COOS/IOOS Education Workshop

	DRAFT RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL EDUCATION NETWORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTEGRATED AND SUSTAINED OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM (IOOS) TO IMPROVE OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION Whereas the Congress and the National Ocean Research Leadership Council have made sustained development of an integrated ocean and coastal observing system (IOOS) a high priority; and Whereas the Congress has directed that the IOOS include the development of an "integrated regional system" (i.e., National Federation of Regional Associations) as vital components of a national system; and Whereas the Congressionally established National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) has been directed to establish an effective National Strategy to strengthen science education and communication in the United States through improved knowledge of the ocean and the coasts; and Whereas the NOPP partners have been directed to establish a partnership between federal agencies, academia, industry and the private sector to improve ocean literacy, outreach and science education; and Whereas the NOPP partners have been directed to ensure that effective use of the ocean and coastal data obtained by the IOOS be used to improve ocean literary and strengthen science and technology education; and Whereas a significant number of ocean and aquatic science education networks already exist at the local, state and national level, these networks can add greatly to the goal of a national education network associated with the IOOS; and Whereas it is in the vital interests of the nation that the IOOS infrastructure be viewed as a valuable resource for ocean and coastal science and technology education Therefore, the undersigned Signatories hereby resolve to work together to establish a national education network that will further the national objectives in science and technology education using the IOOS infrastructure and the Earth system themes associated with the ocean, coasts and inland seas. A. PURPOSE Collaborate with Ocean. US to initiate a national education network integral to IOOS. B. SIGNATORY QUALIFICATIONS Workshop participants have extensive knowledge and experience in ocean observatories and science education efforts. Participants were drawn from state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academia. The Signatories to this Resolution are committed to the establishment of a national education network to support the IOOS. C. IMPLEMENTATION The Signatories resolve to: Collaborate to form an education network to further the national objectives in science and technology education using the ocean and IOOS infrastructure as the uniting elements Participate in the development of education recommendations and strategies to be incorporated into the planning of the IOOS Advocate participation of IOOS members in science and technology education D. RESERVATION OF AUTHORITY Nothing herein shall be construe in any way as limiting the authority of individual Signatories in carrying out their respective responsibilities.

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