Dauphin Island Sea Lab selected as
Alabama’s Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE)
     
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded eight grants to form seven Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) around the country to facilitate collaborations and communications between ocean science researchers and educators. The Central Gulf of Mexico Center is headquartered at the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center in Biloxi, MS; the Alabama satellite for this coalition is located at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, under the leadership of Dr. John J. Dindo.

This three-year program will begin this summer at the Sea Lab, linking twelve middle school teachers with twelve research scientists, each pair becoming a team, exploring the ways cutting-edge scientific developments can be taught most effectively in the classroom.
“Scientists dwell in a world of hypotheses, testing, results and interpretation. Teachers answer to a set of national and state standards, as well as the issues of student interest and enthusiasm. This program seeks to introduce one world to another, so that teachers can understand the scientific process and scientists can learn methods of introducing their work to a broader audience,” says Dr. Dindo.

In addition to a five-day institute at the Sea Lab, teachers will enroll in a ten-day on-line workshop; will develop a professional workshop and curriculum utilizing oceanic and coastal concepts; and will conduct a professional presentation at the state, regional or national level. Teachers will receive graduate credit for their participation.
“These teachers will also become satellites of information for their own schools and school systems,” added Dr. Dindo. “We’re hoping to extend the benefits of this program to as many educators as we can.”

This project is funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Sea Grant College Program, and the National Oceanographic Partnership Program/Office of Naval Research.

For more information on the Sea Lab’s COSEE program, contact Denise Keaton at 251/861-7515 or e-mail dkeaton@disl.org.