Introduction

The world’s ocean affects human life in many ways. It regulates the earth’s climate, affects weather, and provides food. It is source for recreation, inspiration, and exploration. Students' fascination with the ocean -- coupled with the multidisciplinary nature of ocean sciences -- provides a superb platform for teaching general science using inquiry-based methods.

The COSEE summer workshop "Teaching Science by Ocean Inquiry" was developed to A) introduce teachers to ocean and climate related processes that can be used as a vehicle to teach general physical concepts (e.g. density, buoyancy, pressure, heat and temperature, waves) through a variety of hands-on activities, and B) establish a network between teachers, scientists and experts in education. This five-day workshop is presented by the University of Maine (UMaine) School of Marine Sciences and COSEE-OS, with support from the College of Education & Human Development National Science Foundation.

This workshop is intended for high school and middle school teachers who teach physics, chemistry, physical science, and/or earth sciences. During the workshop teachers review physical concepts through hands-on exploration, examine links between physical concepts and ocean processes, and develop inquiry-based activities for teaching sciences. Attendees work directly with UMaine faculty to develop hands-on, inquiry-based activities, teaching materials, and means of assessment (to address the Maine Learning Results and National Science Educational Standards) via lab exercises and classroom discussions.

Based at the Darling Marine Center (DMC) in Walpole, Maine, the annual summer workshop will be held in July 2008. The DMC is located on the Damariscotta River estuary and consists of state-of-the-art educational, research, and conference facilities, seawater laboratories and classrooms, research vessels, a marine library, dining hall, and housing facilities.