Education Strategic Plan 2010-2020

h t t p : / / s a n c t u a r i e s . n o a a . g o v / e d u c a t i o n

National Marine SanctuariesNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

EDUCATION VISIONAn ocean-literate public making informed environmental decisions.

EDUCATION MISSIONTo inspire ocean and climate literacy and conservation through national marine sanctuaries.

STATUTES FOR NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY EDUCATION • AmericaCOMPETESAct(P.L.110-69) • NationalMarineSanctuariesAct(P.L.106-513,Sections1431etseq.) • EngineeringinK-12Education:UnderstandingtheStatusandImprovingtheProspects

SUPPORTINGDIRECTIVESFORNATIONALMARINESANCTUARYEDUCATION • NOAA’sEducationStrategicPlan(2009) • NOAA’s2009-2014StrategicPlan(2008) • TheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeReport:MitigationofClimateChange(2007) • ReportoftheAcademicCompetitivenessCouncil(2007) • ConferenceonOceanLiteracyReport(2006) • ThePresident’sU.S.OceanActionPlan(2005) • NationalAcademiesReport:RisingAbovetheGatheringStorm(2005) • TheU.S.CommissiononOceanPolicy,AnOceanBlueprintforthe21stCentury(2004) • DiscoveringEarth’sFinalFrontier:AU.S.StrategyforOceanExploration(2000)

DISCLAIMERSTheterm“education”isusedthroughoutthestrategicplan,andservestoencompassformaleducation,informaleducation,andoutreachforeducation.

AllreferencestotheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesandnationalmarinesanctuariesservestoen-compassthePapahānaumokuākeaMarineNationalMonument.Althoughthemonumentisnotanationalmarinesanctuary,itisco-managedbytheDepartmentofCommerce’sNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration’s(NOAA)OfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries,Departmentof Interior’sU.S.FishandWildlifeService,andtheStateofHawai`iandfallswithinthescopeoftheNOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesEducationStrategicPlan.

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COVERPHOTOCREDITS(clockwisefromtopleft):ClaireFackler;FarallonesMarineSanctuaryAssociation;AelfricWolf;ClaireFackler;SeaberryNachbar;SeaberryNachbar;ClaireFackler

TABLEOFCONTENTS

ExECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................1GOAL1: Demonstrateeducationmanagementexcellence ................................................................2GOAL2: Enhance ocean and climate literacy through national marine sanctuaries ...........................4GOAL3: Develop and strengthen strategic education partnerships ....................................................6APPENDIxA: ProfileandHistory .................................................................................................................8APPENDIxB: InnovativeNationalMarineSanctuariesEducationProgramming ..................................... 10

Education Vision ................................................... iEducation Mission ................................................. i Statutes for Education ........................................... iSupporting Directives for Education ...................... iDisclaimers ............................................................ iIntroductory Letter .............................................. ivNOAAEducationandOutreachDefinitions ..........3Ocean and Climate Literacy Education Drivers ....5Strategy for Implementation .................................7

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:RocioLozano

MERITOstudents,liketheseonAnacapaIsland,conductstewardshipprojectstoprotecttheirsanctuaries

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:BenBrandes

TOTHESANCTUARYFAMILY,OURPARTNERS,ANDFRIENDSOFAMERICA’SUNDERWATER TREASURES:

ThehealthofouroceanandGreatLakes, influencedbyglobalaswellas local forces,approachesacriticaljuncture.Humanactivitieshavebeendegradingthecherishedenvironmentalqualities–cleanwater,diverseandproductiveecosystemsandhealthyfoods–thatourforefatherstookforgranted.WenowunderstandthattheoceanandGreatLakescannothealthemselvesendlessly,andtheirbountyisnotlimitless.Theweightofscientificevidencesupportingtheoriesofclimatechange,sealevelriseandoceanacidificationchangesthewaywethinkaboutthesevitalresourcesandourwaysofcaringfortheoceanandfreshwaterplacesweholdmostdear.

TheNOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries ischargedwithconservingandmanagingspecialmarineprotectedareasdeemedtobeofirreplaceablenationalsignificance.Educationplaysakeyroleinfulfillingthismandate.Overthepastdecade,sanctuaryeducationprogramshavebeenapowerfulforceinbuildingstew-ardshipfortheseuniqueplacesandinstimulatingmarineeducation,butthepressuresonsanctuariesandthegreateroceancontinuetogrow.Thankfully,sodoesthepublic’sattentiontooceanhealthissues.TheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesmustcapitalizeonthisopportunitytoprovideourconstituentsandpolicy-makersatalllevelswiththeinformationtheyneedtomakeintelligentenvironmentaldecisions.

Acrossthesanctuarysystemthereisarenewedfocusoneducationalinitiativesthatwillincreasethepublic’soceanandclimate literacy throughnewand innovativeprogramming. Incoordinationandcooperationwithnumerouspartners,wehopetoinspireournation’scitizenstogreaterlevelsofpersonalresponsibilityforthemarineandfreshwaterenvironmentsandgreaterstewardshipofAmerica’sunderwater treasures–nationalmarine sanctuaries.

Wehaveprogressedfromaskingwhatisintheoceanandwhereitis,toincludethelargerquestionsofwhythingsarechanging,whatwecandotohelpandhowwecanadapttothesechanges.Wenowneedtomoveforward,strongerthanever.InthefollowingpagesofthisdocumentyouwillfindtheEducationStrategicPlanfortheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries,whichprovidesforward-thinkingguidanceforthenext10years.Itisdesignedtoensureeducationexcellenceinsanctuaryprogramming,increasethepublic’slevelofoceanandclimateliteracy,andcultivatepartnershipsthatwillenhanceoceanhealthandmarineresourceprotection.Bybuildinguponourpastachievementsanddevelopingstrategicinitiatives,wecanworktogetherforthebenefitofouroceanplanet.Thankyouforyourpastsupport,andwelookforwardtoworkingwithyoutoimplementthisplan.

Sincerely

DanielJ.Basta,DirectorNOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries

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eanforLifeProgram,Florida

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ExECUTIVE SUMMARY

Weareatauniquepointinhistory.Theconfluenceofscientificevidenceclearlydemonstratestheoceanisindanger,andeveryonefromourpoliticalleaderstolocalcommunitiesneedstotakeactiontoreversethetideandpreservethewondersoftheoceanforfuturegenerations.Ifwearetoeffectivelyprotectourresources,wemustcommunicatetheprecariousstateoftheoceantoourcitizensandhelpthemunderstandtheirroleinsavingvitaloceanplaceslikenational marine sanctuaries.

Nationalmarinesanctuariesare livingclassroomswherepeoplecansee, touchand learnabout thenation’sspectacularmarine lifeandrichmaritimehistory.Weconsistentlystrivetoimprovethemannerinwhichwefulfillourmandatededucationmissionto“enhancepub-licawareness,understandingandappreciationofnationalmarinesanctuariesandthesys-tem…”aswellasto“emphasizetheconservationgoalsandsustainablepublicusesofna-tionalmarinesanctuariesandthesystem,”containedinSection309(C)oftheNationalMarineSanctuariesAct.Tothatend,oureducationandoutreachprogramsarecreatedtoinstillanoceanethicthatwilltouchtheheartsandmindsofournationalpublic.AspartoftheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA),theOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesisworkingtoenhancetheNOAAeducationvisiontocreate“aninformedsocietythatusesacomprehensiveunderstandingoftheroleoftheocean,coasts,andatmosphereintheglobalecosystem to make the best social and economic decisions”.

TheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesNationalEducationStrategicPlanismeanttobeavisionarydocumentwhichcapitalizesonthecurrentmomentumforchangeandsetsanover-archingstructure fromwhichtocreatesuccessful implementationplansonasite, regionalandnationallevel.Throughthefollowinggoalsandobjectives,wehopetosetthecourseforOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuarieseducationinitiativestowardachievingourvisionofanocean-literatepublicmakinginformedenvironmentaldecisions.ThisplanwasalsowrittentobuilduponthepastsuccessesfromthefirstOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesEducationStrategicPlanadoptedinAugust2000andtofocusoureffortsinfulfillmentofourmissiontoinspire ocean and climate literacy and conservation of the national marine sanctuaries.

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Goal 1DEMONSTRATEEDUCATIONMANAGEMENTExCELLENCE

Outcome: A skilled team of education experts with a strong reputation for developing and delivering high-quality marine education materials and programs that effectively respond to ocean and Great Lakes issues in national marine sanctuaries.

OBJECTIVE1Buildandmaintainadynamiceducationteam.

Strategy1.1.1:MaintaintheEducationExecutiveCouncil.

Strategy1.1.2:Provideprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesforeducationstaffatalllevels(i.e.site,region,national).

Strategy1.1.3:Createandencourageexchangeopportunitiestoothersites,regionsandheadquarterswithintheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesandNOAA.

Strategy1.1.4:Developacareerladderidentifyingdifferentlevelsforeducationstaff-ing and provide a professional development plan to reach those levels.

OBJECTIVE2SuccessfullyintegratesanctuaryeducationintoOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries,NationalOceanServiceandNOAAplanning,processandprotocols.

Strategy1.2.1:StandardizeeducationAnnualOperatingPlanreportingacrosssites,regionsandheadquarters.

StudentsparticipateintheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries’“OceanforLife”educa-

tionprograminsummer2009(top).Studentsworktogethertomonitorwaterqualityinalocalwatershed(middle).AninnovativeROVbuilding

programintroducesstudentstothefieldsofmarinetechnologyandengineering(bottom).

2Photos(toptobottom):NatividadChen,Canada(OceanforLifeProgram,California);SeaberryNachbar;ClaireFackler

Strategy1.2.2: Ensurerepresentationatall internalsanc-tuaryExecutiveTeam,LeadershipTeam,cross-cutting,re-gional,facilities,policy,managementplandevelopmentandstrategicplanningmeetings,aswellasotherprogram-widesummits and initiatives.

Strategy1.2.3:Worktoensuresite,regionalandnationaleducation implementation plans complement each other and are included in the management planning process.

Strategy1.2.4:EnsureOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuar-ieseducationrepresentationinlineofficeandNOAA-wideprograms,committeesandprojects,asapplicable.

Strategy1.2.5:National,regionalandsiteeducationplanswillcomplementnational,regionalandsanctuarycross-cutprograms.

OBJECTIVE3Maximizeallfundingopportunities.

Strategy1.3.1:Pursuestrategicgovernmentrelationstosupportprogressivenational,regionalandlocalfundingpossibilities.

Strategy1.3.2:Pursueindependentfundingopportunitiesinpartnershipwithsupportingfoundations(i.e.grants)fornational, regionalandsiteeducationprograms,toolsandproducts.

Strategy1.3.3:Developmerchandising,programrevenueandsponsorshipmechanismsthroughexternalpartnerships.

OBJECTIVE4Optimizeuseofemergingtechnologieswithtrainingopportunitiesforstaffdevelopment.

Strategy1.4.1:Educationworkinggroupwillassesstechnologyneedsandopportunitiestoensureefficientandeffectiveoperation.

OBJECTIVE5Ensureeducationstafffamiliaritywith,understandingofandinvolvementinthedevelopmentandplanningprocessforfacilities,exhibitsandsignageprograms.

Strategy1.5.1:IntegratetheEducationTeamintodefinedprocessforplanningvisitor’scenters,exhibitryandsignage.

OBJECTIVE6Supportcollaborativesystem-wideeducationprogramsbasedontheeducationteampriorities.

