I have had some wonderful opportunities for travel since fall 2009, both for personal and professional development.  I’ve attended (and participated in) beachcombing events on the East Coast and West Coast.  I’ve enjoyed hunting for beach glass on the shores of Lake Erie and searching for sea-beans along the Florida’s Space Coast.

Later this summer I will be traveling with 17 educators on a bus from North Carolina through Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, then back to Washington, D.C., learning about how climate change affects marine mammals.  In addition, I will be learning about severe weather at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Okla. and exploring freshwater wonders at the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) annual conference in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

And don’t forget about the 15^th annual International Sea-Bean Symposium in Cocoa Beach, Fla. in October.  I’m planning to be there — anyone care to join me for some extraordinary sea-bean hunting and relaxing beachcombing in Florida?  Check out the details at www.seabean.com.

FYI — North Carolina’s Project Learning Tree’s Web site has a new look — check it out:  www.ces.ncsu.edu/plt.  You can check out dates and information for upcoming workshop at www.ces.ncsu.edu/plt/calendar.

I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, recuperative summer if you’re getting a summer break.  And here’s wishing all the informal educators a successful summer season of camps and public programs!  Keep reading for some unique opportunities and ideas for educators.  There is a lot going on in North Carolina!

Shark Exhibit Opens May 29th at NC Aquarium
www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island

This summer treat your entire family to a new experience at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.  “Sharks” will be the theme for this summer, showcasing these predators in the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit, and a new exhibit that will transform the Nor’easter exhibit into an exciting display of smaller sharks surrounded by fishes from the “Waters of the Outer Banks.”

Let Dr. Finnegan be your guide through the Aquarium and learn how these ancient fish became successful survivors.  Learn why scientists are so concerned about the future of sharks in our oceans.

Marty Snyderman will present his photography and videos with a focus on sharks, their behavior, human interactions, and conservation on June 8, 9 and 10.  Marty specializes in marine environments. He uses still photography to capture photos that have been seen in numerous publications, including National Geographic, Skin Diver, Natural History, Sport Diver, Time and Newsweek.  An Emmy Award-winning cinematographer, his film The Secret World of Sharks and Rays premiered on the PBS series Nature.  Marty produced and filmed To Be With Sharks (View from the Cage), featured on the Discovery Channel during Shark Week.

George Powell is a self-educated paleontologist who has an extensive private fossil collection.  Many visitors to the Aquarium will remember George from his visit during Shark Week 2009.  He has lectured with scientists, presented at universities, and currently gives tours with PCS Phosphates in Aurora.  His programs will take place on the following dates:  June 22, 23 and 24; July 13, 14 and 15; and August 10, 11 and 12.

Frank Hudgins, director of operations and husbandry, expects the new exhibit to be ready just in time for summer and all of the visitors that will come to the Aquarium.  “We plan to bring in different species of sharks; you will see familiar favorites, exciting new editions, and some sharky freshwater ‘cousins,’ ” he says.  “It will create some real excitement for our visitors this summer.”

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is pleased to announce their inaugural “Surf It, Save It: Aquarium Surf Festival.”  The event is Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day at the Aquarium.

The weekend is designed to encourage environmental stewardship through surfing, as well as to educate visitors about the sport’s culture and lifestyle.  Festival activities include surfing films; an exhibit on the history of surfing, including vintage boards; hula and ukulele demonstrations; a surf simulator; rehabilitated shore birds and turtles; sea oats planting; and clean-ups of Masonboro and Zeke’s islands.  Ocean Cure/Surfer’s Healing mini-camps for autistic children and a search-and-air rescue demonstration by the U.S. Coast Guard, featuring a H60 helicopter and C-130, will be staged on the nearby beach.

Celebrities will also be on hand.  Shaun Tomson, former world-champion surfer from South Africa, will host a private showing of his mid-70s surfing feature film, Bustin’ Down The Door, and will sign copies of his book, Surfer’s Code —12 Simple Lessons for Riding Through Life, available in the Aquarium Gift Shop.  Big wave surfer Garrett McNamara will also make an appearance.  Skipper Funderburg, local author of Surfing on the Cape Fear Coast, will sign copies of his book, and board shapers Sean O’Donnell and Will Allison will discuss the evolution of surfboard design.

Surf and ocean art by photographer DJ Struntz will also be on exhibit, and large, outdoor installations by Sean Ruttkay will be featured in the Aquarium garden.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.  For more information, please contact Amy Kilgore at (910) 458-8257, ext: 211 or Emily Jones at (910) 458-8257 ext. 242.

NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores

Take your vacation to new heights this summer and see pelicans, hawks, owls and other native North Carolina birds soar overhead in Big Rock Theater at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.  This new program, “Winging It:  Birds in Flight,” offers a rare chance to see birds on the wing at close range as they respond to cues from an Aquarium “flight crew.”  The raptors and waterbirds deliver important conservation messages along with family-friendly entertainment.

Tickets are $4 per person in addition to Aquarium admission.  Seating is limited.  Tickets are sold at the admissions window the day of the show only.  Sorry, there are no advance sales or reservations, and memberships and discounts do not apply.  “Winging It:  Birds in Flight” is offered daily at 11:30 a.m.

Cousteau Summer Workshop
www.oceanfutures.org

Join Ambassadors of the Environment this summer for a 5-day/4-night teacher workshop offering cross-curricular training on marine, terrestrial, creek and watershed ecosystems, with an emphasis on ecological roles and connections between species.  Participants will receive hands-on K-12 curriculum in sustainable living, renewable energy, our ecological footprint, marine management, recycling, composting, and more.  Led by Dr. Richard Murphy, senior Cousteau educator and marine biologist, the program focuses on curriculum models of Inquiry-Based Learning and teaching practices.  Each day local experts will join us to enrich our learning, and participants will benefit from slices of free time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Gaviota Coast north of Santa Barbara.

