COSEE-TEK sponsored three Teacher Technology Experiences (TTE’s) this summer, each was lead by researchers at the University of Connecticut’s Department of Marine Sciences and highlighted their research program and the technologies they use to study the ocean. Teachers and informal educators were actively involved in the field research, sample collection and analysis of data. All of the data and resources from each TTE including field photos, water quality data, and presentations are accessible for education resource development via Google Docs (click here). By providing full access to the broad sweep of data collected via Google Docs, we encourage the creation of new resources and expect this collection to grow with time.
In addition, some resources have been developed by COSEE-TEK and collaborators to address specific themes in ocean science and technology. Resources include (or will include) interactive maps of field sites, lesson plans for high school education, classroom activities, slideshows of highlight photos, video clips and instruction manuals. Please click the links below or on the left to access all of the existing resources under specific categories.
Teachers who are interested in contributing to COSEE-TEK are encouraged to follow the activities on our website, explore resources developed, and contact us for future opportunities.
The COSEE-TEK DIY hydrophone project has evolved over the years with design improvements, refined methods, and increased collaboration with community colleges and the Marine Technology for Teachers and Students (MaTTS) program at University of Rhode Island.This 28 minute YouTube video describes all of the parts, tools and steps necessary to construct an affordable hydrophone (~$45) for use by teachers and students to explore underwater sounds. Click here to download the complimentary Material List and Fabrication Instructions (Version 4.0, Modified for MaTTS [6/25/2014]).
For the collaborative Acoustics Teacher Technology Experience (TTE) with American School for the Deaf (ASD), COSEE-TEK staff designed a new do-it-yourself hydrophone based upon the design by Vivas and Lopez presented in this manuscript entitled "Construction, calibration, and field test of a home-made, low-cost hydrophone system for cetacean acoustic research" (2014). This design is low-cost, effective and simpler than previous designs, using a piezo-electric element potted with epoxy in a simple housing to record the sound. The DIY hydrophone project has evolved with design improvements, refined methods, and increased collaboration with community colleges and the Marine Technology for Teachers and Students (MaTTS) program at University of Rhode Island.
COSEE-TEK strives to enhance ocean science and technology literacy with hands-on experiences for students and teachers of all ages in an effort to engage and recruit the next generation of STEM workforce. Over the past three years, the center has partnered with the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) for an Ocean Science & Technology Challenge (OSTC) engaging a team of students and mentors in the design, building, and field testing of an ocean sensor or sampling device in Long Island Sound.
COSEE-TEK has sponsored two Ocean Science and Technology Days at the Mystic Aquarium that provide scientists the opportunity to broaden the impact of their science to over 3500 visitors annually. COSEE-TEK worked with UConn’s Department of Marine Science to develop 10 exhibits and demonstrations that featured ocean science and the technologies. Post visit surveys have indicated that visitors really enjoyed interacting with the scientists and having hands-on opportunities with the technologies. Click here to download the brochure.
COSEE-TEK’s citizen science based, water quality monitoring project entitled “The Courtship of EVA & BOB” utilizes an easily constructed, cost effective basic observation buoy (BOB) as a floating platform with capacity to carry a suite of environmental sensors for extended periods of time. This document provides detailed information on the preparation, deployment and recovery of the buoy and all associated sensors to help facilitate educators in their local water quality monitoring efforts.
COSEE-TEK’s citizen science based, water quality monitoring project entitled “The Courtship of EVA & BOB” utilizes an easily constructed, cost effective basic observation buoy (BOB) as a floating platform with capacity to carry a suite of environmental sensors for extended periods of time. This document provides detailed information on the preparation, deployment and recovery of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) passive samplers to help facilitate educators in their local water quality monitoring efforts.
During spring 2012, COSEE-TEK has taken the plunge into underwater acoustics with two educational institutes focusing on the engineering and application of low-cost hydrophones. COSEE-TEK technicians have developed this do-it-yourself (DIY) kit using affordable, store-bought parts for relatively easy implementation in the classroom or for citizen science activities.
An environmental science teacher and students at Waterford High School in Waterford, CT are currently participating in a COSEE-TEK lead citizen science project to monitor water born pesticides and marine invertebrate communities in Niantic Bay area, Long Island Sound, and throughout the U.S.
In conjunction with COSEE-TEK's "EVA & BOB Project", Project Oceanology has deployed three basic observation buoys (BOBs) in and around the mouth of the Thames River in the Eastern portion of Long Island Sound and they have been collecting water quality data including biological recruitment, organic contaminants, water temperature and light availability since then. Explore the map to access data and images from each location.
The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office helps a range of students—from elementary school through high school—build buoys to introduce them to concepts behind observational platforms and to help connect them with their local ecosystem—and to help track measurements in that ecosystem.
NOAA’s Chesapeake Exploration is a new and innovative collection of online activities for middle and high school students that bring the science of the Chesapeake Bay to life. Chesapeake Exploration gives teachers and their students unprecedented access to lessons designed around real-time observational data from CBIBS.
Another great example of the "build-a-buoy" concept from the Doug Levin from NOAA's Integrated Ocean Observing Program (IOOS). Students as young as kindergarten can build these buoys with supplies from a local hardware store and become active stewards of their local watershed.
The Best of COSEE Hands-On Activities offers ocean scientists simple, engaging, and easily accessible hands-on activities that will make your presentations to K-12 students, the public, or other non-science audiences more effective. This collection was gathered from across the COSEE Network, with each Center submitting their best hands-on activities.
A Basic Observation Buoy (BOB) is a floating platform with capacity to carry a suite of environmental sensors for extended periods of time. The following Build-a-BOB instruction manual is a product of the 2011 COSEE-TEK Teacher Technology Experience (TTE) called "The Courtship of EVA and BOB". For the project, COSEE-TEK staff developed a durable, compact, and cost-effective buoy to support the EVA passive samplers, biological settling plates and light/temperature sensors.
