Using ocean observing systems data in K-12 classrooms: proceedings from a workshop exploring the merit and feasibility of developing a National Ocean Observing Systems (NOOS) education product

Ocean engineers and scientists are transforming the way we experience and understand the ocean through the Integrated Ocean Observing Systems (IOOS). For the first time, there will be continuous, sustained, near-real time, multidimensional data available from the oceans, collected both from within the oceans using sensors systems and above using remote sensing methodologies. These data make possible inquiry-driven questions concerning the dynamic nature of the ocean´s physical, biological and chemical characteristics in both time and space. These data provide unique and meaningful access to the ocean for a broad range of users. One major expected user group is K-12 educators and their students, who will be able to explore and utilize data and information from coastal observing systems in real time from the classroom. The National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence-Mid Atlantic or COSEE-MA, is focused on coastal observing systems and the development of products and services that bring real time data to a broad range of user groups. COSEE-MA currently partners with a broad range of stakeholders to explore the development of lesson plans and resources that use observing data in meaningful ways that promote science inquiry in the classroom. In this session, we will discuss the results of a July 2005 workshop sponsored by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA), the Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence-Mid Atlantic (COSEE-MA), and Ocean.US to explore the merit and feasibility of developing a national ocean observing systems (NOOS) education product.