Program includes:  Full lodging in comfortable cabins at El Capitan Canyon (http://www.elcapitancanyon.com) with easy access to hiking trails, beaches, and creek; meals with locally harvested organic fruits and vegetables; vegetarian, and vegan options; and Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment staff, activities and curriculum materials.

Lead Instructors: Dr. Richard Murphy (Director of Science and Research with Jean-Michel Cousteau), Elaine Heath, M.A. in Gifted Education with Mesa State College, Marti McNamee, M.A. in Education and teacher for the Gifted and Talented, and Laura Brands, B.A. Environmental Studies (Ambassadors of the Environment Program Associate with Jean-Michel Cousteau).

Cost: $850.00; Deposit: $425 (50% deposit due immediately; full balance due June 1st, 2010).  Three hours of Graduate Credit from Mesa State College available for only $160.00

For more information please contact:  Elaine Heath, Gifted Education Mesa State College, (970) 261-6422, laneyh@mesa.k12.co.us or Laura Brands, Ocean Futures Society, (805) 899-8899 ext. 104, lbrands@oceanfutures.org

What’s New at the NC Maritime Museum?
www.ncmaritimemuseum.org

A new exhibit, “Science by the Sea,” highlights the achievements of our local marine science research community. Visitors will discover the fields of oceanography, marine mammal biology, marine fisheries, and ecology, and get to know the individuals that made the labs successful. The exhibit features local landmarks dedicated to marine research and a glimpse into a working laboratory (now through Nov. 14).

The Maritime Day picnic at Gallants Channel features activities, tours, boat rides & lunch. This event is free to the public and sponsored by the Friends of the Museum (Monday, May 31, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.).

The Junior Sailing Program uses the fun of sailing to teach seamanship, navigation, boating safety and sailing techniques for beginning to advanced sailors. Classes include two-week sessions, one-week sessions, and Regatta week. Contact the museum for brochure and application (June – August).

Summer Science School for Children investigates the coastal environment and North Carolina maritime history. Class topics include pirates, boat models, seashore life, nature photography, fishing and nautical archaeology. Contact the museum for brochure and application (June – August).

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources launches this new program series at more than 30 historic sites and museums across the state. The statewide events highlight North Carolina History, Heritage, Arts & Fun — so join us at our Museum for all three events:  June 12 is Maritime History Day; July 10 is Science by the Sea Day; and Aug. 14 is Pirates of North Carolina Day.

Find out about all of the educational programs happening at the Maritime Museum by going online to www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

Online Professional Development from NOAA’s Ocean Exploration and Research
oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/development/online_development.html

Online professional development offered by NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research provides educators with more in-depth studies into specific ocean science content through the context of ocean exploration.  In partnership with The College of Exploration, an online campus setting provides a venue for educators worldwide to meet, view keynote addresses given by ocean explorers and ask questions of keynote speakers online.

Hands-on and inquiry-based activities, along with other resources, are provided in a facilitated environment.  These courses enable educators to take rich content into a variety of teaching environments in an effort to enhance ocean science literacy and further promote Ocean Literacy Essential Principal #7 — “The ocean is largely unexplored.”

These courses are free for all participants and will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Educators will have the option to receive one graduate credit ($90) or obtain a certificate of completion for each course completed.

Why Do We Explore? Okeanos Explorer Online Teacher Professional Development Series, Offering #2

Date: June 21 – July 2, 2010

This two-week online professional development offering will include a keynote address by ocean explorers who have made significant ocean discoveries, inquiry-based lessons for all grade-levels, and facilitated online reflective conversations about the importance of ocean exploration on a global scale.  Areas of focus include climate change, energy, human health and ocean health.

Scientific presenters will include:  Dr. Charles Fisher, Professor of Biology, Eberly College of Science at The Pennsylvania State University; Dr. Shirley A. Pomponi, Executive Director, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution at Florida Atlantic University; and Dr. Edith Widder, Cofounder and President, Ocean Research and Conservation Association (ORCA)

To register, please visit coexploration.org/oe/

How Do We Explore? Okeanos Explorer Online Teacher Professional Development Series, Offering #3

Date: October 11 – 29, 2010

This three-week online professional development offering will include a keynote address by Captain Joseph Pica, Commanding Officer aboard the Okeanos Explorer, and topic introductions by key scientists working in specific areas of ocean exploration.  Topics will include searching for anomalies, selecting sites for exploration, communication tools including telepresence technology, mapping techniques, water column study and operating remotely operated vehicles.  This course will include hands-on and inquiry-based lessons for all grade-levels, and facilitated online reflective conversations about how we approach the study of our largely unexplored ocean.

Scientific presenters will include:  CDR Joseph Pica, Commanding Officer, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer; Webb Pinner, Systems Engineer, Okeanos Explorer Program; Elizabeth Lobecker, Physical Scientist, NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program; Dave Lavolvo, Founder/owner, Eastern Oceanics, Adjunct Professor, Institute for Exploration, ROV Team Lead, NOAA Okeanos Explorer.

A link to registration information will be posted on the NOAA OE website at oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/development/online_development.html in July 2010.

Teaching about the Marine Environment
www.uncw.edu

Can’t get to the shore to teach about the marine environment?  This course developed and taught by Dr. Rosanne Fortner, former President of the National Marine Educators Association and Director of COSEE Great Lakes, offers classroom-based methods for ocean education.  Explore online sources and exemplary print materials for grades 5 to 12, many adaptable for informal learning.  Match the lessons to your curriculum and adapt to your setting with expert assistance.  This course is completely online and asynchronous.

For each topic in the course, background readings will be provided, and the ocean literacy principles and scope/sequence will be discussed.  Participating teachers will match the activities for the topics to the North Carolina standards in science at their grade level.  Activities will be tried with a group of learners and responses discussed online.

