U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy - Joint Ocean Commission Initiative

• expanding the reach of each center beyond its immediate participants.• identifying models for successful partnerships between scientists and K–12 teachers.• devising strategies to incorporate the expertise of university science education specialists.• implementing professional development programs for K–12 teachers and universityresearch professors.Recommendation 8–6The National Sea Grant College Program should increase the proportion of its resources dedicatedto ocean and coastal education.Recommendation 8–7Ocean.ED, working with state and local education authorities and the research community,should coordinate the development and adoption of ocean-related materials and examplesthat meet existing education standards.Specifically, Ocean.ED should:• assess existing ocean-based curricula offerings, highlighting exemplary materials that arealigned with national standards.• promote the creation of companion materials to the National Science Education Standardsthat are based on ocean data and research findings (including social and economic fields).• disseminate ocean-based examples and assessment questions that link to the conceptstandards in physical and life sciences, geography, history, and other topics and thatdemonstrate the value of oceans in teaching fundamental concepts.• promote the development of case studies that stress the interconnected nature of theocean, land, and atmosphere.Recommendation 8–8Ocean.ED, working with academic institutions and local school districts, should help establishmore effective relationships between the research and education communities to expandprofessional development opportunities for teachers and teacher educators.Specifically, Ocean.ED should:• provide supplemental grants and other rewards to scientists who partner with teachersand teacher educators to include educational components in their research projects.• establish a grants program for development and implementation of an enhanced corecurriculum in science content that incorporates ocean concepts for pre-service teachers.Applicants should be required to demonstrate collaborations and partnerships amongeducation, science, mathematics, and engineering faculty.Recommendation 8–9Ocean.ED should promote partnerships among government agencies, school districts, institutionsof higher learning, aquariums, science centers, museums, and private marine laboratoriesto develop more opportunities for students to explore the marine environment, boththrough virtual means and hands-on field, laboratory, and at-sea experiences.Ocean.ED should ensure that programs for students:• include a broad range of options, from in-school modules, to accessible after-schoolactivities, daylong field trips, and summer programs.• acknowledge cultural differences and other aspects of human diversity to exposestudents and teachers from all cultures and backgrounds to ocean issues.CHAPTER 31: SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS487