College Course

Communicating Ocean Sciences
Course Goals

The goals of the course are:

• to introduce diverse future scientists to the importance of K-12 education, public outreach and the "Broader Impact" of their work in ocean sciences;
  
• to introduce diverse students in science degree programs to possible careers in K-12 teaching;
  
• to encourage thoughtful, mutually beneficial collaborations between ocean scientists and educators co-teaching the course;
  
• to provide significant ocean sciences instruction and college-age role models for under-represented K-12 students.

Goals of the course for college students are:

The goal of the course is to help science majors (some with specific background in ocean sciences) become more aware of K-12 science education in hopes that:

• if you become a scientist, you'll care about teaching (including your own) and public education; and will devote some of your effort to "K-12 outreach";
  
• you'll be informed voters and maybe even parents, regardless of what career they choose;
  
• some of you might even consider choosing a career in K-12 education or informal education.
  
• by bringing ocean science experiences to children in local schools your enthusiasm for learning can make a real and substantive difference in the choices that the kids you work with make about their education.