Classroom (Aquarium) Implementation Strategy
Dominique Richardson—PolarTREC Teacher 2014 to 2015
Although I do not have a classroom, I will be implementing several programs within my institution.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium also requires a project proposal based on my PolarTREC experience. This
Implementation Strategy is modified from the project proposal submitted to my institution. This
Implementation Strategy will cover only programs directly supported by Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.
Although many programs outlined below involve both student and public outreach, additional outreach
not directly supported by the Aquarium will be covered in the “Public Outreach Strategy.”
Summary:
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Mini Exhibit featuring Polar Research and Climate Change topics (Sea Level Rise, Warming
Oceans, and Ocean Acidification)
“Ask A Scientist” Activity Sheets
“Fly Your Flag” Art Contest
Public Science Interpretation Activities/Activity Cart
Student Research, mentored in part by PolarTREC Teacher and Reseracher
PolarTREC Journal
Teacher Workshop
Problem Statement:
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a part of several initiatives to communicate climate change and current
climate change science to the public. The Aquatic Nursery’s (a department within the Aquarium)
research programs reach diverse audiences through activities interpreting current scientific research to
students and the public. Effective polar science and climate change communication requires significant
public engagement and education to increase awareness and empowerment. The understanding of the
process of science and how it applies to climate science and polar science is essential in communicating
climate change. This proposed program uses the central lab theme of the Aquatic Nursery, raising young
sea animals and young scientists, to communicate the process of science, issue of climate change and
current polar science research to students and the public—in line with current CMA initiatives.
We intend this program to reach a broad audience of walk-in family groups, public of all ages, teachers
and students. By using staff experience in PolarTREC, we will bring current polar and climate science
research into the Nursery, connecting professional researchers to student researchers, the public and
teachers to promote current studies beyond academic publications. We will communicate the message
of science research, polar science and climate change to different audiences through the use of eyecatching displays, student research projects, digital media and hands-on activities. This program will
engage students in independent studies of the local effects of climate change, encourage teachers to
communicate polar and climate science to in an understandable way, and engage the public in the
process of science in the context of current polar and climate studies, informing and empowering them
on the subject of science, polar research and climate change.
Objectives:
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Interpret climate change and current polar research to visitors, teachers and students using
displays, flyers and digital media.
Engage visitors, of diverse ages and backgrounds, in research by having them participate in the
scientific method through hands-on activities and activity sheets.
Encourage teachers to incorporate science methods and climate science in the classroom by
providing class activities, worksheets and access to digital media.
Connect student researchers directly with current polar and climate science research and
encourage them in their own investigations of local effects of changing climate.
Methods:
1. Create a modifiable display—collaborating with current polar science researchers—
featuring current, professional research, applicable student research by the Nursery’s young
scientists, connections to applicable digital media, and associated worksheets/activity
sheets.
2. Post display, and associated worksheets/activity sheets in the Aquatic Nursery.
3. Send worksheets/activity sheets to teachers, inviting them to participate in activities on
their own schedule.
4. Train young scientists and Nursery volunteers on how to interpret the exhibit when they are
available and how to stock the exhibit for independent use by the public when interpreters
are not available.
5. Engage walk-in guests with hands-on activities and that allow them to participate in the
scientific method by asking questions about current polar and climate science.
6. Assist young scientists in the Nursery in developing and executing their own research
projects based on questions from the display and professional research and use their
projects to contribute to the modifiable display.
7. Using worksheets, direct walk-in guests, young scientists and teachers to digital media to
extend the learning experience beyond the lab/classroom, using recognition and give-away
incentives to encourage participation.
8. Encourage teachers to engage students in polar science and climate change lessons through
worksheets and a workshop.
Evaluation:
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Interpretation of climate change to different audiences will be evaluated by a count of the
number of individuals reached through interaction with hands-on activities and use of digital
media resources.
Engagement of visitors will be evaluated by the use of the display and activities as shown by the
number of participants submitting scientific question worksheets.
Teacher incorporation of science methods and climate science in the classroom will be
evaluated by the use of digital media as shown by the number of participants involved in online
activities and contests.
Connecting student researchers to current science research will be evaluated by the successful
completion of a research project at the end of the research season and quotes and anecdotes
from the student researchers.
Timeline:
June- August 2014:
- Develop modifiable display, activities and worksheets
- Update digital media
September-October 2014:
- Post display for public participation
- Send worksheets to teachers inviting participation from them and their students
- Train young scientists for display interpretation
- Assist young scientist in climate change research project development
November 2014- January 2015
- Public interacts with exhibit and digital media
- Teachers participate in activities and digital media on their own schedule
- Young scientists work on climate change research projects
- Young scientists interpret exhibit and activities for walk-in guests
- Digital media contests run to promote public interaction
February 2015
- Young scientists finish climate change research projects
- Self-selected public and teachers are reminded of upcoming climate science learning
opportunities
March-April 2015
- Staff participates in active climate change research in Antarctica (funded by PolarTREC)
- Young scientists present research projects at YSS
- Selected schools and public are invited to live chat with researchers in the field
- Selected young scientist research, public scientific method questions and student questions are
featured through digital media
May 2015
- Mail out recognition and give-away incentives to participants.
- Professional development for teachers looking to continue climate science research education
with their students