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NOAA Education. NOAA’s Role in Ocean Literacy: Building Meaningful Partnerships. Christos Michalopoulos Assistant Director for Formal and Informal Education Office of Education National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA Vision.
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NOAA Education NOAA’s Role in Ocean Literacy: Building Meaningful Partnerships Christos Michalopoulos Assistant Director for Formal and Informal Education Office of Education National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA Vision • An informed society that uses a comprehensive understanding of the role of the oceans, coasts, and atmosphere in the global ecosystem to make the best social and economic decisions.
NOAA Office of Education Serves as a staff office to the NOAA Education Council. Drafts policies and position documents for the Education Council and NOAA leadership. Coordinates the implementation of a corporate NOAA education program. Develops education infrastructure (e.g., environmental literacy performance measures) Coordinates Federal and non-federal education partnerships for the agency.
NOAA Education Programs • Field Programs with Educators: • 13 National Marine Sanctuaries and one National Monument • 30 National Sea Grant College Programs • 27 National Estuarine Research Reserves • 3 Bay Watershed Education and Training Programs in Chesapeake Bay, Monterey Bay and Hawaii • Other National Programs: • Ocean Exploration • Educational Partnership with Minority Serving Institutions • Teacher at Sea
Of Potential Interest to ASTA • Environmental Literacy Grants • Ocean Literacy effort • NOAA Place-based Programs: Potential ASTA Partners
Environmental Literacy Grants: FY06 Overview • Received 172 applications and reviewed 142 proposals worth approx. $66 million • FFO1/Priority 1: Further the use of Ocean Literacy principles and concepts in formal and informal education • Reviewed 92 applications and funded 3 • FFO1/Priority 2: Strengthen the capacity for developing a knowledgeable workforce in weather and climate fields • Reviewed 38 applications and funded 2 • FFO2/Science of a Sphere installations • Reviewed 12 applications and funded 3 • Funded 8 proposals worth approx. $3 million
Environmental Literacy Grants: FY07 Update • Two of three Federal Funding Opportunity announcements are out • FFO1: • Free-choice learning: Providing consistent Earth System Science messages through extensive networks • Minimum request $200K; maximum request $750K • FFO2: • K-12 Education: Infusing Earth System Science into K-12 education through pre-service and in-service teacher professional development, curriculum development, etc. • Minimum request $200K; maximum request $750K • This year pre-proposals required, due November 29, 2006 • Third FFO on spherical visualizations of Earth System Science data should be out by December/January
Environmental Literacy Grants: FY07 Update • For more information please visit: http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/funding_opps.html http://www.grants.gov
Ocean Literacy Through Science Standards…A Year LaterRita Bell, Francesca Cava, Beth Jewell, Judy Lemus, Mellie Lewis, Sarah Schoedinger, Craig Strang, Peter Tuddenham, Lynn Whitley NMEA2006
The Challenge • Ocean topics were mostly ignored in US K-12 education. • There was no consensus on what was important to include in the classroom. • The American public was largely ignorant of the importance of the ocean in their lives.
The Response • National Geographic Society, NMEA, NOAA, COSEE Network, College of Exploration and others agreed to work together • A mechanism was developed to build consensus • An online conference was sponsored to solicit input • Face-to-face meeting with iterativefeedback online • Agreement was reached in several key areas
The Result • Ocean literacy was defined • Essential principles were identified & supported by detailed fundamental concepts • These principles & concepts were aligned to the National Science Education Standards An archive of this conference can be seen at www.oceanliteracy.net
The Definition Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean. An ocean-literate person: • Understands the Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts; • Can communicate about the ocean in a meaningful way; and • Is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources.
“Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean.” Seven Essential Principles: 1. Earth has one big ocean with many features. 2. The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth. 3. The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate. 4. The ocean makes Earth habitable. 5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems. 6. The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected. 7. The ocean is largely unexplored.
Activities & Impact To Date • Presentations at MTS, NSTA, in regional workshops, NSTA “blue planet” issue • Conference on Ocean Literacy in DC; International Pacific Marine Educators Conference in Fiji • Workshops on translating EPs for public audiences visiting aquaria, zoos and museums • Influencing text book: “Life on an Ocean Planet” • Influencing state frameworks (MD, SC) Note your accomplishments on the blog at www.oceanliteracy.net
Future Steps for Ocean Literacy • Translate into stories and messages for use in free-choice learning • Incorporate into national and state standards, assessments, and curricula. • Create tools for educators for easy insertion in the classroom (e.g. scope and sequence) www.oceanliteracy.net
Feedback • How will you use the EP, FC and Scope & Sequence? • What Scope & Sequence format would be the most useful? • What else would help you infuse ocean concepts into your efforts? • Can ASTA utilize EP and FC as a standardized way to address Ocean Literacy? -- www.coexploration.org/oceanliteracy or www.oceanliteracy.net
NOAA Place-based Programs: Potential ASTA Partners 13 National Marine Sanctuaries and 1 Marine National Monument 27 National Estuarine Research Reserves
NOAA Place-based Programs: Potential ASTA Partners • NOAA Programs in specific coastal locations (i.e., Sanctuaries, Estuarine Reserves, etc.) • Local NOAA educators with access to NOAA and community resources • Some already work with ASTA members (e.g., shipboard education programs in Thunder Bay NMS and Olympic Coast NMS, etc.)
ASTA/ONMS Partnership:A model for Collaboration • Sanctuaries Sail Leadership Challenge, repeat and possibly expand Agency-wide • Several sanctuaries have on-going shipboard education programs (e.g., Thunder Bay NMS, Olympic Coast NMS, etc.) • Plan for a system-wide, Sanctuaries Shipboard Education Program under development • Consideration for ONMS tall ship (120’ – 150’ schooner sail trainer) • NOAA tall ship?
NOAA/ASTA: Next Steps • Consider NOAA funding opportunities to further ASTA’s mission • Consider adopting Ocean Literacy effort for dissemination/use in ASTA education activities • Expand on already successful partnership with Office of National Marine Sanctuaries • Establish new partnerships. Potential partners may include • National Estuarine Research Reserve System • Office of Ocean Exploration
What is an Informed Society? NOAA’s Vision:An informed society that uses a comprehensive understanding of the role of the oceans, coasts, and atmosphere in the global ecosystem to make the best social and economic decisions. A society that: • Understands Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts; • Can communicate about the ocean, atmosphere, and the global ecosystem in a meaningful way; and • Is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding our planet and its resources. ASTA can help us get there!