Strategy1.6.1:Ensuresiteandregioninvolvementinsystem-wideeducationinitiatives.

OBJECTIVE7Evaluateprogresstowardgoalofachievingeffectiveeducationmanagementexcellence.Strategy1.7.1:Utilizeevaluationworkinggrouptodevelopmethodsandtoolstoevaluateprogress.

NOAA Definitions of Education and Outreach

Formal Education Learning within a structured education system in which children or adults are required to demonstrate proficiency.

Informal Education Learning outside the established formal system that meets clearly defined objectives through organized education activities.

Outreach for Education Activities that are designed to build awareness, develop relationships, promote education products and inspire educators, students and the public to pursue further learn-ing opportunities.

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Goal 2ENHANCEOCEANANDCLIMATELITERACYTHROUGHNATIONALMARINESANCTUARIES

Outcome: Increased number of ocean- and climate-literate people who are capable of making informed and responsible decisions that may impact the ocean and its resources.

OBJECTIVE1AssessexistinglevelofintegrationofoceanandclimateliteracyprinciplesinallOfficeof National Marine Sanctuaries programming.

Strategy2.1.1:Identifytheroleofnationalmarinesanctuarystaffinoceanandclimateliteracy initiatives.

Strategy2.1.2:FinalizeoverallplanforintegratingoceanandclimateliteracyprinciplesandconceptsintoOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuarieseducationprogramsandproj-ects.

OBJECTIVE2Refineoceanandclimate literacymessagesanddevelopasuiteof tools toensuremessages are integrated into all National Marine Sanctuary System programs.

Strategy2.2.1: Developappropriatetools(i.e. technology,curricula)andmessagesusingkeyoceanandclimateliteracyconceptsasaframework.

Strategy2.2.2:Incorporateoceanandclimateliteracyconceptsintoallprogramareasthroughsanctuaryscienceandresourceprotectionexamples.

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Underwaterinterpretationhelpseducateaquariumvisitorsabouttheoceanandnationalmarinesanctuaries(top).Studentsparticipate

in hands-on environmental monitoring activities aspartoftheLiMPETSnetwork(middle).Youth

Education Summits provide an opportunity for older students to serve as mentors to children

inyoungergrades(bottom).

Photos(toptobottom):RobO’Neal/MonroeCountyTouristDevelopmentCouncil;ClaireFackler;GailKrueger

Strategy2.2.3:Workwithpartnerstoensuremessagesareusedinjointprograms.

Strategy2.2.4:Workwithcelebritiestoincreasethepublicprominence of ocean issues.

Strategy2.2.5:Utilizeexhibits,signageandkiosksastoolsto further ocean and climate literacy messages.

Strategy2.2.6:Utilizebestpracticesguidebookforalledu-cationprojecttools.

OBJECTIVE3Workwith formaland informaleducationgroups todevelopandenhanceoceanandGreatLakesstewardshipopportuni-ties.

Strategy2.3.1: Workwithprofessionaleducationorganiza-tionsatthenational,regionalandsiteleveltointegrateoceanand climate principles through national marine sanctuaries into larger programs.

Strategy 2.3.2: Workwith partners to contribute contentand activities for curricular materials to increase likelihood thatsanctuary-specificoceanandclimateliteracyconceptsmaybeincludedinfutureeditions.

Strategy2.3.3:Collaborateonoceanandclimateliteracycampaigns.

Strategy2.3.4:Pursuemulti-mediaopportunitiestoincorporateoceanandclimateliteracymessages.

OBJECTIVE4WorkwiththeNationalMarineSanctuarySystemnetworkofvolunteerstohelpensurepublicknowledgeandstewardshipofoceanandGreatLakesresources.

Strategy2.4.1:Formalizevolunteerprogramatnationalandsitelevels.

OBJECTIVE5Adaptprogramsandproductstosuitevolvingdemographics,indigenousculturesanddifferentusergroups.

