National Sea Grant Review Panel

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National Sea Grant Review Panel Sea Grant
Education Network (SGEN)
Sharon H. Walker, Ph.D.
Location CORE Washington D.C. February 21,
2007
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1966 Legislative Mandates
Research
Communication
Communication
Administration
Adv. Service/ Outreach
Education
Communication
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The National Sea Grant Strategic Plan states

• Educating the 21st Century workforce in
  marine and aquatic sciences is integral to both
  the educational and scientific missions. Sea
  Grants multifaceted education efforts
  contribute to improving marine and aquatic
  literacy by facilitating the delivery of science
  based information, programming, and resources
  to formal and informal education communities.

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A working definition

• Sea Grant education builds knowledge of
  the marine and aquatic environment by developing
  and enhancing multidisciplinary instruction and
  learning among audiences ranging from children to
  adults. Information is delivered using both
  formal and informal methods and science-based
  content. An exemplary and comprehensive Sea
  Grant Education Program used multiple approaches
  to address to needs of this range of learners.

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SGEN Benchmarks

• NOAAs Strategic Vision (2003)
• ORRAPs Education Strategy (2003)
• Pew Oceans Commission Report, Americas Living
  Oceans Charting a Course for Sea Change (2003)
• U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Final Report, An
  Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century (2004)
• U.S. Ocean Action Plan (2004)
• NOAAs Education Strategic Plan (2004)

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SGEN Benchmarks

• The Essential Principles of Ocean Literacy
  (2005)
• The COSEE Business Plan (2005)
• Marine Technology Society Journal (Vol.39, No. 4,
  2005/2006
• Conference of Ocean Literacy Report (CoOL, 2006)
  and
• Joint Ocean Commission Initiative-Report Cards
  (2006 and 2007).

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SGEN Priorities and Opportunities

• (Marine Aquatic Science Literacy Theme
• Team Brochure)
• Professional development programs for educators
• Curriculum development based on sound science
• Collaborations with informal facilities
• Research and education opportunities for
  undergraduate and graduate students

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SGEN Priorities and Opportunities

• (Marine Aquatic Science Literacy Theme Team
  Brochure)
• Technologybased science education
• Assessment and evaluation
• Inclusion of underserved/underrepresented groups
  and
• Fostering collaborations and partnerships.

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SGEN Challenges

• Challenges include NOT HAVING
• Needed fiscal resources (as a minimum, each Sea
  Grant Program must have 1.0 FTE dedicated to
  formal education)
• An education mandate within NOAA (exceptions Sea
  Grant, Sanctuaries, and Reserves)
• A coordinated public awareness campaign

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SGEN Challenges

• Challenges include NOT HAVING
• Significant marine and aquatic sciences within
  the National Science Education Standards and
• Mandates in research proposals for broader
  societal impacts.

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Future Priorities/Actions

• (with increased sustained educational funding)
• Increase coordination and promote collaboration
• Ensure a public awareness campaign through
  coordinated education and outreach messages
• Ensure scientific data are translated into
  useable forms for teachers, students and the
  general public and
• Assess the current and future workforce.

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Sea Scholars
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Professional Development
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Informal Education
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Curriculum Development
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Engaging Scientists In Working With Educators
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Conclusion

• The SGEN is cognizant of the fact there are
  no singular, simplistic solution for enhancing
  ocean and aquatic literacy within this country.
  Only carefully considered multiple, proactive
  education and outreach strategies will lead to an
  enhanced awareness and understanding of the
  relevance of the worlds ocean and its watersheds
  to our everyday lives.

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Contact Information Dr. Sharon Walker Professor
Emeritus, Department of Coastal Sciences Director
of Education, MS-AL Sea Grant Consortium NOAA
Special Projects Education Officer The
University of Southern Mississippi 703 East Beach
Drive Ocean Springs, MS 39564 228-872-4211 sharo
n.walker_at_usm.edu