Nava
Sutton and Lakisha Mundon, sponsored by ECSU, attended a workshop
from July 28 to July 1 at the University of New Hampshire. The
workshop was sponsored by UNH's Center for Coastal Ocean
Observation and Analysis (COOA)
and the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System
(GoMOOS) and entitled Linking
the Ocean to the Classroom. This workshop explored
technology and methods used to study microscopic plants known
as phytoplankton a fundamental component to marine food web.
These organisms barely seen with the naked eye are important
to global climate, the marine food web and much more. Utilizing
light, carbon dioxide, and nutrients, these organisms dictate
such significant marine cycles as the feeding habits of million
dollar fisheries to the diet of endangered migrating whales.
These four days brought together educators and scientists to
discuss, plan and generate new ways of incorporating ocean observation
data using an inquiry based model while still meeting the state
or national standards needed for school districts.