Strategy2.5.1:Maintainandenhancemulticulturalprogrammingatnational,regionalandsitelevel,reflectiveoflocalcommunitydemographics.

OBJECTIVE6Evaluate goal to ensure ocean and climate literacy have been effectively integrated into all education strategies.

Strategy2.6.1:Utilizeevaluationworkinggrouptodevelopmethodsandtoolstoevaluateprogress.

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The development of science literacy principles has gained the attention of the education and scientific communities to spread public awareness of our ocean and climate issues. The education team for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has been involved very closely with the development of these principles, and has adopted specific concepts that directly enhance sanctuary education efforts “to create ocean and cli-mate literacy through national marine sanctuaries.” The Oceans for Life, Essential Principles for Ocean Litera-cy, and the Essential Principles for Climate Literacy are documents aligned with national education standards to facilitate use of the principles in both formal and informal education settings. These areas of study are critical to NOAA’s mission, forming the central focus of the agency’s efforts in developing an environmen-tally literate society. For more information, please visit http://www.coexploration.org/oceanliteracy and http://climateliteracynow.org.

Ocean and Climate Literacy Drivers for Sanctuary Education

Goal 3DEVELOPANDSTRENGTHENSTRATEGICEDUCATIONPARTNERSHIPS

Outcome: Increased visibility of the National Marine Sanctu-ary System and enhanced programming through strategic and effective education partnerships.

OBJECTIVE1Expandeducationpartnershipsatthenational,regionalandlocallevels.

Strategy3.1.1:Developandimplementplantocreateandmanageeffectiveeducationpartnerships.

Strategy3.1.2:StreamlinecreationandapprovalprocessforMemorandumsofUnder-standing and Memorandums of Agreement.

Strategy3.1.3:Workacrossthesanctuarysystemandwithcross-cut(conservationscience,maritimeheritage,resourceprotection)teamstoexpandexistingpartnershipsto include education and outreach.

OBJECTIVE2Evaluate education partnership program effectiveness.

Strategy3.2.1:Useestablishedbaselinetoassessstrategicgoalsovertime.

Strategy3.2.2:Providemeansforpartnerstoevaluateeducationprograms.

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Workshopsintroduceteacherstowaterqualityprotocolsandothertechnicalmaterials(top).

Sanctuary programs bring together students from diverse backgrounds to study a shared resource (middle).Studentsofallageshaveopportunities

to learn about national marine sanctuaries and the wondersofoceanbiodiversity(bottom).

Photos(toptobottom):LauraFrancis;ClaireFackler;JulieBursek

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STRATEGYFORIMPLEMENTATION

TheEducationStrategicPlanisdesignedtoensureeducationexcellenceinsanctu-aryprogramming,increaseoceanandclimateliteracyinthepublic,andcultivatethepartnerships required to enhance the impact of sanctuarymessages. The goals,outcomes,andobjectivesoftheEducationStrategicPlanprovidetheframework,andwill guide thedirectionofsanctuaryeducation through2020. The ImplementationPlanisacompaniondocumenttoensureourmissiontoinspireoceanandclimateliteracy and conservation through national marine sanctuaries is fully achieved. In addition tooutlining thegoals,objectives,andstrategies, the ImplementationPlanhighlightstheindividualtasksrequiredtofullyexecutetheEducationStrategicPlan2010-2020.TheImplementationPlanalsodetailstheprioritiesoftheNOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesEducationTeamandtheactionstheywilltakeinthenextfiveyearstoaddressopportunitiesandchallengesforachievingthegoalsestablishedintheEducationStrategicPlan2010-2020.

