Objectives

Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Discovery Hall Programs (DHP), the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory’s Marine Education Center (MEC) and Mobile County Public School System’s Environmental Studies Center (ESC) will work to increase environmental literacy among P-12 students and members of the public. Specifically, DHP, MEC and ESC will collaborate:

1. To provide onsite field experiences which result in increased environmental knowledge to 50,000 P-12 students at DHP, MEC and ESC during 2018-2022.
2. To provide demonstrably successful professional learning opportunities for 1000 teachers at the 3 Centers during 2018-2022.
3. To reach 40,000 P-12 students through educational visits to schools during 2018-2022.
4. To engage 2000 P-12 students and 400 P-12 educators in student events (Hurricane Bowl, NGC ROV competition, science fairs) during 2018-2022. 
5. To provide onsite and offsite environmental education to 20,000 P-12 students from underserved and underrepresented populations during 2018-2022. 
6. To reach 300,000 members of the public by participating in 400 outreach events during 2018-2022.

Additionally, DHP, MEC and ESC will increase awareness of and provide work opportunities in STEM fields to promote workforce development. Specifically, the three centers will collaborate:

1. To provide 48 work opportunities for students at the three Centers during 2018-2022.

Methodology

The three environmental education centers (DHP, MEC and ESC) will use a variety of approaches to increase environmental literacy. Onsite field experiences tied to state learning standards and Ocean and Climate Literacy Principles will be used to educate P-12 students including those from underserved and underrepresented populations (UUP) on issues reflected in MASGC’s focus areas (HCE, SFA, and RCE). Pre- and post-testing of a subsample of students participating in these programs as well as (visiting) educator evaluations will assess program success. Offsite educational programs (BayMobile, ACCESS, Marine Biologist in the Classroom, Starlab, Raptor Road Show) will reach additional P-12 students, particularly those from UUP with content and hands-on activities. 

Professional learning opportunities (workshops, field experiences) will be used to increase educators’ understanding of issues affecting the ocean, coastal areas and the Gulf of Mexico. Workshops will follow best practices by including content delivery, field experiences, hands-on activities suitable for the classroom and opportunities for sharing with fellow educators. Research personnel, particularly those supported with Sea Grant funds, will participate providing content expertise when appropriate. Success of these opportunities will be assessed through pre- and post-testing and attitudinal evaluations as well as approval by CEU and graduate credit granting organizations. 

Informal education outreach programs (lectures, informal presentations) and self-directed learning through visits to aquariums and our centers will engage members of the public. Additionally, exhibitry and participation in environmental themed and regional festivals by MASGC-supported educators will also reach the public with information on the Gulf of Mexico and environmental issues.

DHP, MEC and ESC will promote workforce development by providing work experiences through internships and volunteer opportunities for high school and secondary education students. Additionally, MASGC-supported educators will participate in events (science fairs, ROV competition and NOSB) and career days at P-12 schools that promote career awareness in STEM fields.

Rationale

Environmental literacy is a critical requirement for creating more resilient communities and a more sustainable future. According to NOAA, an environmentally literate person is someone who has a fundamental understanding of the systems of the natural world, the relationships between the living and non-living environments and the ability to understand and utilize scientific evidence to make informed decisions regarding environmental issues. Environmental education experiences have been shown to increase environmental literacy. However, formal education in the US does not typically allow for these experiences. By providing P-12 students, educators and the public opportunities for environmental education, MASGC increases environmental literacy and contributes to the National Sea Grant mission of responsible use of the nation’s ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources through informed personal, policy and management decisions. 

Concern about America’s competitiveness and global role lead to the passage of the America COMPETES Act, legislation that called for significant investment in US science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. An increased number of work opportunities in STEM fields could increase the number of individuals entering the workforce and address NOAA’s immediate need for a well-trained workforce. However, it is increasingly apparent that successful work opportunities involve hands-on training in real-world situations. By providing paid and volunteer work opportunities, MASGC contributes to addressing the problem of America’s competitiveness.