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Are you or your colleagues interested in gaining first-hand research experience on a government ocean research vessel?

If so, we encourage you to explore the opportunities offered by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Teacher at Sea program, now accepting applications until January 31, 2007. The mission of NOAA's Teacher at Sea program is to give teachers a clearer insight into our ocean planet and a greater understanding of maritime work and studies, and to foster an interdisciplinary educational experience that provides a unique environment for learning and teaching.

Since 1990, NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program has enabled more than 460 teachers to gain first-hand experience of science and life at sea. Teachers have enriched 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. No matter which type of cruise you embark on, you are bound to learn an array of new things!

Who May Apply
NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program accepts applications from currently employed K-16 teachers, both American and International. We regret that we cannot accept applications from student or pre-service teachers.

Types of Cruises
Teachers may select a cruise aboard one of NOAA's 18 ships, of which there are three main types. Fisheries research vessels perform biological and physical science studies in support of fisheries research. Oceanographic and coastal research vessels perform physical science studies in support of physical oceanography, atmospheric studies, and bathymetric mapping. And hydrographic survey vessels scan the coastal sea floor with side-scan sonar and sophisticated bottom sounding systems to locate submerged obstructions and navigational hazards for the creation or update of the nation's nautical charts.

Time Commitment
Teachers can expect to be at sea anywhere from one week to a month. Most teachers take advantage of cruises offered during the summer, but cruises take place throughout year.

Costs
All necessary travel costs are paid for by the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program. While airfare is paid for upfront by the government, all other necessary travel costs are reimbursed.

For more information please visit our Web site at http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov.

Learn more about this recent study on how teachers perceive using real-time environmental data in the classroom. Also, learn about ocean observatories, available real-time ocean data resources, and how you can participate in the discussion. Information is available at http://marine.rutgers.edu/outreach/rtd/.

COSEE - Mid-Atlantic has a goal of developing national products that speak to issues of diversity and reach undersrepresented groups. Read the final report from the Minority Advisory Committee coordinated by Erica Holloman.

Live Webcast
September 27th - 1030-1130 and 1345-1430 EDT

On September 27th the NOAA Undersea Research Center at the University of Connecticut (NURC-UConn) will present two live, interactive Webcasts exploring the seafloor of Long Island Sound to survey the invasion of the sea squirt Didemnum. We will return to resurvey the areas that were mapped in May, 2006 to gauge the level of invasion that has occurred in LIS over the past 4 months. NURC-UConn's remotely operated vehicle (ROV) will send video and audio from the seafloor via a wireless network and will feature expert commentary by Dr. Robert Whitlatch, a recognized marine ecologist and invasive species expert from the University of Connecticut's Department of Marine Sciences and Dr. Robert Reid, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service who just returned from a research cruise studying the sea squirt invasion on Georges Bank.

Real-time Learning Opportunity
There are also several links for teacher that provide the opportunity for students to compare the level of invasion by using percent cover estimates from images taken in May to those that will be broadcast live on the 27th. The Real Time Data Activity describes how this can be done in class, using images from May that are linked on the site. There are also links to how this activity maps to the Connecticut Science Education Frameworks and to the Principles and Concepts of Ocean Science Literacy.
There will be an "Ask a Question" button for you to interact directly with the scientists on board.
Learn More at http://www.nurc.uconn.edu/About/Events/event0016/

The NOAA Ocean Exploration Program has released graphic-based oceanography Learning Objects that can be viewed at http://www.learningdemo.com/noaa/. Each Learning Object includes a video demonstration and interactive activities/puzzles. The included lessons cover diverse topics ranging from plate tectonics to ocean currents to deep sea benthos. Additional information is available at http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/welcome.html.   Try them out!

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