SACNAS National Conference
September 30 - October 2, 2010
Anaheim, CA
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| SACNAS pow wow |
Conference Sessions
In collaboration with SACNAS the COSEE Network co-sponsored an ocean science symposium and an education panel focused on career opportunities:
Biodiversity and Sustainability in the Sea: An Interdisciplinary Approach
Location: Anaheim Convention Center, Hall B
Date: Friday, October 1
Time: 8:30am – 10:00am
Overview and Objectives
The complexity of the marine environment and needs of communities that use marine resources suggest researchers adopt interdisciplinary approaches to implement sustainable use of marine resources. In this session marine scientists will present interdisciplinary research aimed at mediating impacts on marine systems and developing sustainable use practices. Approximately 80 people attended the session.
Session Chair
Cory Garza, Assistant Professor, California State University, Monterey Bay
Sarah Mesnick, Ecologist, NOAA Fisheries
Session Speakers
Mark Carr, Professor, University of California, Santa Cruz
Ana Pitchon, Assistant Professor, California State University, Dominguez Hills
Rashid Sumaila, Professor and Director, Fisheries Economics Research Unit, University of British Columbia
Sponsor
SACNAS (via a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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| SACNAS pow wow |
Explore the Ocean and Sustain SocietyLocation: Anaheim Convention Center, Hall B
Date: Saturday, October 2
Time: 3:15pm – 5:00pm
The “Explore the Ocean and Sustain Society” SACNAS Education Session was a panel focused on the promotion of dialog among attendees about pursuing a career in ocean science particularly in the context of sustainable use of marine resources and human welfare. A panel of three speakers offered their perspectives:
Career Opportunities in Ocean Sciences
Deidre Sullivan, (PI/Director, MATE Center, Monterey Peninsula College)
Technology Applications and Opportunities in Ocean Sciences (PDF, 3.92 MB)
Dawn J. Wright (Professor of Geography and Oceanography, Oregon State University, Department of Geosciences)
Ocean Exploration, Deep Submergence Systems Engineering, Telepresence, and Educational Outreach (Power Point, 68.45 MB)
Dwight Coleman, Director (Deep Sea Geology/Ocean Exploration (Inner Space Center)
After the panel presentations, the floor was opened to questions and discussion.
Session Chair
Cory Garza, Assistant Professor, California State University, Monterey Bay
Gail Scowcroft, Assistant Director, Office of Marine Programs, University of Rhode Island
Liesl Hotaling
Sponsor
Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE), SACNAS (via a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences) and speakers' institutions, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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| COSEE booth at SACNAS |
Exhibition Hall BoothLocation: Anaheim Convention Center
Dates: Friday, October 1 (1:30pm – 6pm) – Saturday, October 2 (9am – 12pm)
The booth was staffed by Central Coordinating Office staff. Staff greeted passersby and engaged them in conversation to better understand subjects represented by the professors, teachers and students and where they are located. Based on the information gathered, booth staff attempted to connect attendees with COSEE Centers located near their homes. In cases when that was not feasible, we tried to offer the most productive solutions.
The following print materials were available for teachers and students in the COSEE Booth:
- COSEE Center one page profiles
- Materials from individual COSEE Centers
- EPO Guide for Scientists
- Discovery of Sounds in the Sea CD and print material
- COSEE-Ocean Systems recent TOS publication Physical Oceanography Activities for the High School Classroom
- Opportunities and funding/scholarships/fellowships (Word, 47 KB) available through the COSEE Centers and related higher education institutions for undergraduate and graduate students
COSEE branded give-aways included:
- Magnetic clips
- Pens
- Post-its
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| COSEE booth at SACNAS |
An attempt was made to track the number of people who stopped by the booth and the number of people engaged in conversations about the COSEE Network. Over 250 people stopped by the booth and the team engaged with over 130 professors, teachers and students in one-on-one conversations. Several middle, high school and undergraduate teachers indicated that they would use the physical oceanography activities in their classes.
Students were extremely interested in internships and research experience opportunities. In addition, the conversations provided opportunities for explaining how various subject areas could be applied to ocean science research (for example, several mathematics majors had no idea that their math skills could be applied to computational modeling of the ocean).
Future Plans for COSEE at SACNAS
The COSEE Network plans to maintain a presence at the SACNAS conference for at least two more years (SACNAS 2011 will be held in San Jose, CA from October 27 – 30). We will continue to exhibit in the exhibit hall and propose sessions focused on ocean sciences content and opportunities for student attendees to interface with practicing ocean scientists.
