NSTA National Conference
March 18 – 21, 2010
Philadelphia, PA
COSEE Presentations and Posters
The COSEE Network was well-represented at this year’s National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) meeting, held in Philadelphia from March 18-21.
Exhibition Hall Booth
The COSEE booth was staffed by a combination of COSEE Center and Central Coordinating Office staff. Staff greeted passersby and engaged them in conversation to better understand subjects taught by the teachers (including content, such as earth science teachers who are unable to include the ocean in their courses) and where the teachers are located. Based on the information gathered, booth staff attempted to connect teachers with COSEE Centers located near their homes. In cases when that was not feasible, we tried to offer the most productive solutions.
The booth was located on an aisle of the exhibition hall, which improved visibility, adjacent to the University of Rhode Island Office of Marine Programs booth and the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Network booth.
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| COSEE booth at NSTA 2010 |
The booth provided the following print materials for teachers:
- COSEE Center one-page profiles
- COSEE brochures
- COSEE programs at NSTA flyer
- Ocean Literacy brochures
- Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence CDs and flyers
- Climate Literacy brochures
- Hands-on Physical Oceanography books (TOS/COSEE publication)
- COSEE Summer Teacher Professional Development and Research Experiences
- Materials from individual COSEE Centers
- Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS) CDs
- Ocean Gazing Podcast CDs
COSEE branded give-aways included:
- 450 Eco tote bags
- 300 Magnetic clips
- 500 Pens
- 500 Post-its
An attempt was made to track the number of people who stopped by the booth as well as the number of people who were engaged in conversations about the COSEE Network. Although every interaction was not recorded, we did speak with over 620 teachers. This tracking will also serve as a baseline to better plan booth staffing for heavy volume times at future conventions.
The COSEE Network also offered a variety of activities for teachers attending the conference:
COSEE Concurrent Sessions
On Saturday, COSEE sessions highlighted activities and products designed for classroom science teachers. Session participants came away with links to real-time data, relevant scientific resources, lesson plans, information on regional programs, and connections to a nationwide network of scientists and educators who are dedicated to improving ocean literacy.
Bridge/COSEE-NOW Activity: Can't Take the Heat?
Presenter: Chris Petrone (Virginia Sea Grant: Gloucester Point, VA)
Description: Learn about heat capacity using real, online scientific data. Work through this field tested and classroom-ready activity created by the Bridge website and COSEE NOW.
COSEE-Alaska: Ways of Knowing Ocean Climate Change
Presenter: Marilyn Sigman (Alaska Sea Grant/MAP, Anchorage, AK)
Description: Explore scientific and culturally relevant educational strategies and resources focused on people, oceans, and climate in a region of dramatically accelerating change.
Culturally-relevant ocean sciences education in Hawaii
Presenter: Judy Lemus (University of Hawaii, Kaneohe, HI)
Description: Hawaii-based COSEE Collaborative discusses a new project that integrates traditional knowledge systems with Communicating Ocean Sciences courses in science pedagogy for young science professionals.
COSEE-OS: Scientist-Educator Partnerships to Enhance Rural Ocean Literacy
Presenter: Annette deCharon (Darling Marine Center, University of Maine, Walpole, ME)
Description: Learn how rural educators can create lasting partnerships with ocean-climate researchers to make the ocean more relevant to students through interactive online concept mapping tools.
COSEE-NOW: Linking the Ocean to the Classroom
Presenters: Janice McDonnell (Rutgers University) and Liesl Hotaling (Eidos Education)
Description: Participants will interact with internet based ocean themed learning resources and materials designed for classroom instruction.
The Smithsonian Ocean Portal, COSEE and Encyclopedia of Life: Aggregated digital media for science education
Presenters: Elizabeth Ban (Smithsonian Institution) and Marie Studer (Encyclopedia of Life, Learning and Education Group)
Description: The Smithsonian Ocean Portal, COSEE and Encyclopedia of Life websites deliver the latest vetted scientific information and multi-media educational resources related to oceans and biodiversity.
COSEE-West: Online workshops: access to scientists, educators, resources, and classroom activities, while enhancing skills in the digital world
Presenter: Lynn Whitley (Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies: Los Angeles, CA)
Description: Online workshops provide an opportunity for teachers to interact with marine and aquatic research scientists as well as other teachers, and enhance digital skills.
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| Teachers participating in an activity during the COSEE-SouthEast presentation at NSTA |
COSEE-SE: Broadening Participation of rural students with estuarine scientistsPresenter: Lundie Spence (South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium: Charleston, SC)
Description: Innovative collaborations and strategies engage rural, middle school and university students with research scientists in field and classroom investigations.
The Ocean Literacy Scope & Sequence
Presenter: Craig Strang (Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA)
Description: The Ocean Literacy Scope & Sequence helps you use ocean sciences concepts to address state and national science standards. Come and experience a hands-on introduction.
Practical Applications of the Ocean Literacy Principles Scope and Sequence
Presenter: Catherine Halversen (Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA)
Description: This session features the Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence and presents a model for science educators and scientists to work together to transform concepts into curriculum.
COSEE Luncheon
Robots, Satellites, Sensors and the Sea
Presider: Gail Scowcroft
Presenters: Scott Glenn and Oscar Schofield (Rutgers University)
Description: Ocean scientists and COSEE staff will introduce participants to cutting edge technology used to unravel some of the mysteries of the coastal ocean. These technologies now allow everyone to be an explorer, from the research lab to the classroom. The work of Drs. Glenn and Schofield will not only advanced the field of oceanography, but hopefully will inspire students to access and use real time information in classroom settings. Become an explorer of the changing ocean!
The luncheon was filled to capacity (70 participants). Attendees reported that they had either learned about COSEE and the luncheon through the one-page COSEE feature in the NSTA program, or through speaking with people at the COSEE booth in the exhibit hall. The luncheon attendees were thoroughly engaged and motivated by the presentation. Several people stayed to speak directly with Scott and Oscar. Attendees were a mix of teachers, scientists, professional development providers, and COSEE Network staff.
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| Dr. Scott Glenn (left) and Dr. Oscar Schofield (right) with RU27, the Scarlett Knight glider | | RU27 after completing an eight-month
trans-Atlantic mission |
Future Plans for COSEE at NSTA
The COSEE Network plans to maintain a presence at the National NSTA conference for at least two more years (NSTA 2011 in San Francisco and NSTA 2012 in Indianapolis). For the 2011 conference, we plan to submit a similar format for the conference, including an exhibition hall booth, proposals for short courses, a series of concurrent sessions organized into a day of concurrent sessions, and a COSEE-sponsored luncheon.
