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Capitol Hill Oceans Week

Wonders of the Ocean World:

Creating an Ocean Literate Society

June 10, 2004

Richard D. WestRear Admiral, USN (Ret.)

PresidentConsortium for Oceanographic

Research and Education

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• Establish a National Ocean Council

• Strengthen NOAA

• Promote Ocean Education

• Double Ocean Research

• Implement IOOS

• Voluntary Regional Councils

Governor’s Draft 20 April 2004Comment period closed 4 June

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Enhance Ocean EducationImprove decision makers understanding

of the ocean.Cultivate a broad public stewardship

ethic.Prepare a new generation of leaders on

ocean issues.

Ocean Commission Recommends:

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Improve Decision Makers Understanding of the Ocean

Establish a National Ocean Education Office

• Coordinate federal ocean education efforts

• Integrate federal agency programs

• Coordinate with K-12, university, and informal education partners

• Develop comprehensive ocean education plans

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Cultivate a Public Stewardship Ethic

• Understand the importance of the oceans to everyday life

• Understand how individual actions impact the marine environment

• Understand the benefits derived from well-managed ocean resources

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Prepare Next Generation of Ocean Leaders

• Incorporating oceans into K-12 education

• Using ocean-based examples to meet education standards

• Drawing students into the field

• Expanding graduate educational opportunities

• Bridging the gap between scientists and educators

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Bridging the Gap Between Scientists & Educators

•COSEE Network of 7 Centers

Mid-Atlantic; Florida; Northeast; Gulf Coast; California (2); Southeast; Central Coordinating Office (CORE)

Commission Recommends:•Tripling number of COSEE Centers to 21

•Expanding the reach of the Centers

•Implementing professional development programs

•Tapping expertise of university science education specialists

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National Ocean Sciences Bowl

• Multi-agency effort coordinated by CORE• 7th year, 24 sites, 400 high schools, 2200

students • Format that places more emphasis on critical

thinking skills• Resources for students including web chats for

teams• correlation of NOSB to NSES and

Benchmarks• Mentoring and follow-on programs including

scholarships and internships

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University-based research, education, and outreach in coastal and Great Lakes states

Conducts sound science for sound policy

Conveys scientific results to all users, from local fishermen on the docks to decision makers at the local, state and federal levels in forms that can be readily understood by users

Develops pre-college curricula, trains K-12 teachers in the marine sciences, provides fellowship opportunities for policy study in Washington, D.C. and for work with industry, and supports for graduate research assistants

National Sea Grant College Program

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Enhance Ocean EducationImprove decision makers understanding

of the ocean.Cultivate a broad public stewardship

ethic.Prepare a new generation of leaders on

ocean issues.

Ocean Commission Recommends:

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The Consortium for The Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Oceanographic Research and

EducationEducation