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| Teacher at Sea Program | |
|---|---|
| Name | Teacher at Sea Program |
| Type | Professional development |
| Established | 1989 |
| Region | United States, international |
| Administered by | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
Teacher at Sea Program
The Teacher at Sea Program places K–12 and informal educators aboard scientific research vessels to experience oceanography, marine biology, and fisheries research firsthand aboard ships operated by agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, collaborating institutions like the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Teachers engage with scientists from organizations including the Smithsonian Institution, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and the University of Washington to bring expedition experiences back to classrooms in cities such as Seattle, Miami, and Boston.
The program embeds educators on voyages conducted by fleets including the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow, NOAA Ship Pisces, and research platforms associated with the R/V Atlantis, the R/V Knorr, and the R/V Nautilus to observe methods used by teams from the NOAA Fisheries Services, the National Marine Sanctuaries, and academic centers like Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Participants work alongside personnel from the United States Coast Guard, the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, and multinational projects such as the Global Ocean Observing System and Census of Marine Life.
Initiated in 1989, administrators drew inspiration from earlier field-based programs linked to institutions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and lessons from international exchanges involving the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Oceanographic Commission. Early voyages partnered with research stations such as the Friday Harbor Laboratories, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. The program evolved alongside milestones like the establishment of the National Sea Grant College Program, collaborations with the National Science Foundation, and technological advances seen aboard ships such as the RRS Discovery and the RV Polarstern.
Selection processes reference criteria used by agencies including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Teachers Association, and state-level departments such as the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the California Department of Education. Eligible applicants commonly come from districts represented by institutions like New York City Department of Education and Los Angeles Unified School District, or informal settings such as museums like the American Museum of Natural History and aquariums like the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Typical deployments range from coastal surveys alongside the Pacific Fishery Management Council to deep-sea expeditions partnered with the Ocean Exploration Trust and international collaborators such as the Geological Survey of Japan.
Programs emphasize standards-aligned lesson development referencing frameworks by the Next Generation Science Standards and materials from the National Science Foundation, integrating content from work performed by teams at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the Smithsonian Institution. Teachers translate field techniques—such as trawling protocols used by NOAA Fisheries Services and CTD casts practiced on the R/V Atlantis—into classroom modules suitable for students in districts like Chicago Public Schools and Houston Independent School District. Pedagogical outcomes align with professional development models endorsed by the National Science Teachers Association and curricula developed in partnership with universities including University of California, San Diego and University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Vessels hosting educators include federal and academic ships such as the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown, the R/V Endurance (USCGC Glacier), and university-operated craft like the R/V Falkor and R/V Pelagia. Expeditions span projects such as the Atlantic Meridional Transect, the Gulf of Mexico Marine Research Program, and deep-sea initiatives tied to the Challenger Expedition legacy and modern programs like the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer missions. Collaborations often involve institutions such as the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.
Alumni have produced curricular units used in districts including Boston Public Schools and San Francisco Unified School District and contributed to citizen science projects like the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team and the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network. Former participants have published articles in outlets associated with the National Science Teachers Association and partnered with universities such as University of Miami and Oregon State University to mentor future educators. Program-associated data has supported studies affiliated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Critiques mirror concerns raised in reports by organizations like the Government Accountability Office and discussions within forums of the National Science Teachers Association regarding equity of access for teachers in large districts such as New York City Department of Education and rural systems served by institutions like Alaska Native Science Commission. Logistical challenges include coordinating with agencies such as the United States Coast Guard and international partners like the International Oceanographic Commission, ensuring compliance with safety standards used on vessels including the R/V Knorr and addressing resource constraints noted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Category:Professional development programs Category:Science education Category:Marine science