 Our ocean science course curriculum features hands-on activities, including this seagrass experiment. |
COSEE Coastal Trends is partnering with scientists, educators, and school districts to develop and implement curriculum for a high school level ocean science course. The curriculum, titled "Introduction to Our Dynamic Ocean," is based on the Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and stresses active learning through hands-on activities.
From 2008-2009, a team of teachers and scientists developed an outline of key concepts to be covered in the curriculum and matched each concept with newly created or existing high quality hands-on activities, including COSEE Coastal Trends Education Modules and select lessons from NOAA's Ocean Explorer program.  The ocean science course also includes web-based activities which access real-time data. |
During the 2008-2009 school years, several teachers as well as an entire Maryland school district implemented the course curriculum. In July 2009, we hosted a teacher workshop focusing on implementing the curriculum in other schools. Many of these teachers are now field-testing all or part of the curriculum as well. We will continue to improve the curriculum as we receive teacher feedback, and by 2011 we will add the curriculum to our website.
This partnership between school districts, and COSEE Coastal Trends will serve as a national model for integrating ocean science into the classroom.
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