Discussion will include advantages and disadvantages of the methodology for different instructional settings.  Guidelines for curriculum development will be built as different lessons are evaluated, and the culminating project will be an electronic portfolio of materials adapted for the individual’s classroom or informal setting.

Text materials are primarily online from Sea Grant, COSEE, NOAA, and other providers, but participants will be required to purchase a copy of the Fall 2009 issue of Science Activities journal and ES-EAGLS Life in the Great Lakes (innovative methods for coastal/aquatic education).

Course is listed as EVS 485/592 (Special Topics in Environmental Science) and offers three (3) credit hours at the undergraduate or graduate level.  Contact Dr. Rosanne Fortner for additional information at fortnerr@uncw.edu.

Summer Programs for the Public

• The North Carolina Estuarium offers a variety of public programs, art shows, and special events each season.  Go online to find out about summer programs and art exhibits:  www.partnershipforthesound.org.  The Estuarium is located at 223 E. Water Street, Washington, N.C., and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and open Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. from June 13 to Aug. 29.  Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students.   Please call ahead for program information as space may be limited. The Estuarium is a Partnership for the Sounds facility, an organization promoting eco-tourism and sustainable economic development in the Albemarle-Pamlico region. For more information, check out www.partnershipforthesounds.org. Contact estuarium@embarqmail.com or 252-948-0000.

• On weekdays during June, July and August, Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station offers a regular schedule of public programs, which are free with the site admission fee.  All programs begin at 2 p.m. and are weather-dependent.
  Mondays:  Discover what went on behind-the-scenes during the filming of Nights in Rodanthe.
  Tuesdays:  Explore the forgotten yet fascinating history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, predecessors of today’s U.S. Coast Guard.
  Wednesdays:  Meet the real Taffy of Torpedo Junction.  Hatteras Island native Carol Dillon entertains visitors with her stories of growing up during World War II.
  Thursdays (my personal favorite):  Watch local U.S. Coast Guardsmen reenact the historic breeches buoy rescue performed by the U.S. Life-Saving Service many years ago.
  Fridays:  Learn more about a local history mystery – what really happened to the “Lost Colony.”  Chicamacomico is located at milepost 39.5 in the village of Rodanthe on Hatteras Island.  For details and directions, visit their web site at www.chicamacomico.net.

• Don’t forget to check out your local National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for amazing public programs — a lot of the offerings are free of charge.  Alligator River NWR is offering public programs all summer long, including red wolf howlings, canoe tours and free interpretive tours on their new tram.  Pea Island NWR offers bird walks, turtle talks and canoe trips.  A visit to www.fws.gov/alligatorriver/spec.html#schedule will give you a detailed schedule of programs for both Alligator River and Pea Island.  And check out the story on the Red Wolf Recovery Program in the upcoming Summer 2010 issue of Coastwatch magazine.

• Your local National Park  Service locations offer a variety of public programming during the summer months.  Check out these Web sites to find out what’s happening in a coastal area near you!

• Wright Brothers National Monument:  www.nps.gov/wrbr/planyourvisit/events.htm
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore:  www.nps.gov/capa/planyourvisit/events.htm
• Cape Lookout National Seashore:  www.mps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htm

New Edition of Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast

For those of you who have used the first edition of Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast:  Common Birds, Crabs, Shells, Fish, and other Entities of the Coastal Environment by Peter Meyer since it was first published in 1991, get ready to purchase a new one!  Meyer, a board-certified emergency physician in Wilmington, has just updated and expanded the reference with more species, more photos and more information.

From a recent press release:  “Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast remains a practical, entertaining, reader-friendly guide to the common animals, plants, and environment of the Carolina coast.  The contents are scientifically accurate, yet written in language the interested public can understand.”

“Nature Guide is an excellent resource for coastal residents and visitors along the North Carolina/South Carolina coast.  The book is entertaining and educational, a beachcomber’s handbook, valuable to any seaside explore.”

Every book ordered directly from the author is shipped free of charge — whether you order one, two, or more!  FYI —Meyer told me that he will give an additional 10 percent discount to anyone who asks for an educator/teacher discount, so mention that you read about it in the Scotch Bonnet and save a buck or two!

Books are $17.95 each; add applicable N.C. sales tax; make checks payable to Avian-Cetacean Press; and mail your order to Avian-Cetacean Press, PO Box 15643, Wilmington, NC 28408.

NC Science Festival
www.ncsciencefestival.org

The North Carolina Science Festival this fall has a special twist:
Rather than a single location on a single day or weekend, events will
take place around the state from Sept. 11 to 26.

“The Festival will highlight the educational, cultural and financial
impact of science in our state. Through hands-on activities, science
talks, lab tours, nature experiences, exhibits and performances, the
Festival will engage a wide range of public audiences while inspiring
the next generation of scientists,” organizers explain.

Check back this summer at the website above to find an activity in your
area. Or find some partners and add an activity of your own.

The N.C. festival will help you lead up to the U.S. Science and
Engineering Festival in October that will include an event at the
National Mall in Washington, D.C. That agenda is at:
http://www.usasciencefestival.org.

Curriculum/Activity Guides Still Available

COSEE SouthEast’s The Educator’s Guide to Marine Debris:  Southeast and Gulf of Mexico is a regional introduction to three main categories of marine debris: litter; derelict or abandoned boats; and lost or abandoned commercial and recreational fishing gear.  This publication is available for free download on the COSEE SouthEast Web site www.cosee-se.org/marinedebris.php and is also available in hard copy, while supplies last.

North Carolina Big Sweep’s publication Undercurrents:  A Big Sweep Middle School Teacher’s Guide includes litter awareness lessons that are correlated with state learning objectives for 8^th grade science and math, as well as for healthful living, language arts, and information skills.  Undercurrents is available free to North Carolina educators while supplies last.

