2010 Annual Report - Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

lEttER from the diRECtoR
T
he past year brought many challenges to BIOS, but
also many accomplishments. BIOS remains strong,
and continues to be an extraordinary global scientific and
educational institution, despite the difficult economic
times. The business of BIOS is doing well – grant success
is high, scientific publications are on the rise, and education
programs are well subscribed. Our focus in 2010 was
to increase funding to the endowment, and we have made
significant strides on that front. We also focused on major
facility issues, however much of this will have to be tempered,
factoring in economic challenges.
We at BIOS have an unwavering commitment to educating
Bermudian youth about marine science and the
local environment. The institution also continues to be
a training centre on an international scale. It was another
outstanding year for BIOS education, with POGO and
the local education programs proving to be particularly
successful.
The Waterstart season was fully subscribed again this year,
and approximately 2000 local students attended the BIOS
Explorer program. In fact, due to its popularity, an additional
day was added to the schedule to accommodate all
requested visits. Efforts are being made to expand the program
to allow the participation of a greater number of students.
A growing number of older teenaged students are
looking for a “next step”, thus, the Bermuda Program is
also being expanded in 2010 in order to provide additional
experiences for local students, doubling in size from four
scholarships to eight. The new extended program therefore
provides opportunities for students who have graduated
from high school but are still in the early stages of
their undergraduate career.
EDucATIOn HIGHLIGHTS
The coopers Island restoration work has been given an
indirect boost through HSBc’s involvement. The bank
has sponsored the removal of derelict buildings and invasive
trees from the park, which will enable greater access
for our student groups to continue their work
planting native trees.
Woodland restoration work continues as a means of providing
hands-on experience with ecological issues and the
local oceanic island curriculum. Several local classes are
scheduled to assist at coopers Island nature Reserve, and
other informal education groups (Operation Raleigh,
BHS Duke of Edinburgh group) are assisting at Ferry
Point Park.
coral lectures and snorkel lessons continue in association
with the Bermuda Sloop Foundation aboard the Spirit of
Bermuda. We contribute a day’s aquatic programming
each week to assist the local middle school groups while
they are aboard. This reaches all public middle school students
and seems both a valuable educational avenue as well
as good publicity for BIOS.
In connection with educators from the R/V Sea Dragon /
Pangaea Expedition, we have arranged field trips for local
students to investigate the problem of plastic trash in the
Sargasso Sea.
It was another impressive year for the POGO centre of
Excellence and we have been given the go-ahead for another
year. The current POGOnians were selected from
an applicant pool of 111 from thirty-eight countries, showing
just how competitive and selective the program has be-
pg 4 Bermuda institute of ocean Sciences Annual Report 2010