Exploring the Physical Foundations
of Oceanography

Summer Workshop for Master Precollege Teachers of Oceanographic Topics

July 14 - 25, 2008

United States Naval Academy Annapolis, Maryland

With assistance from:

United States Naval Academy
State University of New York - Brockport
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
United States Navy

This two-week workshop is designed for master precollege teachers and supervisors of science who teach or supervise the teaching of units with significant oceanography content. The workshop is intended to (a) introduce master teachers to the physical foundations of selected oceanographic topics and issues, (b) explore and suggest ways in which these understandings and concepts can be employed in school studies, and (c) prepare workshop attendees to conduct training sessions on selected oceanography topics and issues for teachers in their home areas during the next school year.

Each participant will be supplied with a variety of instructional resource materials, including those to be used in subsequent peer-led teacher training sessions. As the result of successful completion of workshop activities, participants will:

1. Demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge concerning the physical foundations of selected oceanographic topics and issues.
2. Show evidence of being able to analyze and interpret oceanographic information acquired through direct and remote sensing of the ocean environment.
3. Exhibit understanding of current science education research findings and their classroom applications.
4. Indicate their plans to promote oceanographic education in their home areas by taking part in the in-service training of fellow teachers, especially those who teach students who are members of groups underrepresented in the sciences.

The workshop will be held at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland. The intensive workshop will include lectures, tutorials, seminars, research cruises, hands-on laboratory exercises, and field trips. Faculty members from USNA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other scientists, and professional science educators will present workshop topics. The workshop will focus on the physical foundations of selected oceanographic topics and issues. The major topics presented in this particular program will center on waves, tides, density- and wind-driven oceanographic circulations and on ocean-atmosphere interactions. Issues to be explored include:

• Physical factors impacting ocean life
• Changing climate, sea levels and coastlines
• Ocean reservoir capacity
• Sea level measurement
• Direct/remote sensing
• El Niño Air-Ocean interaction
• Winds, storms, hurricanes, and storm surges

Formal workshop activity will extend from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Several evening meetings and a Saturday, July 19th, excursion are planned. Sunday, July 20th, will be free for sightseeing and rest.

Applicants need to be aware that the Chesapeake Bay can be a physically demanding environment for marine studies. Also, walking a half-mile under high summer heat and humidity conditions is routine several times a day during the workshop.

• Ira W. Geer, Co-Director, Maury Project, Director, Education Program, American Meteorological Society, Washington, DC
• David R. Smith, Co-Director, Maury Project, Associate Professor and Chairman, Oceanography Department, USNA, Annapolis, MD
• Andrew C. Muller, Associate Professor of Oceanography, USNA
• Robert S. Weinbeck, Associate Professor, Department of the Earth Sciences, State University of New York College at Brockport, NY
• Donald E. McManus, Science Teacher,

Special speakers will include oceanographers and senior scientists and administrators from NOAA, Navy and NSF.

The USNA Oceanography Department will host the workshop. USNA has the most extensive undergraduate oceanographic instructional facilities in the country. The department consists of fourteen faculty members, seven laboratories, a fully equipped 108-foot oceanographic research vessel, and two visiting faculty research positions, including one NOAA scientist.

Located at the mouth of the Severn River, the Hendrix Oceanography Laboratory is a multi-function enclosure featuring a NOAA Tide Station and a wet laboratory where holding tanks circulate water from the Chesapeake Bay. Another laboratory complex located in Rickover Hall houses the physical, geological, biological, and general oceanographic laboratories. Also housed in Rickover Hall is the Cooperative Project in Oceanic Remote Sensing Laboratory, a joint effort of USNA and NOAA.

The Greater Chesapeake Bay region is replete with natural sites and oceanographic research facilities. During the workshop, research cruises will be made on the Chesapeake Bay, NOAA research facilities will be visited, and a field trip will be made to see places of oceanographic significance in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area.

Applications are invited from master teachers and supervisors of precollege science who can provide evidence they:

1. Have had sufficient college-level training to profit from the material presented.
2. Teach, or supervise the instruction of, significant units in which oceanography materials are or can be included.
3. Have demonstrated leadership in teaching, curriculum development, and/or the in-service teaching of fellow teachers.
4. Will be able to promote the teaching of the physical foundations of oceanography in their home areas and states. This will include the arranging and presenting a minimum of two training sessions for precollege teachers.

Participants will be selected to provide a national geographic distribution and a cross-section of school environments - inner city, urban, suburban, and rural. Teachers who are members of groups underrepresented in the sciences and/or teach (or will peer train teachers who teach) significant numbers of precollege students who are members of groups underrepresented in the sciences are especially encouraged to apply.

All communications concerning the workshop and applications should be sent to:

All completed applications should be postmarked by March 21, 2008, although later submissions will be considered if workshop vacancies exist. Initial notification of workshop awards and alternates will be made by letter on April 4, 2008.

In selecting individuals for participation and otherwise in the administration of this workshop, the American Meteorological Society will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, and status as a Vietnam Era or disabled veteran.

Participants may earn three semester hours of graduate credit in ESC 672 Ocean Topics through the State University of New York College at Brockport, upon satisfactory completion of the workshop and the submission of a follow-up report of their oceanography education activities. Credit will be awarded at the end of the Fall 2008 semester and may be applied to the Master of Science in Education degree at SUNY Brockport.

• Stipend of $600
• Single dormitory room for twelve nights at no cost to the participant
• Meals are provided
• Air travel (or land travel equivalent) for one round trip between home and Annapolis, MD
• Instructional and laboratory supplies
• Free tuition
• Set of instructional materials

Participants will be expected to stay in housing accommodations arranged by the American Meteorological Society as the workshop will be intensive and will involve several evening meetings. Informal interaction among participants during meals, evenings, and on the weekend will be an integral component of the workshop.

Housing will be located on the St. John's College campus, immediately adjacent to USNA and within walking distance to instructional facilities. Most meals will be provided via a meal plan with St. John's. St. John's College was founded in 1696 and its campus is a National Historic Landmark. Downtown Annapolis with its many sights and restaurants is close by.

Participants will be encouraged to attend without families if their presence is likely to detract from full participation. No support is provided for dependents.

© Copyright 2007 American Meteorological Society