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Great-American Teach-In Brings Scientists to Schools
Scientists and staff from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Science Center (CCWS) in St. Petersburg, FL, participated in the Great American Teach-In on November 17. Pinellas County area teachers were eager to reserve a scientist to speak to their students after attending the sixth annual open house at CCWS (see Open House Web page and related Sound Waves article "Florida Center Celebrates Earth Science Week and 125 Years of USGS Science"). The Great American Teach-In is a special opportunity for USGS scientists to visit schools and share experiences with a younger generation. John Lisle visited Sutherland Elementary School during the Great American Teach-in. In the kindergarten class, John explained how scientists are cool and travel to interesting places, like Antarctica. He showed lots of pictures of scientists doing research, and of glaciers, seals, penguins, killer whales, and many more unusual animals that live in Antarctica. Naming a few interesting places where scientists work, John told the second-grade class about research in Antarctica, Tampa Bay, Biscayne National Park, and the Florida Keys. He wanted students to know that scientists are not geeks and have great adventures! Another focus the students enjoyed were pictures of the different scientific "tools" used at work. John included photographs of female scientists who work with him to encourage more girls to study science. At Rawlings Elementary School, Marci Marot visited two fifth-grade classes, where she discussed different areas of research conducted by the USGS, including energy resources, natural hazards, mapping, water resources, and biology. Students learned the differences between geologists, oceanographers, hydrologists, and microbiologists. Marci showed and explained several types of sediment-collection methods that she uses in her work. The students were particularly interested in the equipment she uses when coring and gathering samples. Martha Loyd visited James Sanderlin Elementary School, where she gave a presentation to 20 students. She used the Sponge Bob Squarepants character to give students a tour of tidal wetlands. The students learned how marshes absorb and release water and air, and how tidal marshes help absorb wave energy. They also learned how tidal wetlands contribute to the estuary food web and what sorts of animals call the marsh their home. Singing the Sponge Bob song and naming the inhabitants of the wetlands made the presentation memorable for the students. Kathy Krohn (Dennis Krohn's wife) also used Ellen Raabe's Sponge Bob poster at McMullen-Booth Elementary School. Photographs of a submersible made Kate Ciembronowicz's presentation at Campbell Park Elementary Marine Science Center a huge success. She gave her presentation to two classes of approximately 35 students. Kate described the tools of an oceanographer and used fieldwork at Pulley Ridge off Florida's southwest coast as an example. The students enjoyed learning that Pulley Ridge is a deep reef consisting of a remarkable ecosystem of live coral and diverse fish populations.
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in this issue:
Deltaic Habitats in Puget Sound Invasive Sea Squirt Flourishing
Students Learn About Coastal and Marine Science Hurricanes Focus Attention on USGS Research College Students Visit USGS Center in St. Petersburg Scientists Participate in Great-American Teach-In Scientists Interviewed About Invasive Sea Squirt Scientists Interviewed for HBO Program
Jeff Williams Reviews Storm Surge Model Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institutes Conference Suwannee River Basin and Estuary Integrated Science Workshop
Jingping Xu Joins Western Coastal and Marine Geology Team
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Updated December 02, 2016 @ 12:09 PM (JSS)