Tina Miller-Way
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
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Status: Past
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Project Date Range: 02-01-2022 to 01-31-2025
Keywords: STEM, P-12, virtual learning
Objectives
To increase environmental literacy of educators and P-12 students by developing and delivering an array of virtual programs for P-12 students highlighting specific coastal organisms and habitats environmental issues and STEM fields. Programs will directly or through follow up efforts include student activities. Educators will adopt best practice for online informal instruction that have been shared throughout the pandemic. Short duration virtual learning opportunities for educators will also be developed and offered targeting very specific marine topics and issues.
Methodology
Although it appears that most formal education will be back to more normal operations in the fall of 2021 we anticipate lasting effects on onsite participation in field-based classes. For this reason all 3 centers will continue to offer virtual programming as a part of their efforts in the next omnibus cycle. Virtual programming conducted zoom gmeets or other platforms used by school districts will address the needs of both P-12 students and educators. Virtual classes will highlight specific coastal organisms and habitats address STEM fields and include activities for students. Virtual workshops will target specific marine topics and issues integrating information expertise from researchers resources and student-focused activities. Audience sizes will be kept small to ensure high quality experiences and opportunities for direct exchange between the educator(s) and the audience. These programs will be aligned with principles and fundamental concepts in the draft Gulf of Mexico Literacy Principles.
Rationale
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted environmental education learning opportunities for P-12 students and teachers across the nation and in the MASGC region. Education programming at the 3 learning facilities was effectively suspended for a significant period of time. Over time centers adapted and developed a variety of virtual programs including classes short duration informal ‘explorations’ summer camps and workshops for professional learning. All of these efforts addressed environmental and ocean literacy focusing on fisheries marine and coastal organisms ecology and STEM fields including marine technology. Creating effective virtual experiences is unlike in-person instruction. During the pandemic MASGC developed and improved their skills at delivering these programs learning new technology tools (ex. jamboard padlet mentimeter) that result in greater interactivity and increase engagement with a virtual audience.