NOAA 98-R807

Contact:  Jeanne Kouhestani               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                          7/17/98

TEACHERS GO TO SEA WITH NOAA FOR HANDS-ON LEARNING

Teachers from schools across the nation are heading out to sea this summer to become students themselves aboard National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research vessels.

Instead of reading textbooks or listening to lectures, teachers at sea will use the tools of science to learn such things as how the seas are charted to enable safe navigation, how fish populations are assessed so appropriate conservation management plans can be put into place, and how the ocean interacts with the atmosphere to produce climatic events like El Nino and La Nina.

NOAA's Teacher at Sea program is particularly relevant this year as the agency seeks to increase public awareness of ocean issues as part of the United Nations- designated 1998-International Year of the Ocean.

"The best way to understand environmental science is to work with those who practice it every day," said Rear Admiral William L. Stubblefield, director of the Office of NOAA Corps Operations, which coordinates the Teacher at Sea program. "Teachers who have actually gained hands-on experience aboard our NOAA ships will go back into their classrooms in the fall much better equipped to get their students excited about learning through personal anecdotes, pictures, a better curriculum, and a broader perspective. It makes both teaching and learning far more rewarding, and hopefully will spark interest in students to pursue a career in science."

The enthusiasm for learning generated between teachers and students is the biggest payoff of the Teacher at Sea program, where educators from kindergarten through college go aboard NOAA hydrographic, oceanographic and fisheries research vessels to work under the tutelage of scientists and NOAA Corps commissioned officers and civilian crew. Now in its eighth year, the program enables teachers to enrich their classroom curricula with a depth of understanding made possible by living and working side-by-side, day and night, with those who contribute to the world's body of scientific knowledge.

"It's a win-win situation," Stubblefield said. "Teachers gain valuable field experience and research skills, and the ships gain eager volunteers who, through their enthusiasm for learning, boost the morale of everyone on board."

To participate in the program, teachers must be willing to submit a detailed report of the cruise and ideas for implementation in the classroom, including a mini-unit of lessons based on experiences at sea and data collected. They must also submit an article for publication or conduct a presentation at an educators' conference. Although the program itself is free of charge, teachers are responsible for paying their own transportation to the ship's departure points. Sometimes a teacher's school board or administration will pick up the costs.

Teacher at Sea is being coordinated this year by Wanda Campbell, Office of NOAA Corps Operations, at the Atlantic Marine Center in Norfolk, Va. Teachers can request applications for 1999 from her by calling: (757) 441-6800; e-mailing: Wanda.Campbell@noaa.gov; or writing: NOAA Atlantic Marine Center, 439 York St., Norfolk, VA 23510. Applications are due between Jan. 1 and March 8, 1999. Applicants are rated by a review panel on how they intend to incorporate their experiences into their classroom curricula. Successful applicants can choose from several research missions ranging from one to three weeks on the East, West or Gulf coasts, and only have to pay for their transportation to and from the ship. The program costs taxpayers nothing, but ultimately many people, including students, gain a greater awareness of the need to understand and protect the ocean and its resources.

The Office of NOAA Corps Operations is composed both of civilians and officers of the NOAA Corps, one of the nation's uniformed services. NOAA Corps officers, all scientists or engineers, operate and manage the agency's fleet of ships and aircraft. Further information on the NOAA Corps, Office of NOAA Corps Operations, and fleet can be found on the Internet at http://www.nc.noaa.gov

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NOTE TO EDITORS: A list of participating teachers and their home towns/schools is attached.


