spent nearly two weeks dredging the ocean floor with scientists for a surf clam survey. Artz created a blog that includes information about important research, life at sea, interviews with scientists, and photos. The blog can be accessed at: http://teacheratsea.wordpress.com/category/noaa-teacher-at-sea-2/anne-artz/.
“NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program immerses teachers in hands-on research experiences that give them clearer insight into our ocean planet, a greater understanding of maritime work and studies, and increased knowledge of environmental literacy,” said Jennifer Hammond, the program’s director. “Participating in real-world research allows teachers to gain experience actually doing science, which makes a significant impact when they bring back their knowledge to their classrooms, teaching students how the oceans affect their lives.”
Now in its 21st year, the program has provided over 600 teachers the opportunity to gain first-hand experience participating in science at sea. This year, NOAA received applications from more than 250 teachers, and chose over 30 individuals to participate in the cruises. The educators chosen are able to enrich their curricula with the depth of understanding they gain by living and working side-by-side, day and night, with scientists studying the marine environment.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources.
Applications for the next session will be accepted as of October 1, 2011. To learn more about the program and how to apply go to http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov/about/index.html
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