professional societies Begin ocean science k–12 education Collaboration

. Representatives from 10 professional societies convened at Shannon Point Marine Center, Western Washington University, in August 2008 to identify ways for scientific and educational professional societies to collaborate and provide more effective outreach in K–12 ocean science education. Participating organizations included scientific societies with minor or nonexistent K–12 education efforts, disciplinary-based societies with programs focused in specific K–12 areas, and education-based societies whose primary focus is education and outreach. Workshop participants developed and addressed three objectives: (1) identify what it means for the public/K–12 to understand the science discipline of each society, (2) define appropriate target audiences and how to engage membership and leadership, and (3) identify mechanisms for bringing educators and scientists together. Expanding outreach to members of underrepresented and underserved groups and to students in pre-service teacher training programs were recognized as important cross-cutting themes. Future actions were identified for each objective, and a vision statement was developed.

4. What would your society consider to be the most successful k-12 program it has conducted, and why?
5. What does your society identify as key gaps in k-12 education?
6. What unique contributions can your society make to k-12 ocean education?
7. What connections exist between your society and the culture/infrastructure of science education (the level of knowledge of steM best practices/ research in the education group)?
8. What special programs exist in your society to address diversity issues in k-12 education?
9. how might combining resources/programs with other ocean science and education societies help your society meet its k-12 education goals?
10. are there other questions/issues that we should be asking? (1) large society: 51,000 members with 5,000 in education interest group.
(2) earth system science, physical and geological science; disciplinary subgroups.
strengthening the steM pipeline; diversity; public science literacy.
high school and middle school teachers; high school students; minority students; scientist/educator information sharing. Most work at meetings; some nonmeeting minority work.
Geoscience content for teachers (GiFt workshops). k-12 and diversity programs. Career fairs. education sessions (both oral and poster). education award. links with european educators. Newsletter articles and reports.
(2) physical sciences with an emphasis on atmospheric science and meteorology.
(3) 10 staff in dC education office; separate scholarship and fellowship office. two education advisory boards (k-12 and higher education). (1) small society: 1,800 members.
(2) Focus on coastal and estuarine resources; international knowledge; base of experts in coastal and estuarine science.
(3) No education staff but three committees (education, policy and public outreach, international) Main educational goal is to provide public education on coastal and marine issues.
Members with an interest in education; policymakers. Meeting venue for activities.
education talks and panels at meetings (Gk-12 and other routes for k-12 contribution). ecological society of america (esa) (1) Medium society: 10,000 members.
(3) Four education staff and separate public affairs office. education and human resources committee.
Goals primarily in the literacy sphere; diverse pipeline goals.
Faculty; recent focus on high school teachers and students. Balance between meetings and community programs. some Web work.
ecological content for teaching faculty. Field experiences and professional development for educators and high school students (seeds chapters). digital library.
(2) ocean technology and science. significant industry/non academic membership; regional chapters; student chapters. (1) small society: 1,180 members at national level; regional chapters.
(3) 12 staff; two committees. primary focus on diverse pipeline. Mentoring and network building key goals direct focus on undergraduate and graduate students; teachers; administrators and other stakeholders. The meeting is the community but there is also e-follow-up; post-conference mentoring.
role model and professional development focus. inquiry in various disciplines showcased at conference. unique use of meetings; all minority groups; broad spectrum workshops The oceanography society (tos) (1) small society: 1,600 members, 19% international.
(3) No education staff but one volunteer council member for education. disseminate knowledge; ocean community consensus building.
Members with an interest in education; undergraduate faculty. No programs at meetings; education focus confined to articles in society publication.
Columns in Oceanography magazine on hands-on/lab material and educational challenges. publication of supplements (Cosee epo Guide for scientists, and hands-on oceanography) and special issues (e.g., Women in oceanography).
Vision statement scientific and educational societies will collaborate to inspire our youth, educate the public, and promote the value of educational activities among science professionals. This transformation in the role of professional societies, through focus on ocean science, will help reestablish a scientifically literate populace that can best address the regional and global challenges of the twenty-first century.  proGr aM aCroNyMs, titles, aNd WeB liNks