[SEMCO] On-the-water Outreach Opportunity

[Robert Reynolds]

I would like to introduce our Maine Science Literacy and Education Program, a one day field trip to Woods Hole for school classes. So far this year we have taken out over 750 students.
Our program consists of a hands-on research "cruise" in which we deploy an otter trawl, scallop dredge and plankton net in Vineyard Sound. We collect marine specimens and discuss their habitat and their importance in medical research at he Woods Hole Labs. We also deploy and recover an acoustically actuated oceanographic mooring, which leads us to a discussion of engineering, technology, and physical oceanographic topics such as ocean circulation, acidification and climate change. The ultimate goal of the program is to increase students' awareness and literacy in marine science and illustrate how many different skills are required in "doing" marine science. Included is a tour one of the Labs (WHOI dock, MBL's Marine Resources Center or the NOAA aquarium).  Our partnerships with WHOI and MBL allow us to highlight and discuss current research projects there.

The cost of the program is $400 (up to 20 students). We can accommodate more students for a slightly higher cost.

Our student evaluation feedback results are as follows:

99% said they enjoyed the boat trip and thought it was educational.                          
91% said they were going home to tell their parent/guardian/friends about their experience.                                                                                                                    95% said they gained a better understanding of the importance of the work conducted by oceanographers and marine biologists.                                                                    
84% said this was one of their best field trips ever.                                                       
73% said their experience made them more interested in becoming involved in science in school, as an intern, and/or as a job.                                                                        
87% said they would like to learn more about the science and technology they saw in Woods Hole.                                                                                                                                                    86% said they were surprised by the variety of different occupations and activities in the scientific community in Woods Hole.          

Thank you for your interest,

Rob Reynolds
Zephyr Education Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization per IRS tax code

Please check out our site: www.zephyrmarine.net
Some quotes from student and teacher feedback forms:       


"Amazing, we need more oceanographers!", "It gave me experiences I never had before"                                                                                                "This was the best day of my whole life", "Absolutely Incredible!"                                                                                                                                    "We can see science if we only open our eyes”, "My students keep telling me it was the best field trip they ever had"                                                       "There must be no better place to be", "I was unaware of how marine biology research impacts fields outside biology", "I loved it, It seemed like a great place I would like to be a part of someday", "Its a great place for students to learn how exciting biology can be", "It was our best field trip ever, can we do it again next year?"
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