K-12 Teacher Resources

CMOP K-12 Teacher Resources » EARTH 2010 Workshop » Coastal Observatory Network » Teachers Translating Research into Practice (TTRP) » Ocean Observatories and Teachers

EARTH 2010 Workshop
EARTH uses near-real-time data from ocean observatories to design and test outreach with the Internet as an interface to scientists, teachers, students, and the public.

The 2010 EARTH workshop is being cohosted by the Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction (CMOP) and will take place in Beaverton, Oregon this summer starting in the late afternoon of July 11th and ending in the early afternoon on July 16th. The focus of this EARTH workshop will be on Ocean Observatories. Teachers will learn the basics of information technology, computer modeling, ocean engineering, hydrology, meteorology, and oceanography—all essential to creation of modern coastal margin observatories—and will leverage that knowledge by creation teaching modules for classroom use.
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Coastal Observatory Network
CMOP has a coastal observation network that includes endurance stations, land-based radars, pioneer arrays, and mobile platforms. Teachers have access to current station readings and the ability plot x and y variables over a specific date range. Check back in early summer for activities developed and focused on the Columbia River Estuary.
» View the Observation Stations Interactive Map

Teachers Translating Research into Practice (TTRP)
CMOP offers a 3-year teacher professional development program for teachers who want to gain a deeper understanding of scientific research and culture, and who seek support in translating their research experience into successful classroom activities. During the first summer the program is approximately 75% research and 25% translation supported by a master teacher. The second summer is split evenly between research and translation, and the third is focused on translation and dissemination. CMOP expects this program will advance participant teachers of research and the translation of experience into meaningful classroom activities.

Misty Scevola was the first teacher to participate in the TTRP program mentioned above. Misty teaches Science and Natural Resources at Meek Pro Tech in Portland. Her research included culturing bacteria from Columbia River water samples collected from the Estuarine Turbidity Maximum. Chromosomal DNA was isolated and amplified by PCR using bacteria 16SrDNA primers. The PCR products were sent for nucleotide sequencing. This research was being conducted to help characterize the bacteria within the estuary. At the end of the summer, Misty said, "Being a part of TTRP gave me insight into the larger picture of how and why (my) teaching about the ocean is relevant." Misty returned for her second summer in 2008.

Ocean Observatories and Teachers
Teachers working with underrepresented students in science and engineering will come together in a community of practice to learn about interdisciplinary research being conducted at CMOP.

Teachers will learn the basics of information technology, computer modeling, ocean engineering, hydrology, meteorology, and oceanography—all essential to creation of modern coastal margin observatories—and will leverage that knowledge by creation teaching modules for classroom use.

To make the modules more powerful and effective, teachers will learn how to enable students to access and interpret real-time and trended information from computer modeling, ocean from state-of-the-art observatories for Oregon estuaries and coasts.

Mentored and structured 8-week summer programs will allow teachers to develop the teaching units that they will deliver and test during the school year. All curricula will be designed and implemented to creatively and directly leverage youths' natural interest in the ocean and in the internet into greater interest in STEM classes and careers.

Teacher Workshops
In 2010, CMOP will present a workshop for K-12 Teachers interested in learning about CoaCH (Coastal CHallenge) for the purposes of incorporating it into their curricula.

To learn more about CoaCH, visit the CMOP K-12 Education page.

For more information about any of the K-12 Programs:
Karen Wegner, Director of K-12 Education, (503) 748-1099