for Educators of Grades 6-12

All life on Earth relies on the ocean— yet, the ocean is 95 percent unexplored, unknown and unseen by human eyes…

An essential component of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) mission is to enhance ocean science literacy and enhance understanding why it is important to explore our little-known ocean world. To help fulfill this mission, the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Education Materials Collection was developed to encourage educators and their students to become engaged with expeditions and discoveries made by the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer—America’s first Federal ship dedicated to ocean exploration.

Educators are invited to join NOAA OER facilitators to learn Why We Explore (Volume 1) and How We Explore (Volume 2) the deep ocean. Participants will learn about the importance of ocean exploration and the advanced technological capabilities of the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer used to explore the deep ocean. This 7-hour professional development will introduce standards-based, hands-on activities and online resources that guide classroom teaching and learning. Ocean health, sophisticated underwater mapping technologies, unique deep-sea ecosystems, remotely operated vehicles and telepresence are just a few of the topics covered.

Registration is required and space is limited. Educators will receive the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Education Materials Collection Volume 1: Why Do We Explore? and Volume 2: How Do We Explore?, additional resources and a NOAA Ocean Exploration Certificate of Participation. Breakfast, lunch and a $75 stipend will be provided.

If you have previously participated in a Why Do We Explore? or How Do We Explore? Professional Development, this offering will be redundant.