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Appendix APROFILEANDHISTORY

InAugust2000,theNationalMarineSanctuaryProgram(nowOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries)adopteditsfirsteducationstrategicplan,“InformedAction:TheEducation/OutreachStrategyoftheNationalMarineSanctuarySystem.”Withinsixyearsofadopt-ingthatplan,thesanctuaryprogramachievedamajorityofthedefinedgoalsandaccom-plished additional goals not included in the original document. The resulting formation of strategicpartnershipswithintheNationalMarineSanctuarySystem,aswellasexternalpartnersonthelocal,regionalandnationallevels,hasmultipliedthecapabilitiesandau-diencereachofthesanctuarysystemandassistedourprogressinfulfillingourmissionto inform and educate the public as mandated by the National Marine SanctuariesAct.Forexample,theOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesEducationTeamcurrentlyutilizesoceanliteracystandardsformulatedbyabroadteamofeducatorsandscientists,withinandoutsideofthesanctuarysystem,inallcurriculumandeducationprogramde-velopment. These programs and curricula are designed to provide the formal education communitywiththetoolstoeffectivelyteachabouttheoceaninAmerica’sschools.

Duetoincreasingrecognitionoftheneedtostrengthenoceanscienceandeducation,NOAAwasdesignated in theAmericaCOMPETESActof2007asa leadagencyforoceaneducation.The2007legislationsuppliesNOAAwithabroadmandatetosupporteducationalactivitiesatall levels to increasepublicawarenessandunderstandingofoceanscienceandstewardship.ThislanguageprovidesNOAAmuch-neededauthoritytoenhanceandintegrateactivitiesineducation,communications,outreach,extensionandtraining,furthercomplementingtheexistingeducationalmandatesforthesanctuarysystem contained in the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.

TheAmericaCOMPETESActof2007alsodirectedNOAAtocreatea20-yearstrategiceducationplan inpartnershipwithoceanandatmosphericscienceandeducationex-perts,aswellasinterestedmembersofthepublic,tobeevaluatedandupdatedeveryfiveyears.TheNOAAOfficeofEducationdevelopedanEducationStrategicPlanwith

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StudentshaveaccesstoscientificequipmentonboardNOAAresearchvessels(top).Through

professionaldevelopmentopportunities,teacherscanbringtheoceantotheirclassrooms(middle).Charismatichumpbackwhalesandothersanctu-

ary species motivate the public to protect the oceanrealm(bottom).

Photos(toptobottom):HIHWNMSStaff;ClaireFackler;GeoffGrow,ChannelIslandsNaturalistCorps

theoverallvisionof“aninformedsocietythatusesacomprehensiveunderstandingoftheroleoftheoceans,coasts,andatmo-sphereintheglobalecosystemtomakethebestsocialandeconomicdecisions,”andthemission“toadvanceenvironmentalliteracyandpromoteadiverseworkforceinocean,coastal,GreatLakes,weather,andclimatesciencesencouragingsteward-ship and increasing informed decision-making for the Nation.”

Overthelastfouryears,theOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesEducationTeamandEducationExecutiveCouncilhaveundertakenanextensiveplanningprocesstodevelopanewOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesEducationStrategicPlanfor2010-2020.ThisnewEducationStrategicPlanalignswiththeNOAAOfficeofEducation’soverallvisionandmissionandfulfillsmanyofthesameobjectives.Theextensiveplanningprocessincludedastrengths,weaknesses,opportunitiesandthreatsanalysis,aswellasareviewofthesanctuarysystemportfolioofeducationalprogrammingandoutreachinitiativestodeterminethemeans tomaintainand improvesuccessfulprograms, identifycauses forunderperformingprograms,andevaluate thepotentialcapabilitiesofnewtechnologies.ThefollowinggoalsandobjectivesoftheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries2010-2020EducationStrategicPlanaretheresultoftheseprocesses.

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InAugust2000,theNationalMarineSanctuaryPro-gram(nowOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries)adopteditsfirsteducationstrategicplan,“Informed

Action: The Education/Outreach Strategy of the NationalMarineSanctuarySystem”(above).TheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesEducation

StrategicPlan2010-2020(right).