1998 Teacher at Sea Participants

California
-Bonnie B. Garcia,  Sonoma /John Reed Elementary School, Rohnert Park
      FERREL:  4/13-17
-Marilyn K. Latta,Avalon / Catalina Island Marine Institute
      RONALD H. BROWN: 7/30-8/15
Connecticut 
-Deborah G. Berger,  West Haven / Mystic Aquarium, Mystic
     DELAWARE II:  8/3-8/21
-Tammy Bergeron, Groton / Mystic Aquarium, Mystic
     DELAWARE II:  9/8-9/18
Georgia
-Mildred E. Chamblee, McDonough / G.P. Babb Middle School, Forest Park
     MILLER FREEMAN:  7/6-8/2
Illinois
-Terry S. Gillespie, Flossmoor / Rick East High School, Park Forest
     ALBATROSS IV:  9/8-9/19
-Kerri L. Still,, Batavia / Batavia Middle School
     McARTHUR:  5/26-6/1
-Jennifer L. Woodring, Woodridge / J.W. Robinson Elementary, Lyons
     ALBATROSS IV:  7/20-7/31
Kansas
-Melanie Campbell, Topeka / West Indianola Elementary
     DAVID STARR JORDAN:  7/12-7/23
-Kathryne L. Martin, Clay Center / Lincoln Elementary
     OREGON II:  6/13-6/30
Maine
-Brenda M. Pattison, Brunswick / Williams-Cone School, Topsham
      RAINIER:  5/4-5/15
Maryland
-Shauneen Giudice, Salisbury / Delmar Junior-Senior High, Delmar
      OREGON II:  7/1-7/17
-Deanna R. Hearle, Ellicott City / Parkdale High School, Riverdale
      ALBATROSS IV:  8/3-8/18
Massachusetts
-Wendell J. Cerne, Duxbury / Silver Lake Regional High, Kingston
      RAINIER:  8/3-8/14
-Peter Leddy, North Attleboro / Norton High School, Norton
      WHITING:  8/3-8/21
Mississippi
-John Duff, University / University of Mississippi
       RONALD H. BROWN:  7/30-8/15

Missouri
-Sandra Sonnenburg, Marionville / Glendale High School, Springfield
        WHITING:  6/15-6/27
-Rita K. Truelove, Springfield / Cherokee Middle School
        OREGON II:  6/11-6/15
Montana
-Richard M. Jones, Billings / Billings Senior High School
        KA'IMIMOANA:  6/2-8/3
Nebraska
-Catherine K. Jones, Cambridge / McCook Public Schools, McCook
        TOWNSEND CROMWELL:  6/11-7/10
New Jersey
-Mary Schwartzstein, Somerville / Whiton Elementary, Neshanic Station
        WHITING:  7/20-7/31
New York
-Walter Y. Root, Washingtonville / Felix V. Festa Middle, W. Nyack
        RAINIER:  8/30-9/11
Ohio
-Bruce A. Garrett,  Amanda / Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools, Stoutsville
        RONALD H. BROWN:  6/28-7/7
-Karen M. Schonauer, Minerva / West Elementary, East Rochester
       ALBATROSS IV:  9/8-9/19
Oregon
-Carrie L. Newell, Eugene / Lane Community College
        McARTHUR:  7/10-7/23  
Pennsylvania
-Jane H. Evans, Olyphant / Mid Valley Secondary Center, Throop
        WHITING:  8/3-8/21
-Carl F. Katsu, Biglerville / Fairfield Area School District, Fairfield
        RONALD H. BROWN:  8/18-8/24
-Terry K. Lawhead, Enola / East Pennsboro High School
        WHITING:  6/15-6/27
-Stephanie Snyder, Muncy / Gov. Thomas Johnson High, Frederick
        ALBATROSS IV:  7/20-7/31
-Amy Taylor, Reading / Tyson-Schoener Elementary
        ALBATROSS IV:  8/3-8/18
Virginia
-Jennifer E. Dianto, Alexandria / American Oceans Campaign, Wash.,D.C.
        McARTHUR:  5/9-5/18
Washington (state)
-Lisa A. Bertram, Kirkland / Snohomish High School, Snohomish
        MILLER FREEMAN:  8/4-8/27
Wisconsin
-Douglas J. Glasenapp,  Milwaukee / Rufus King College Prep High School
       WHITING: 7/20-7/31
Korea (Dept. of Defense)
-Richard M. Schlenker, Seoul American High School
        ALBATROSS IV:  6/15-6/27