The PA Sea Grant College Program encourages Pennsylvania educators to apply for the 2018 “Teacher at Sea Program,” a program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The deadline for applications is November 30
The Teacher at Sea Program is an opportunity to engage in ocean research alongside NOAA research scientists and other teachers from around the country. Application deadline is November 30 and there is no cost to participate.
The Teacher at Sea Program has accepted nearly 700 teachers, representing all 50 states, into the program since it began in 1990.
Five Pennsylvania teachers have participated, including Mark Wolfgang, who teaches Biology and Zoology at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Westmoreland County.
In April 2017, he joined NOAA scientists aboard the research vessel the Reuben Lasker, to conduct a survey of the organisms living off the coast of California, with specific emphasis on the anchovy and sardine populations.
“Over the past years of teaching Zoology to juniors and seniors, I’ve developed an appreciation for all the animals living on our earth and a drive to learn more about them,” said Mark Wolfgang, Franklin Regional High School teacher and NOAA Teacher at Sea participant. “This is what led me to NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program – an exciting opportunity to combine my love for animals and quest for knowledge with the research opportunity and to share those experiences with my students.”
The NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker is one of the most technologically advanced fishery survey vessels in the world. The ship’s primary objective is to support fish, marine mammal, seabird and turtle surveys off the U.S. West Coast and in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
The April 2017 survey focused on anchovies and sardines, but unfortunately, only four sardines and no anchovies were found.
Researchers are studying the irregular population fluctuations, and learning from the data. Sardines play an important role in the ocean ecosystem and food web, and low numbers in these populations can affect the other organisms that live in this ecosystem.
“The numbers collected on this survey help to inform the individuals who make fishing policies,” said Wolfgang. “Because of the low population numbers, there is currently a moratorium on commercial sardine fishing in this part of the Pacific Ocean. NOAA serves as an important bridge between environmental groups and commercial fisheries."
NOAA also serves as an important bridge between science and education. One of the goals of the Teacher at Sea Program is an increased understanding of how NOAA research is linked to the Next Generation Science Standards and Ocean Literacy Principles, and pathways leading to NOAA careers.
“I am incredibly excited to share my ocean experience with my students and others, through photos, videos, written blogs and presentations,” said Wolfgang. “I want my students to see the importance of caring about the health of our oceans and gain an appreciation for animals they may never encounter, and to also encourage them to consider the many science-related career opportunities – like Zoology.”
Applicants may be classroom teachers (Pre-K through grade 12, community college, college or university), aquarium or museum educators, or adult education teachers.
Teacher at Sea participants are typically on board one of NOAA’s research vessels for approximately two weeks and may participate in one of three cruise types: fisheries research, oceanographic research, or hydrographic surveys.
Participants can expect to be at sea anywhere from two weeks to one month, with the average cruise lasting 12-14 days. Most participants sail on cruises offered during the summer vacation, but cruises take place throughout much of the year on a space-available basis.
For all the details, visit the NOAA Teacher at Sea website.
(Photo: Teacher Mark Wolfgang from Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Westmoreland County.)
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