Summer is our favorite time of year at the Marine Education Center. While students are casting lines at Angler Camp or dressing up for Superheroes of the Sea, we are setting the stage for something just as special: our summer workshops for teachers.
We like to think of these as Sea Camp for adults: immersive, field-based, hands-on learning experiences designed to re-energize educators while offering high-quality, science-informed content. And every year, I’m reminded of why we do this.
It’s not just about the science. It’s about giving teachers space to breathe, reconnect with nature and leave feeling inspired and equipped to make a bigger impact on their students.
Learning by doing
Our four-day, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant-supported Changing Coastlines Educator Experience akes teachers of grades 5 and up to Deer Island for a sun-soaked, breeze-filled field experience. We literally wade into the work, collecting elevation data, observing plant and animal life, and learning to teach outside by doing it ourselves.
The setting is informal and collaborative. We make mistakes, learn together and talk honestly about what it takes to bring science outdoors. Back in the classroom, we use the data to compare the island’s features over time and explore how restoration, storms and sea level rise have shaped the landscape. Teachers leave with content they can use and confidence in how to use it.
Resilience, curriculum and student voice
The Resilience in Action workshop is a two-day program for teachers of grades 7 and up in science, civics and social studies. We work with Mississippi State University and Sea Grant extension professionals and NASA resources. It’s anchored in the award-winning Classroom Course in Community Resilience.
During the workshop, teachers work in teams to solve a real-world resilience problem, whether related to sea level rise, hurricanes or other community hazards. The curriculum is adaptable to any region and helps students identify challenges in their own communities, build solutions and present them to professionals in local government and related fields.
After the workshop, teachers are fully equipped to bring the curriculum into their classrooms. We invite them to participate in our Stewardship Summit, where top student teams present at the Marine Education Center and receive one-on-one feedback from professionals. These presentations are often just as inspiring for the adults as they are for the students.
More than just professional development
What sets our workshops apart is the atmosphere. We build in plenty of time for laughter, shared meals, thoughtful conversations,and an optional group dinner out. There’s cool swag, great snacks and a genuine focus on teacher well-being.
We work with each participant to tailor the material to their classroom needs. We focus on how to translate big ideas into meaningful, manageable lessons. And throughout it all, we form real connections with each other and with our shared purpose.
Join us
If you’re a teacher looking for professional development that feels like a breath of fresh air, we’d love you to join us this summer. These workshops offer more than CEUs and stipends. They offer a community of passionate educators and an experience that will stick with you and your students for years to come.
Meet the author
Jessie Kastler, Ph.D.
Director, Marine Education Center
Jessie Kastler leverages Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant funds and grants from other agencies to produce and implement education programs at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research... Read more
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