More than 5,000 educators have been reached through COSEE GL. Evaluations indicate that teachers involved in COSEE GL programs and workshops have learned new information about the Great Lakes. Teachers are incorporating lessons from "The Greatest of the Great Lakes" curriculum compendium into their classrooms. There have been connections made between researchers and educators, which allow teachers to share cutting-edge science with their students.
impact statement issue
There was a need to enhance teacher capabilities for accessing science information and delivering high-quality educational programs in Great Lakes and ocean sciences. It is important to integrate ocean and Great Lakes research into existing high-quality science education materials. COSEE GL wanted to make current research findings about the Great Lakes available to the public to encourage public science literacy and appreciation of our water resources. New York and the other Great Lakes states will be dependent upon stakeholders to make judgements and take actions to protect the environment. Through this project we are trying to develop a scientifically-aware citizenry in order to protect the future of the Great Lakes.
impact statement response
Seven week-long programs have been conducted, including two courses for teachers aboard the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Lake Guardian, four tropical marine ecology courses in Roatan, Honduras,, and Curacao, and three week-long Great Lakes online workshops for teachers from around the country. Twelve day-long "Teachable Moment" teachers' workshops have been offered to New York teachers on topics like invasive species and global warming. A curriculum compendium, "The Greatest of the Great Lakes," a compilation of 41 exemplary activities on CD-ROM was produced and matched to New York State Science Standards. Four "State of the Lakes" meetings have been held, bringing 1,000 stakeholders together with researchers to learn about the health status of Lake Erie. To encourage researchers to work with teachers and stakeholders, two three-hour symposia were organized by COSEE GL as our "School for Scientists" as part of the The International Association for Great Lakes Research conferences. Researchers learned ideas and examples of how to communicate science to the public and to students, engage underrepresented groups, develop plans for broader impacts, and prepare for a school visit. I have also made invited presentations on COSEE GL at a number of international, national, and regional conferences and meetings relating to NY Sea Grant education programs and Great Lakes topics.
impact statement summary
The mission of the Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence – Great Lakes (COSEE GL) is to foster lasting relationships through networks that link Great Lakes educators with ongoing science research in the region and with connections of that science to marine equivalents. It is primarily a program for marine and Great Lakes education and public outreach.
