From the field to the classroom: Communicating your research to students nationwide
Liz Foote
Project S.E.A.-LINK, 3740 Lower Honoapiilani Hwy. #D206, Lahaina, HI 96761.
Most scientists recognize the importance of effective communication. However, this communication usually focuses on and remains within the scientific community. Scientists conducting marine research now have a wonderful opportunity to share their work with K-12 students nationwide. Project S.E.A.-LINK, a nonprofit organization, has designed an educational website that profiles professionals in the fields of marine research, education, and conservation. From these profiles, students learn about careers related to the marine environment, and can write in questions to be answered on the site. Based on these profiles, Project S.E.A.-LINK develops curricular materials which teachers are able to download for use in their classrooms. Other unique features of the site are the "Online Mentoring Program," where students with particular interests are matched with an appropriate professional "pen-pal," and the "Classroom Connection," where professionals can interact with teachers and students from science classrooms nationwide. Through this effort, students learn of exciting career opportunities in marine science, while being exposed to the human side of science and the nature of science itself, and teachers are able to incorporate hands-on activities based on current marine science investigations into their curriculum. Project S.E.A.-LINK is committed to the reform in science education and its emphasis on inquiry-based learning, and all materials are developed according to national science education standards.
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