2007 (PDF) - Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science ...

Outreach
Promoting accurate, meaningful scientific information to local
communities is an integral part of our mission. Throughout the
year Rosenstiel School scientists, staff and students participate in
a variety of events designed to help inform and involve people in
protecting the planet.
Sharing New Perspectives
Year-round the Rosenstiel
School hosts lectures, and events
designed to share new perspectives
on contemporary scientific
issues. In 2007, acclaimed author
Dallas Murphy, Jr. visited our
campus to discuss his book To
Follow The Water, an in-depth recounting
of the roots of modern
oceanography from Benjamin
Franklin to the latest theories on
climate change. Murphy made
sure to recognize the School’s
talented faculty as well as NOAA
researchers with whom he collaborated
when writing the book.
The School also hosted a panel on a topic of international importance:
the trafficking of animals, animal parts and plants. Miami
serves as an entry point
into the United States for
many of these products,
and the Rosenstiel School
worked with U.S. Customs
and Border Protection
officials to inform
South Floridians about his
Dr. Robert Cowen provides a tour of the R/V
F. G. Walton Smith to Special Envoy Bo Derek
during her visit to the school. Photo credit:
Angel Li
Author Dallas Murphy (center) with
students Ryan Adams and Johnny Wiborg
from St. Thomas Aquinas High
School who drove down from Fort
Lauderdale for the lecture. Photo
Credit: Barbra Gonzalez
issue. Moderated by Dr.
Larry Peterson, associate
dean of graduate studies,
the panel included Special
Envoy of the Secretary of State for Wildlife Trafficking Issues,
Bo Derek; U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary for Oceans
and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Claudia
McMurray; Sharkwater director, Rob Stewart; Rosenstiel coral reef
scientist, Dr. Andrew Baker; and Rosenstiel graduate student and
founder of the South Florida Student Shark Program, Neil Hammerschlag.
Working with the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament,
the Rosenstiel School also hosted a public program to promote
marine conservation. The evening featured interactive exhibits
by organizations dedicated to preserving marine wildlife in South
Florida, and Captain Frank “Skip” Smith, Chairman of The Billfish
Foundation’s Captains’ Advisory Board discussed efforts to assist in
refining and clarifying circle hook regulations.
The popular Sea Secrets lecture series continues to provide timely
scientific highlights from prominent marine and atmospheric
scientists on topics like undersea volcanoes and submersibles,
octopi, and spelunking. Founded by Dr. Robert Ginsburg, the
series is sponsored through The
Lawrence J. and Florence A. De
George Charitable Trust, and the
Charles N. and Eleanor Knight
Leigh Foundation. The 2007
lectures concluded with a dazzling
undersea photographic journey led
by photographer Myron Wang,
who shared his personal collection
of images captured over more than
40 years of international diving.
The winners of the Rosenstiel
School’s 3rd Annual Underwater
Photo Contest were announced at 2007 Underwater Photo Contest
the conclusion of the final Sea Secrets Overall Winner. Photo Credit:
program. The competition attracted Peter Weir, Georgetown, Cayman
Islands, BWI
more than 250 stunning images from
a diverse array of amateur photographers in 14 countries.
Tomorrow’s Science Scholars
Eighteen teams from high schools throughout
eastern Florida converged on MAST Academy
for the 10th anniversary of the National Ocean
Sciences Bowl (NOSB®). Hosted in collaboration
with the Rosenstiel School, the NOSB® is designed
to generate interest and excitement about science
and the oceans, giving teenagers a chance to get in-depth information
about potential careers in marine science. Students from Eau
Gallie High School emerged as the 2007 winners, moving on to
compete at the national competition in Stony Brook, N.Y.
More than 60 sixth and seventh grade girls from Miami-Dade
Student in the laboratory playing a billfish
larvae matching game ,(left) while outside
on the Rosenstiel dock a student is comparing
the pH of different liquids against a pH
indicator stick with Rosenstiel graduate
student Carolyn Margolin on ‘Exploring
Marine Science Day.’ Photo Credit: Barbra
Gonzalez
County visited the Rosenstiel School to attend the annual “Exploring
Marine Science Day.” Held in collaboration with the American
Association of University Women, the event featured female faculty
members and graduate students, who gave hands-on presentations,
and provided inspiration to the budding scientists. A similar
program with Fairchild Tropical Garden, called Environmental
Immersion Day, awarded scholarships for local students to visit
the Rosenstiel campus and other environmental sites for a day of
comprehensive learning about careers in research.
Students were not the only ones learning about ocean sciences from
Rosenstiel School faculty – the School also offered Atmospheric
and Marine-Based Interdisciplinary Environmental Health Training
(AMBIENT) and Project INSTAR (Investigating Nature Through
Science Teacher Active Research) for teachers. Funded through the
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, AMBIENT
provided an interactive workshop for 37 Miami-Dade County
teachers, which emphasized team teaching strategies for large classes
(more than 35 students.) Research scientists from the University of
Miami, Florida International University, and County Department
of Health helped to facilitate the training.
Project INSTAR, funded through the National Science Foundation
and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, aims to bridge the gap
between scientific research and K-12 education by enhancing the
knowledge, skills, and field study experience of teachers. Participants
select one of four theme areas: earth systems science, marine
animals, tropical meteorology, or coral reefs.
The 2007 graduating class of INSTAR teachers celebrates the program’s 10th
anniversary. Photo credit: Oana Ioncel
Ongoing IMPACT
Picture Perfect
Winners of the 2007 Underwater Photo Contest (L-R) 1st Place Portrait Category- Mauro Ristorto, Caracas,
Venezuela; 1st Place Macro Category - Patrick Weir, Cayman Islands, BWI; 1st Place Wide Angle
Category - Alex Tattersall, Charmister, Dorset, United Kingdom; and Ist Place Student Entry Category-
Evan D’Alessandro, UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
The Integrated Marine Program and College Training (IMPACT) Project, established in 1999
by the Miami Science Museum, in cooperation with the Rosenstiel School was awarded a fouryear
continuation grant by the U.S. Department of Education. The program has mentored 252
students since its inception, and helps local students prepare for postsecondary study with an
emphasis on math, science and technology.
The Museum, in partnership with the Rosenstiel School and Miami-Dade County Public Schools,
hosts a six-week summer marine program. Classroom lectures and computer-based training are
held at the Rosenstiel School. Each week, a marine science professor or graduate student shares
their research with the group. To-date, 100 percent of the students remaining active throughout
the 4-year program have graduated high school, with more than 95 percent of those students
going on to enroll in postsecondary education. Two students have even gone on to win highly
competitive Dell Scholarships.
IMPACT students sort samples collected during
a cruise in Biscayne Bay with the South
Florida Student Shark Program. Photo
credit: Miami Science Museum
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