Promoting Ocean Literacy Through
Formal-Informal Education Partnerships
Laura Dover, Graduate Research Assistant,
COSEE Pacific Partnerships, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
Informal science education institutions are primary sources of learning for the public about ocean sciences in the USA, but they can
also assist formal education programs in increasing national ocean literacy.
PRIME
CMNP
OCAMP
Promoting Research Investigation in the Marine
Environment (PRIME) is a summer internship
program for formal community college students
interested in developing research and outreach skills
through hands-on experience working with marine
scientists, practitioners, and marine informal
educators. Both Science Experience and Science
Communication and Outreach internships are offered
through the program.
COSEE-PP is developing the Oregon Coast Master
Naturalist Program (CMNP). The mission of the
program is to develop a statewide corps of
knowledgeable, skilled and dedicated volunteers who
enrich their communities and enhance public
awareness of Oregon's natural resources through
conservation education, scientific inquiry and
stewardship activities. The program integrates training
and communication strategies from informal science
institutions, research scientists, marine educators and
teacher professional development programs.
The Oregon Coast Aquatic & Marine Science
Partnership (OCAMP) is a collaboration between rural
schools and informal science educators, scientists and
science education faculty at several academic, nonprofit and government science institutions. Its vision is
improving science achievement and student learning
experiences through a focus on developing,
implementing, and evaluating teacher professional
development in the aquatic and marine science
context.
COSEE-PP Partnerships
OSU Partnerships
COS & COSIA
PRIME 2009 Interns Meet at Oregon Coast Aquarium
Professional Development for
Community College Faculty
Each year COSEE PP provides
professional development opportunities
and curriculum support for formal
community college instructors. Sessions
help integrate real ocean research, current
discoveries, and ocean literacy into their
courses, no matter what their subject
area. Local scientists and marine science
institutions help facilitate inquiry-based
sessions at coastal locations.
Organizational Partnership
College Faculty Gain Field Experience on an
Oregon Rocky Shore
Two innovative college courses, developed by
COSEE California, introduce undergraduates &
graduate students in ocean science related majors
to inquiry-based instructional strategies that,
combined with students' content knowledge and
enthusiasm for sharing it, equip them to
communicate their passion for their subject.
Communicating Ocean Science (COS) prepares
future scientists to introduce ocean science to
younger audiences in schools; Communicating
Ocean Science to Informal Audiences (COSIA)
prepares them to introduce concepts to the public
in aquarium and science center settings.
OCAMP Teachers Visit a Research Vessel in Newport, Oregon
The SMILE Program Ocean Sciences Challenge
The Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences
(SMILE) Program at OSU promotes ocean science learning by
engaging their after school club students in an annual team
challenge event. The challenge connects students with the
university environment and provides enrichment activities in a
problem‐based scenario focused on ocean science. SMILE
uses the expertise of marine specialists, informal educators
and OSU faculty and students to expand on learning
opportunities, increase ocean literacy and awareness, and
spark interest in marine careers.
What is Ocean Literacy?
An understanding of the ocean’s influence on
you and your influence on the ocean
COSEE Pacific Partnerships is funded by NSF Grant Number OCE-0731338
For more information please contact Laura Dover doverl@onid.orst.edu