TEACHER TO GET HANDS-ON RESEARCH EXPERIENCE ABOARD NOAA SHIP
What I Did on My Summer Vacation

July 3, 2003 — Students at San Benito High School in Hollister, Calif., may learn about marine science in an exciting new way, through the eyes and perceptions of teacher Amy Brown, who is participating in the NOAA Teacher at Sea program. (Click NOAA image for larger view of NOAA Ship McArthur II at its home port in Seattle, Wash., in May 2003. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.)

Brown, a resident of San Juan Bautista, teaches earth science and biology to sophomores and juniors. She is sailing aboard the NOAA coastal oceanographic research ship McArthur II July 9-24 to help conduct research in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The 224-foot ship engages in measurements of chemical, meteorological and biological sampling for several large scale programs within NOAA.

“I’m looking forward to getting research experience with NOAA and giving my students an inside look at what it’s like to do science at sea,” Brown said.

The enthusiasm for learning generated between teachers and students is the biggest payoff of the NOAA Teacher at Sea program, where teachers from kindergarten through college go aboard NOAA hydrographic, oceanographic and fisheries research vessels to work under the tutelage of scientists and crew. Now in its 13th year, the program has enabled more than 350 teachers to gain first-hand experience in science at sea. Teachers can enrich their classroom curricula with a depth of understanding made possible by living and working side-by-side, day and night, with those who contribute to the world’s body of scientific knowledge.

“The Teacher at Sea program has been extremely successful for several reasons,” said Rear Admiral Evelyn Fields, NOAA Corps, director of NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations, which administers the program. “It addresses the strong desire of teachers to gain ‘real world’ experience to bring back to their classrooms and to update their skills in scientific research. It also provides NOAA with eager and talented volunteers for their field projects. In addition, by giving teachers an up-close view of the fascinating world of marine science, we hope they’ll pass along their enthusiasm to students and spark enough interest to bring NOAA new recruits down the road. It’s a win-win situation.”

Applicants are rated by a review panel on how they intend to incorporate their experiences into their classroom curricula. They must also submit an article for publication or conduct a presentation at an educators’ conference for colleagues.

Successful applicants can choose from research or survey missions on 13 participating ships ranging from one week to several months on the East, West or Gulf coasts. Although the program is free, participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the ship.

Teacher at Sea is administered by NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations. NMAO is responsible for operating, managing and maintaining NOAA’s fleet of research and survey ships and aircraft, and is composed both of civilians and officers of the NOAA Commissioned Corps, the nation’s seventh and smallest uniformed service.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and marine resources. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Teacher at Sea program

NOAA Ship McArthur II

NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations

NOAA Commissioned Corps

Media Contact:
Jeanne Kouhestani, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations, (301) 713-3431 ext. 220