The Coastal Processes and Conflicts curriculum includes extensive background information for teachers, as well as student lessons that are relevant in any setting — not just the island environment.  It is appropriate for middle and high school students.  The curriculum can be downloaded for free from www.ecu.edu/educ/csmte/coastal_processes.cfm.  Or you can order a hard copy ($10 includes postage), which comes with a CD containing color copies of figures used in the student activities.

Each of these education resources is available from Terri Kirby Hathaway, NC Sea Grant, mailto:terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu.

Need to contact me?

If you ever have information to share with other marine educators, please don’t hesitate to send it my way for inclusion in a future issue of the Scotch Bonnet.  Let me know what you’re hearing from the sea!

Please share this web site with others — and share my email address with anyone who wants to receive a message when each Scotch Bonnet is available online!  Thanks for all you do for students and for other educators!

My contact information is:   North Carolina Sea Grant, PO Box 699, Manteo, NC 27954; phone: 252/475-3663; fax: 252/475-3545; email: terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu.

Best Fishes!

Terri Kirby Hathaway
Marine Education Specialist
North Carolina Sea Grant
terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu

Welcome to the Winter 2010 online issue of Scotch Bonnet. And the newsletter is also available as a portable document file (.pdf) a portable document file (.pdf) – if you’re like me and want to keep a hard copy!

This issue features some of my musings about the world’s oceans, as well as opportunities and ideas for educators this winter (below). There is a lot going on in North Carolina!

How Many Oceans?

- An Essay by Terri Kirby Hathaway

What’s the answer to that question? One? Five? Seven? How many oceans are there on the planet? I guess it depends on whom you ask. Most people give the answer as four or five or seven. But others give my favorite answer: one world ocean with five major geographical subdivisions.

Looking at a globe or a flat world map, you can see that the ocean is one interconnected body of water that covers roughly 71 percent of the Earth’s surface. The ocean is separated into ocean basins by the continents. Where no land is found, we use arbitrary lines to delineate the major geographic sections.

The specific names of the ocean basins come in handy when talking about shipping or sailing. Saying that a cruise ship is on the ocean is very broad, but saying that the ship is cruising in the South Pacific is more descriptive and gives a better picture of where the ship is sailing.

In an informal survey of 131 marine educators from the mid-Atlantic states, there was no clear majority. Forty-seven said that there is one ocean and 46 said there were five. Nineteen respondents said there were seven oceans, and 15 answered four oceans. What a conundrum. There is definitely confusion about the number of oceans on our planet!

In North Carolina, the hydrosphere is a main topic in eighth-grade science. The eighth-grade science textbook, published in 2005, states that “the global ocean is divided by the continents into four major oceans.” It mentions the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian, and the Arctic as the four major divisions, as does the 2005 edition of Marine Biology by Castro and Huber.

A few years ago, the National Geographic Society, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE), the College of Exploration, and the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) developed and adopted standards for ocean literacy. The first fundamental concept says, “There is one ocean with many ocean basins . . . .”

Grant Gross, in his seventh edition of Principles of Oceanography, says that there are four major ocean basins. His list includes the Atlantic, the Indian, the Pacific, and the Southern. In 1995, Gross considered the Arctic as an extension of the Atlantic Ocean.

For many years, oceanographers contended that there were four major ocean basins: Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific. In spring of 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) decided to delineate a fifth ocean basin, taking parts of the Atlantic, the Indian, and the Pacific Oceans to create the Southern Ocean from 60^o south latitude all around the continent of Antarctica.

So who (or what) is the IHO? The International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB) was officially created in 1921 after sporadic meetings in Washington, DC, St. Petersburg (USSR), and London (England). In 1970, the IHB became an international organization headquartered in Monaco, with a current membership of 80 countries.

The IHO’s priorities include standardizing nautical charts, maintaining reliable and efficient methods of conducting hydrographic and oceanographic surveys, and keeping the science of hydrography current.

During my informal survey, someone asked about the difference between “ocean” and “sea” – I must admit that I wasn’t certain of the answer, so I had to do a little research.

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines the two terms this way:

Ocean – 1: the whole body of salt water that covers nearly three fourths of the surface of the earth; 2: any of the large bodies of water (as the Atlantic Ocean) into which the great ocean is divided.

Sea – 1 a: a great body of salt water that covers much of the earth, broadly: the waters of the earth as distinguished from the land and air; b: a body of salt water of second rank more or less landlocked <the Mediterranean sea>; c: ocean; d: an inland body of water – used especially for names of such bodies <the Caspian Sea>.

According to The Handy Ocean Answer Book (Svarney and Barnes-Svarney, 2000):

Oceans are described as continuous bodies of saltwater surrounding the continents. . . . Each of the individual oceans contains shallower areas that differ physically, chemically, or biologically from one another; these are called seas. Geographers define a sea as a division of the ocean that is enclosed or partially enclosed by land.

In addition, The Handy Ocean Answer Book mentions additional saltwater bodies that are called seas. But, the Caspian Sea, the Dead Sea, and the Aral Sea are all landlocked lakes, isolated from the ocean.

Look up the “seven seas” and you will find even more ambiguity and confusion.

The seven seas of medieval times include the Mediterranean Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Adriatic Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Black Sea, and Arabian Sea (part of the Indian Ocean). These were the known bodies of water that surrounded the ancient world of Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East.

After the discovery of North America, sailors used the term “seven seas” to include the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Indian, and the Arctic oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

In the late nineteenth century, British writer Rudyard Kipling came up with the modern idea of “seven seas” that is comprised of all the major navigable waters: the North and South Atlantic, the North and South Pacific, the Indian, the Arctic, and the Antarctic (Southern) oceans.

The World Factbook, located on the Central Intelligence Agency’s Web site, offers a wealth of information about the five recognized ocean basins. Visit that web site to learn more.

As far as I can tell, there may not be ONE correct answer to the question, “How many oceans are there on planet Earth?” Each person’s answer depends on when they learned about the ocean. Although I can’t be certain, I’m pretty sure that I was taught there were four oceans.

I do know that no matter how many ocean basins, all of them are interconnected.

And, no matter when I’m asked, I will always say that Pluto is a planet!

For more views of the world’s oceans from outer space, visit the NASA channel on YouTube.

Winter Ideas and Opportunities For Educators

COSEE SouthEast Summer Institute (New Entry! Updated 2/16)
www.cosee-se.org/teacher/

The 2010 Ocean Sciences Education Leadership Institute is set for June 23 – July 1.  The Institute will begin on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh and will end at the Trinity Center near Atlantic Beach.

COSEE SouthEast is teaming up with regional marine and climate scientists to offer a weeklong investigation into the connections between climate change and our world’s oceans- specifically, those issues pertaining to the southeast region!  Explore the interconnections between global climate change and sea level rise, sea surface temperature, and ocean chemistry.

Activities and resources provided will be aligned to state standards and will specifically address STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines.  Any formal or informal educator in NC, SC or GA is invited to apply. All lodging, transportation during the workshop, materials and some meals will be provided by COSEE SouthEast.

Application deadline is March 31, 2010 and application materials can be found on the COSEE SouthEast web site:  www.cosee-se.org/teacher/

New Disney Film “Oceans” Opens 4/22/10 (New Entry! Updated 2/16)
www.disney.com/oceans

Coming soon to a theater near you — DisneyNature’s newest film opens on Earth Day, April 22, 2010 in theaters nationwide.  If you think you know the oceans, you haven’t scratched the surface yet!  Don’t miss this opportunity to see never-before-seen film footage of the mysteries of the deep.

During the first week, April 22-28, Disney will donate $0.20 for each ticket purchased to the Nature Conservancy’s “Adopt A Reef” program in the Bahamas.  A minimum donation of $100,000 has been committed by Disney.  Do your part and see “Oceans” during its first week in theaters.

Visit the web site to find an activity guide and a teacher’s guide available for free download.

Ocean Awareness Days with COSEE – SouthEast
www.cosee-se.org/

Climate Change in the Cape Fear River Basin
Where: N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, NC
When: Friday, Jan. 29;,8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 30, 4 p.m. Rescheduled for Saturday, April 24; 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $20 refundable deposit

Get ready for a hands-on workshop for middle and high school science teachers at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher on April 24! Join science teachers Bill Martin and Diane Vasey, researchers, and other education professionals to discuss climate change impacts in the Cape Fear Region. Animals affected by climate change illustrate impacts from headwaters of the Deep and Haw Rivers to the mid-Atlantic Ocean. Discover how birds, amphibians, and marine mammals respond to changing resources. Learn how to share their stories with your students through activities aligned with N.C. science standards.

Food, lodging, and workshop materials are provided. A $20 refundable deposit is required to register. To register by email, contact ncaff.registrar@ncaquariums.com or call 910/458-7468.

Our Warming Waters: An Oceans and Climate Change Workshop
Where: N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC
When: Saturday, Feb. 20, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: $15 (includes lunch and snacks provided by Acro Café and materials)

Come join our exploration of the world’s oceans and how they are being impacted by climate change. Participants will view demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities and labs that can be used in the classroom.

Participants will watch “Beneath the Blue,” a stunning high-definition production that will take them to the center of an ecosystem that exists thousands of feet below the surface of the Gulf Stream. Participants will have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with an oceanographer. Participants will receive numerous educational materials, posters and other resources. Funding for this workshop is provided by the SouthEast Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence and North Carolina Sea Grant.

For more information or to register, contact M.T. Fore at 919/733-7350 x621 or mary.tyler.fore@ncdenr.gov .

Marine Mammals and Climate Change
www.ncaquariums.com/

Calling all informal educators! Are you interested in marine mammals? Are you interested in climate change? Are you willing to spend nine days traveling the east coast, visiting aquariums and learning about how climate change will affect marine mammals? Can you follow up with a special event at your location? Would you like to do this free of charge?

Thanks to a grant from NOAA, the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher and the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences have teamed up to offer a unique learning adventure just for informal educators. During this 10-day mobile Marine Mammal Institute (MMI) you will acquire knowledge, support, and methodology for communicating the effects of climate change on marine mammals. After the Institute, you will be expected to host a Marine Mammal event featuring an immersive theater – the GeoDome – at your informal science center.

Through a series of seminars, activities, and field experiences with partners – including Duke University’s Marine Lab, the Virginia Aquarium, National Aquarium in Baltimore, Mystic Aquarium and New England Aquarium – MMI participants gain an understanding of ocean issues, how they impact marine mammals, humans’ relationship to marine mammals and their responsibility to ensure the continued survival of this compelling group of animals.

During unstructured planning time, participants develop interpretive activities and exhibits for public audiences. Activities will be used independently and as a complement to a portable GeoDome presentation. For more information about the unique GeoDome experience, please visit http://geodome.info/. For ideas of how the GeoDome can be used for different types of programs, visit http://blog.elumenati.com/category/GeoDome/.
Applications are due by Jan. 15! For more information and to request a copy of the application, contact Peggy Sloan at peggy.sloan@ncaquariums.com or Liz Baird at liz.baird@ncdenr.gov or visit sites online: www.naturalsciences.org or www.ncaquariums.com.

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education (OBCWE)
www.ncwildlife.org/Education_Workshops/Outer_Banks_Center.htm

The OBCWE is offering some wonderful educational programs and field trips this winter. All programs are FREE, but registration is required. Registration is open 30 days prior to date of program.