Appendix BINNOVATIVENATIONALMARINESANCTUARIESEDUCATIONPROGRAMMING

TheNOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuarieswantstocontributetothenumberofocean-literatepeoplewhoarecapableofmakinginformedandresponsibledecisionsthat may positively impact the ocean and its resources. There are several approaches to increasingoceanandclimateliteracythroughformalandinformaleducation,andoutreach.They include:curricularmaterialsand lessonplans;professionaldevelop-mentforeducators;fieldstudies;multiculturalprograms;andhigh-techlearning.

CURRICULARMATERIALSANDLESSONPLANSTheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesaimstoprovideteachers,studentsandothertargetaudienceswitheducationalresourcestosupportoceanandclimateliteracyinAmer-ica’sclassrooms.Forexample,theNavigatingChangeTeacher’sGuideisa4th-5thgradestandards-aligned curriculum focused on theNorthwesternHawaiian Islands that getsstudentstounderstandhumanimpactstotheHawaiianArchipelagoandwhatwecandotorestoreournaturalenvironment.StaffhavealsoworkedwiththeNationalGeographicSocietytodevelop12lessonplanswithcomplementaryshortvideosthathighlightcutting-edge research, environmental issues facing theocean today, andour nationalmarinesanctuaries.Sanctuarycontentisalsoprovidedtovariouspartners,suchastheLawrenceHallofScience,CaliforniaEducationandtheEnvironmentInitiative,ImmersionLearning,andtheJASONFoundationforEducation,forinclusioninstandards-basedcurricula.

PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENTFOREDUCATORSProvidingeducatorswiththecontentknowledgeandthetrainingtoteachoceansciencethroughnationalmarinesanctuariesisanelementofwhattheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesEducationTeamdoesaroundthecountryonalocal,regionalandnationallevel. The Long-termMonitoring Program andExperiential Training for Students, alsoknownasLiMPETS,providesauniqueopportunityforteacherstoparticipateinprofes-sionaldevelopmenttogainthenecessaryskillsandconfidencetoengagetheirstudentsin rocky intertidal and sandy beach monitoring along the California coast. This program nowinvolvesmorethan3,500studentsthatcollectlong-termdataintheseimportanthabi-tatsforusebyresourcemanagerstotracktheecosystem’shealth.Inanotherexample,

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Ocean festivals and other outreach events en-gage community members in learning about and appreciatingtheocean(top).Educatorsandstu-dentsgettheirhandswetandmindschallengedduringROVprogramsandcompetitions(middle).

Sanctuaries offer visitors an access point to exploreandlearnabouttheocean(bottom).

Photos(toptobottom):ClaireFackler

teachersfromaroundthecountryhavebeenofferedanopportunitytolearnaboutcoralreefecosystems,participateinaSCUBAdivingfieldexperience,andconductscientificreeffishsurveysatFlowerGardenBanksNationalMarineSanctuaryintheGulfofMexico.OfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesstaffalsooffer“DiveintoEducation,”atwo-dayworkshopforK-12educatorstolearnaboutmarinetechnology,oceanography,lifesciences,ecosystemsandothertopics.

FIELD STUDIESFirst-handexperiencesinthewatershedormarineenvironmentprovideteachersandstudentsanopportunitytodirectlyconnectwiththeenvironmentinawaythatcanhavealastingimpact.Theeducationteamconductsawidevarietyoffieldstudiesthatinspireoceanandclimateliteracyandconservationthroughnationalmarinesanctuaries,suchastheOceanforLifeprogramthatbringstogetherstudentsofdiverseculturesandbackgroundstodiscovermarinescience,conservation,andhowtheoceanconnectsusall.AtThun-derBayNationalMarineSanctuary,tallshipeducationprogramsprovidestudentswithopportunitiestoexperiencetheGreatLakesfirsthandandexplorehistoryandarchaeologyaboveandbelowthewater. IntheHawaiianIslands,NOAAresearchshipsbecomefloatingclassroomsforhighschoolstudentstospendadayatseaexperiencingthelifeofamarinescientist,encouragingthemtopur-suescience-relatededucationandcareers.CoralReefClassroom,hostedbyFloridaKeysNationalMarineSanctuary,teachesbasiccoralreefbiologyandconceptsofhabitatinterdependencebyengagingstudentsinactivitiessuchaswaterqualitymonitoring,datacollectionandevaluation.AnotherexampleistheNationalMarineSanctuariesFieldStudiesProgram,inpartnershipwiththeNationalGeographicSociety,whichimmersesstudentsintheoceanthroughsnorkelingandkayaking,emphasizingsenseofplace,conserva-tionandstewardship,andinterconnectednessthroughhands-onactivities.

MULTICULTURALPROGRAMSTheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuarieshasbeenreachingouttomulticulturalaudiencestoprovidethemwiththetoolstoactivelycontributetotheprotectionofourspecialmarineresources.TheMERITO(MulticulturalEducationforResourceIssuesThreateningOceans)programspecificallyreachesouttoSpanish-speakingresidentsinCaliforniatoprovidethetoolstostrengthentheiracademicskillsandconfidence,particularlyintheareaofmarinescienceandoceanconservation.ExpandingfromtheMontereyBayregiontoChannelIslandsNationalMarineSanctuary,theMERITOprogramisreachinglargenumbersofHispaniccommunitymembersthroughprogramsliketheWatershedAcademy,adulteducationclasses,andhands-onfieldwork.Othereducationandoutreachinitiatives,liketheOceanforLifeprogram,aimtoenhancethecontributionoftheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariestobuildandengageaconsciousandculturallyinclusiveconstituencyforoceanprotectionnationwideandinternationally.

HIGH-TECHLEARNINGNationalmarinesanctuariesarelivingclassroomsthatcanbeexploredinpersonthroughfieldstudiesandotherimmersiveprograms,ortheycanbeexperiencedvirtuallythroughonlineresourceslikeinteractivedigitallabsandgames.OceanLiveisonewaywebringthenationalmarinesanctuariesandtheoceanrealmtotheworld.ThismarinescienceportalWebsiteblendsreal-timeinteractivevideofromresearchexpeditions,livevideofeedsfromsanctuaries,andeducationallessonsaboutourmarineenvironment,enablingallAmericanstoexperiencethewonderofourwaterplanet.TheNOAAOceanDataEducationProjectusesrealscientificdatathaten-gagesteachersandstudentstoexploredynamicEarthprocessesandunderstandtheimpactofenvironmentaleventsonaregionalorglobalscale.SanctuaryeducationprogrammingalsoprovidesopportunitiesthatexcitestudentswithmarinetechnologyandmaritimeheritagebyengagingtheminbuildingremotelyoperatedvehicleswithPVCpipeandothermaterials.

Anotherwaytovirtuallyexploreournationalmarinesanctuariesistovisithttp://marinelife.noaa.govtodiscoveranonlinefieldguideprovidingphotos,videoandimportantbiologicalinformationforhundredsofspeciesfromAmerica’sunderwatertreasures.OrpeoplecanvisittheNationalMarineSanctuariesMediaLibrarytofindthousandsofhigh-resolutionphotosandvideosavailabletodownloadandsharewithfriendsandfamilyorforuseinpublications,sciencefairprojectsandmore.High-techlearningdoesn’tstopthere.TheOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuariesproducesthought-provokingvideoswithcompellingimagerytocapturepeople’sattentionandimaginationwithanaimtoinspirebehaviorchange.TheThank-YouOceancampaignisoneexampleofusingfilmtoinspirechangeandaction.ThecampaignhasreachedmillionsinCaliforniawithmessagesthathighlighttheconnectionbetweenhumansandtheoceanandprovidesuggestionsonhowpeoplecanmakeadifferenceasanocean-literatecitizen.

To learn more about how the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries strives to inspire ocean and climate literacy and conserva-tion through national marine sanctuaries, visit http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education.

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