RIVERS to the OCEAN: MAKING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SCIENTISTS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Students at St. Joseph’s Academy, an all-girls, Catholic school in suburban St. Louis, can take a one semester elective course in Marine Sciences their junior or senior year. The course begins with an overview of why the ocean is important and how humans impact it. As students investigate bathymetry, bioluminescence, currents, microbes, seaweeds and a survey of marine animals, they develop an appreciation for our dependence on a healthy ocean. Halfway through the semester, students either individually or with a partner choose a marine scientist and then spend time corresponding with that researcher, reading background information on his/her research and Skyping with the scientist. Finally, they make a movie about their researcher and discuss what they have learned with their class. Selected students will discuss the impact their correspondence has had on their understanding of both the ocean and what it takes to pursue a career in science as well as share their movie and binder portfolio.