January programs:
1/22 Identifying Frog Calls: CASP Workshop at Currituck Library
1/27 Exploring North Carolina: Museum of the Albemarle
1/30 Waste to Wonderful: The Magic of Composting

February programs:
2/2 Identifying Frog Calls: CASP Workshop in Corolla
2/6 Roll Out the Rain Barrels
2/9 Currituck Heritage Park Lecture Series: Getting Here
2/10 Exploring North Carolina: Elizabethan Gardens
2/12 Great Backyard Bird Count: Corolla
2/13 Great Backyard Bird Count: Kitty Hawk Woods
2/14 Great Backyard Bird Count: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
2/15 Great Backyard Bird Count: Nags Head Woods
2/24 Exploring North Carolina: Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

Program times and details are available online at https://ncpaws.org/reservations/corolla/CalendarView.aspx.

Howling at the Wolves
www.fws.gov/redwolf

Enjoy the wild wonder of hearing red wolves howl on the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Wolf howlings are offered during the summer season and around the “howl-o-days.” Check out the schedule for 2010 on the Red Wolf Recovery Program Web site www.fws.gov/redwolf or on the Red Wolf Coalition’s Web site www.redwolves.com.

Red wolf howlings begin at Creef Cut Wildlife Trail, which is located on mainland Dare County, in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Programs last about two hours. Participants are asked to bring a flashlight and insect repellent, to dress appropriately for the weather, and to leave pets at home! Registration fee is $5 per participant.

To register for any of the 2010 howlings, visit the Red Wolf Coalition’s Web site or call 252-796-5600.

Click here to see more images of red wolves, and hear audio clips of red wolves howling!

What’s New at the NC Maritime Museum
www.ncmaritimemuseum.org

Here are some winter programs at the N.C. Maritime Museum – more can be found on their Web site.

Jan. 26, 2 p.m.
Today’s modern English language is steeped in the history and culture of past generations. Among the most significant influences on our language has been that of ancient mariners, whose nautical expressions have found their way into our everyday conversations. Let author and historian Jay Barnes “show you the ropes” in his program that explores the etymology (word origins) of these words and phrases, and offers many surprising examples of Nautical Terms in Everyday Use. This program, free of charge, will be held Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m.

Feb. 12, 6 p.m.
Join museum educators for a new program, Love on the High Seas. Bring your Valentine to hear stories of maritime love and romance while enjoying sweet treats on Friday evening, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. Call the museum to reserve your space.

Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Classroom teachers and informal educators are invited to a winter workshop entitled Oceans to Estuaries: Conserve the Connection. Discover the secrets of estuaries and how they connect the rivers to the sea. Activities include presentations by local scientists and educators plus reviews of several lesson plans and resources.

Co-sponsored by the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve and Carteret County School District, this six-hour workshop, lunch, door prizes, and associated resources are provided free of charge and can be submitted for 0.6 CEU credit. Prior to the workshop, on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., experience educational activities and a natural history hike at the Rachel Carson Reserve. The pre-workshop field trip counts 0.4 hours towards completion of CEU credit.

Advance registration is required, and class size is limited. To register for the teacher workshop, contact Allison Besch at allison.besch@ncdcr.gov, or 252/728-7317. Please direct questions to Allison or to Miriam Sutton at msutt@coastalnet.com.

Find out about all of the educational programs happening at the Maritime Museum on the Web at www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

Pamlico Joe – For a Rip-roaring Good Time
www.pamlicojoe.com

Pamlico Joe & Clean Water Flow kick off their 2010 world tour of River School in January. River School concerts focus on coastal habitats and how people impact the coast no matter where they live. Animals can’t protect their environment but people can. With the sound of the opening bell, River School takes students on a journey to the coast where animals come first. River School is a great way to recharge students’ love for the planet.
Concerts offer plenty of high energy audience participation songs that focus on a healthy planet from a coastal perspective. River School is adapted for K-5 audiences and special events. Visit www.pamlicojoe.com to schedule a concert in your school or for your upcoming special events.

Curriculum/Activity Guides Still Available

COSEE SouthEast’s The Educator’s Guide to Marine Debris: Southeast and Gulf of Mexico is a regional introduction to three main categories of marine debris: litter; derelict or abandoned boats; and lost or abandoned commercial and recreational fishing gear. This publication is available for free download on the COSEE SouthEast Web site www.cosee-se.org/marinedebris.php and is also available in hard copy, while supplies last.

North Carolina Big Sweep’s publication Undercurrents: A Big Sweep Middle School Teacher’s Guide includes litter awareness lessons that are correlated with state learning objectives for 8th grade science and math, as well as for healthful living, language arts, and information skills. Undercurrents is available free to North Carolina educators while supplies last.

The Coastal Processes and Conflicts curriculum includes extensive background information for teachers, as well as student lessons that are relevant in any setting — not just the island environment. It is appropriate for middle and high school students. The curriculum can be downloaded for free from www.ecu.edu/educ/csmte/coastal_processes.cfm. Or you can order a hard copy ($10 includes postage), which comes with a CD containing color copies of figures used in the student activities.

Each of these education resources is available from Terri Kirby Hathaway, NC Sea Grant, terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu.

Need to contact me?
If you ever have information to share with other marine educators, please don’t hesitate to send it my way for inclusion in a future issue of the Scotch Bonnet. Let me know what you’re hearing from the sea!

Please share this Web site with others — and share my email address with anyone who wants to receive a message when each Scotch Bonnet is available online! Thanks for all you do for students and for other educators!

My contact information is: North Carolina Sea Grant, PO Box 699, Manteo, NC 27954; phone: 252/475-3663; fax: 252/475-3545; e-mail: terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu.

Best Fishes!

