regional approaches to ocean literacy: using the alaska ocean observing system for education dana...

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