Regional Approaches to Ocean Literacy:Using the Alaska Ocean Observing System
for Education
Regional Approaches to Ocean Literacy:Using the Alaska Ocean Observing System
for Education
Dana Sitzler
Alaska SeaLife Center
Dana Sitzler
Alaska SeaLife Center
Why Ocean Observing Systems?Why Ocean Observing Systems?
Decision Making - tells us what has happened -what is happening and allows us to forecast what could happen - Plan Human Health Mississippi River System Gulf of Mexico - Nutrients, Quality Informed Action
Decision Making - tells us what has happened -what is happening and allows us to forecast what could happen - Plan Human Health Mississippi River System Gulf of Mexico - Nutrients, Quality Informed Action
EducationEducation Helps us tell the story Understanding Action
Behavior change Restoration Developing new policies or practices
Helps us tell the story Understanding Action
Behavior change Restoration Developing new policies or practices
Alaska is ecologically diverse with 3 distinct ocean
regions, 26 eco-regions, and 43,000 miles of coastline
Courtesy John Piatt
Bering Sea
Arctic Ocean
Gulf of Alaska
Pacific Ocean
The Story of IceThe Story of Ice
ArcticLoss of sea ice impacts communities dependent on it as a way of life - Cultural Extinction?
Reduced sea ice is very likely to increase marine transport - Economic Opportunity?
Arctic
The Story of Ice
The Story of IceThe Story of Ice
Bering
Changing sea ice is resulting incoastal erosion - whole communities need to be moved
The Story of IceThe Story of Ice
Gulf of Alaska
Melting glacial ice is increasing the amount of fresh water - What impact will this have on the ecosystem?
Motivated to LearnMotivated to Learn
Describes Real World Issues Science +
Culture Economics Community Planning
Formal and Informal Education
Describes Real World Issues Science +
Culture Economics Community Planning
Formal and Informal Education
Moving Forward….Moving Forward….
AOOS and ASLC partnering to develop education products and services
Survey and Workshop of Formal and Informal Educators
Developed an Education Plan Education Coordinator But We Have a Few Challenges….
AOOS and ASLC partnering to develop education products and services
Survey and Workshop of Formal and Informal Educators
Developed an Education Plan Education Coordinator But We Have a Few Challenges….
Prince William Sound Pilot Project
~300 km
Bering/Aleutian
Gulf of Alaska
Arctic
Aleutians - 4
Southeast - 6
South Central - 30
Seward Peninsula - 3
Interior - 5
Northern Alaska - 4
Outside
Alaska - 2
Alaska Peninsula- 1
Southwest - 2
Educational Background in ScienceEducational Background in Science
Biology
Ecology
Geology
Marine Biology
Forestry
None
OceanographyEntomology
Biology
Ecology
Geology
Marine Biology
Forestry
None
OceanographyEntomology
Informal Educators
Biology
Ecology
None
Geology
Marine Biology
Oceanography
Biochemestry
Zoology
Biology
Ecology
None
Geology
Marine Biology
Oceanography
Biochemestry
Zoology
Formal Educators
Products RequestedProducts Requested
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
Website WorkshopsCDs/DVDs
Kits
Student
NewsletterDisplays
Books
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
Website WorkshopsCDs/DVDs
Kits
Student
NewsletterDisplays
Books
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
Website
Interpretive
ProductsCurriculaInteractiveApplications
Raw Data
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
Website
Interpretive
ProductsCurriculaInteractiveApplications
Raw Data
Informal Educators Formal Educators
Why Ocean Observing Systems?Why Ocean Observing Systems? Decision Making - tell us what has happened and allow us
to forecast what can happen - plan Human Health Mississippi River System Gulf of Mexico - nutrients, quality Informed Action
Concrete way to understand the story Alaska has unique stories to share about ocean changes as
they relate to human and natural systems
Decision Making - tell us what has happened and allow us to forecast what can happen - plan Human Health Mississippi River System Gulf of Mexico - nutrients, quality Informed Action
Concrete way to understand the story Alaska has unique stories to share about ocean changes as
they relate to human and natural systems