Terri Kirby Hathaway
Marine Education Specialist
NC Sea Grant
terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu

Fall is my favorite time at the coast.  There is so much going on, and the autumn environment is always just perfect for me — a little twinge of cool in the air, the sound of sea oats blowing in the stiff breeze, deserted beaches (okay, almost deserted), waves crashing on the shore, etc.  Just writing about fall beachcombing is getting me eager for a walk on the beach.  I think I’m going to leave work right now and go beachcombing!

Keep reading for some fall opportunities and ideas for educators.  There is a lot going on in North Carolina!

Take A Child Outside Week – September 24-30
www.takeachildoutside.org

Join the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences for the third annual “Take A Child Outside” week.  This international event encourages people to help reconnect children with nature.  Parents, teachers and other caregivers are asked to make a pledge to take a child outside, and then to post a description of what they did or where they went on the Web site (www.takeachildoutside.org).  In addition they can find hundreds of partnering organizations offering unique opportunities from across the United States and in four foreign countries.

This event was created in response to the fact that today’s generation of children does not spend significant time outdoors exploring the natural world.  As adults, people who have a strong connection to a special place in the environment are more likely to support conservation efforts.  Children who feel alienated from the environment can experience increased feelings of stress, have trouble paying attention and have a sense of being disconnected from the world.  Studies also link the lack of time outside to increased childhood obesity and increased attention-deficit disorder behaviors.

For more information about the week or becoming a partner, please contact Liz Baird at liz.baird@ncdenr.gov.

MAMEA Conference Set for October 2-4
www.mamea.org/2009conf.html

Come on and join marine educators from North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, Washington D.C. and Maryland for an exciting professional development opportunity at the Virden Center, University of Delaware’s College of Marine Studies, in Lewes, Del. October 2-4!

“New Inspiration in Marine Education” will offer a variety of educational experiences for marine educators from the MAMEA region.  On Friday, October 2, enjoy field trips including kayaking, a tour of the research labs and a wetlands hike.  Gary Kreamer from “Green Eggs & Sand” will be the featured speaker for Friday evening. He will talk about Delaware’s unique aquatic habitats.

Saturday, October 3, features presentations on the latest marine and aquatic research and how we can include this new and exciting information in our classrooms and education programs; as well as presentations by educators on lessons, activities and resources.  And you don’t want to miss the fun-filled marine auction and accompanying party!

You can choose to stay and take advantage of the free University of Delaware’s Coast Day with exhibits, seafood cooking demonstrations, boat tours, a boat show and much more on Sunday, October 4.  Visit www.ocean.udel.edu/coastday for details about this annual event.

NC Outdoor Classroom Symposium – October 22-24
www.eenorthcarolina.org/outdoor_classrooms_about.htm

The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program, the N.C. Botanical Garden, the Environmental Education Fund, the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and the Natural Learning Initiative at North Carolina State University invite you to attend the North Carolina Outdoor Classroom Symposium on October 22-24 at the N.C. Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill.

The symposium will focus on techniques for creating, maintaining and using outdoor classrooms and strategies for integrating outdoor learning into the curriculum.  It will feature sessions on how to create specific types of school gardens and natural areas, how to start farm-to-school programs and how to design and use your school grounds to enhance learning across the curriculum. Pre-symposium workshops will be offered on Thursday. Mobile workshops on Saturday will give participants the opportunity to visit school and community gardens.  Other highlights will include a Friday evening reception, educational exhibits and many opportunities for networking and learning!

Sessions will be appropriate for educators who already have an outdoor classroom and for those who are just beginning to develop their schoolyard areas for outdoor environmental learning. Teachers can earn CEU credits, and all participants can earn credit towards their N.C. Environmental Education Certification. This will be a great opportunity for classroom teachers, teacher assistants, school administrators, parent volunteers, non-formal educators and those involved in the design of outdoor learning and play areas from across the state!

Visit the Web site for a brief agenda and to find out about registration.

Other Interesting Educational Opportunities for Educators

If you enjoy walking the beach, finding neat things, picking them up and appreciating them, then I have got some wonderful events for you this fall!  Sea-beans, sea glass and beachcombing in general are featured in three unique learning opportunities.  I’ll be reporting on at least two of these in upcoming issues of Scotch Bonnet.  Maybe I’ll see some of you there!

October 16-17 — 14^th Annual International Sea-Bean Symposium, Cocoa Beach Public Library, Cocoa Beach, Fla.  www.seabean.com/symposium/2009/index.htm

October 17-18 – North American Sea Glass Festival, Bayfront Convention Center, Erie, Pa.  www.seaglassassociation.org/SeaGlassFestival.php

November 7-8 — First International Beachcombing Conference, Phillip Merrill Environmental Center, Annapolis, Md.  www.beachcombingconference.com

Photography Exhibit at NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
www.ncaquariums.com/

The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher invites you to view the peaceful moments in life with its new Spadefish gallery art exhibit.  ”Photography by Matt Lettrich” will be on display September through November.  The exhibit showcases breathtaking photographs of coastal landscapes with unique lighting and remarkable perspectives.

After taking a darkroom studio photography course in high school, Lettrich became entranced by photography.  The class credit quickly morphed into a passionate hobby.  Lettrich enjoys engaging in outdoor activities and snapping shots of subjects that enhance his experience.  His camera always accompanies him in case the perfect shot arises ¾ such as waves crashing underneath a pier or a fisherman lifting a cast net out of the water at sunset.  Lettrich currently attends the University of North Carolina Wilmington as a graduate student in the marine science program.

The Spadefish gallery at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher showcases local artists throughout the year.  Artwork that coincides with the Aquarium’s mission of “Inspiring Appreciation and Conservation of North Carolina’s Aquatic Environment” is located on the second floor, near the auditorium.

