Diana Payne Sharon Walker Jim Lubner Sea Grant Education Network Lewis-Burke Associates December 3, 2007

Sea Grant Outreach Goal The goal of Sea Grant Outreach, which includes its education, extension and communications programs, is active and effective dissemination of Sea Grant information, research and technology.

NOAA Sea Grant Network The NOAA Sea Grant Network is:  scalable  flexible  dynamic  2-way Connections are:  voluntary  based on client needs  outside the “stovepipe”  largely informal

Reflects Huge NOAA Investment and Contacts Carefully Cultivated Over Time

Very High Resolution

Reaches down to individual citizen level

Purpose Extension, Education & Communications… Organizational structure in NOAA Sea Grant ExtensionEducationCommunication Outreach— Disseminates information to the broader public thru mass means Formal & Informal— Classroom and free choice learning with the goal of enhancing ocean literacy and understanding of concepts fundamental to contributing to and interpreting the world Provides science- based information to bring about positive economic or environmental change to targeted stakeholders 380 Extension staff/specialists28 Marine Education specialists90 Communications specialists

Sea Grant Education Education at all levels is a cornerstone of Sea Grant, and includes undergraduate and graduate education, teacher education, K-12 education and curriculum development, fellowships, informal education for the general public, special training programs for industry, and much more. Sea Grant educators provide valuable leadership in marine and aquatic science education activities throughout the nation. The Purpose of the Sea Grant Education Network (SGEN) is to facilitate communication and interaction internally and externally, and improve the delivery of science education-based information, programming, and resources to constituent groups at the local, regional, and national levels in support of the Sea Grant mission.

Ocean Science Education Participants Sea Grant is already networked with most of the potential participants in ocean science education

Ocean Literacy Campaign NOAA Education Sea Grant Education National Geographic College of Exploration National COSEE Network National Marine Educators Association National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

Essential Principles of OL

A Network of Networks

Questions Sea Grant Education Network

National Sea Grant Review Panel Sea Grant Education Network (SGEN) Sharon H. Walker, Ph.D. Location: CORE – Washington D.C. February 21, 2007

SGEN Priorities and Opportunities (Marine & Aquatic Science Literacy Theme Team Brochure): Team Brochure): Professional development programs for educators; Professional development programs for educators; Curriculum development based on sound science; Curriculum development based on sound science; Collaborations with informal facilities; Collaborations with informal facilities; Research and education opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students; Research and education opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students;

SGEN Priorities and Opportunities (Marine & Aquatic Science Literacy Theme Team Brochure): Technology–based science education; Technology–based science education; Assessment and evaluation; Assessment and evaluation; Inclusion of underserved/underrepresented groups; and Inclusion of underserved/underrepresented groups; and Fostering collaborations and partnerships. Fostering collaborations and partnerships.

SGEN Challenges Challenges include NOT HAVING: Needed fiscal resources (as a minimum, each Sea Grant Program must have 1.0 FTE dedicated to formal education); Needed fiscal resources (as a minimum, each Sea Grant Program must have 1.0 FTE dedicated to formal education); An education mandate within NOAA (exceptions: Sea Grant, Sanctuaries, and Reserves); An education mandate within NOAA (exceptions: Sea Grant, Sanctuaries, and Reserves); A coordinated public awareness campaign; A coordinated public awareness campaign;

SGEN Challenges Challenges include NOT HAVING: Significant marine and aquatic sciences within the National Science Education Standards; and Significant marine and aquatic sciences within the National Science Education Standards; and Mandates in research proposals for broader societal impacts. Mandates in research proposals for broader societal impacts.

Future Priorities/Actions (with increased & sustained educational funding…) Increase coordination and promote collaboration; Increase coordination and promote collaboration; Ensure a public awareness campaign through coordinated education and outreach messages; Ensure a public awareness campaign through coordinated education and outreach messages; Ensure scientific data are translated into useable forms for teachers, students and the general public; and Ensure scientific data are translated into useable forms for teachers, students and the general public; and Assess the current and future workforce. Assess the current and future workforce.

Conclusion The SGEN is cognizant of the fact there are no singular, simplistic solution for enhancing ocean and aquatic literacy within this country. Only carefully considered multiple, proactive education and outreach strategies will lead to an enhanced awareness and understanding of the relevance of the world’s ocean and its watersheds to our everyday lives. The SGEN is cognizant of the fact there are no singular, simplistic solution for enhancing ocean and aquatic literacy within this country. Only carefully considered multiple, proactive education and outreach strategies will lead to an enhanced awareness and understanding of the relevance of the world’s ocean and its watersheds to our everyday lives.