North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching
www.nccat.org

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) provides a collegial and engaging environment for teachers — a place to learn, think, debate, and explore.  NCCAT’s instructional programs are relevant to all subjects taught in North Carolina’s classrooms.  Please consider joining NCCAT for one of the STEM seminars listed below at no expense to you or your school.  Invite your colleagues to apply today, too.  NCCAT covers all program costs, including seminar expenses, meals, lodging and pay for the substitute teacher.  We encourage you and your colleagues to apply for a professional development seminar today by calling Teacher Services at 800/922-0482.

Here is just a sampling of opportunities available with NCCAT.  To view a PDF of all fall seminars, visit http://www.nccat.org/News_Items/Archives/2009/SD_09_fall_revised2.pdf.

Awakening Your Inner Einstein:  Science for the Non-Science Teacher
November 1–5: Cullowhee

Young children enthusiastically embrace learning about the world they live in with fearless abandon.  So why, many years later, do so many adults — including teachers — often consider themselves a “non-science” person?  Somehow many of us have misplaced our instinctive desire to understand the world around us and have walled ourselves off from much of the joy and magic the universe has to offer.  Join us as we seek to rekindle that spark of curiosity that still glows inside us all.

Climbing the Double Helix: Is DNA Destiny?
December 1–5: Ocracoke

Even 50 years after the discovery of the DNA molecule, scientists continue to debate the roles of environment versus genetics with regard to the growth, development and behavior of humans.  Roll up your sleeves, board the Destiny traveling science laboratory and master firsthand the techniques scientists use to identify and sequence bits of DNA.  Prior knowledge of biochemistry is not required for this seminar.

Narrative Images:  Storytelling in the Age of New Media
December 6–10: Cullowhee

We define our world with narrative images.  This seminar will focus on using both digital technology and traditional materials to explore and interpret forms of new media and sequential art narratives.  Enrich your understanding of storytelling and learn new techniques for self-expression that reaffirm your abilities as a participant in an essentially creative, image-driven world.

What’s New at the NC Maritime Museum
www.ncmaritime.org

The N.C. Maritime Museum’s education department underwent several personnel changes this year.  Jeannie Kraus and JoAnne Powell announced their retirements in December 2008 and June 2009, respectively.  Jeannie and JoAnne have each given more than 30 years of service to the museum and have shaped the education department into what it is today.  Patrons who miss their expertise and humor should check upcoming calendars for special appearances in field programs starting this fall.

The department would like to welcome Laurie Streble as Associate Museum Curator.  Laurie came to the museum in July 2009 and will be coordinating public programs for the museum.  She previously worked as Outreach Coordinator at the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores and holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Allegheny College.

The annual museum Calendar of Events can now be found as a pullout section of the museum’s newsletter, the Waterline.  Pick up a copy of the Waterline today for the latest public programs and special events at the museum.

This fall visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including nature trips to Rachel Carson Reserve and Shackleford Banks, a taste of local marine delicacies at the new Maritime Seafood Dinner Series, and tricks and treats at Fright Night at the museum.  Free museum lectures will feature the latest on modern piracy, the archaeology of the Queen Anne’s Revenge and an investigation of storms in the Graveyard of the Atlantic.  For more details and information, visit www.ncmaritimemuseum.org

Manatees Sighted in Carteret County
www.carolinacoastonline.com

Some Carteret County residents were treated to a unique sight in early September –  three manatees exploring in Peletier Creek near Morehead City!  Go to www.carolinacoastonline.com/articles/2009/09/09/news-times/news/doc4aa7c3c00dda2150880821.txt for details!

Sands Teach
http://web.vims.edu/bridge/

An earlier online discussion on scuttlebutt focused on using sand in teaching has generated an exchange of great Web sites that can help you incorporate sand as a teaching tool in your classrooms.  Check out some of these resources and don’t forget to check out the links from the Bridge, (search for “sand.”)

www.sandcollectors.org/ISCSHomeIndexx.html

www.jaster.20m.com/Trading/TradeList.html

www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech080.shtml

www.chariho.k12.ri.us/curriculum/MISmart/ocean/sandintr.html

If you’re not a member of the Scuttlebutt discussion list, join up!  You never know what is going to be announced, discussed or revealed!  Go to the Bridge Web site, click on “Communicate” and follow the link to the Scuttlebutt E-mail List.

Curriculum/Activity Guides Still Available

COSEE SouthEast’s The Educator’s Guide to Marine Debris:  Southeast and Gulf of Mexico is a regional introduction to three main categories of marine debris:  litter; derelict or abandoned boats; and lost or abandoned commercial and recreational fishing gear.  This publication is available for free download on the COSEE SouthEast Web site (www.cosee-se.org/marinedebris.php)  and is also available in hard copy, while supplies last.

North Carolina Big Sweep’s publication Undercurrents:  A Big Sweep Middle School Teacher’s Guide includes litter awareness lessons that are correlated with state learning objectives for eigth grade science and math, as well as for healthful living, language arts and information skills.  Undercurrents is available free to North Carolina educators while supplies last.

The Coastal Processes and Conflicts curriculum includes extensive background information for teachers, as well as student lessons that are relevant in any setting — not just the island environment.  It is appropriate for middle and high school students.  The curriculum can be downloaded for free from www.ecu.edu/educ/csmte/coastal_processes.cfm.  Or you can order a hard copy ($10 includes postage), which comes with a CD containing color copies of figures used in the student activities.

Each of these education resources is available from Terri Kirby Hathaway, North Carolina Sea Grant, terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu.

Need to contact me?

If you ever have information to share with other marine educators, please don’t hesitate to send it my way for inclusion in a future issue of the Scotch Bonnet.  Let me know what you’re hearing from the sea!

My contact information is: North Carolina Sea Grant, PO Box 699, Manteo, NC 27954; phone: 252/475-3663; fax: 252/475-3545; e-mail: terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu.

Best Fishes!

Marine Education Specialist
NC Sea Grant
terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu