Class From The Sea
We believe that by raising public awareness about the world's oceans, whales, and other marine organisms—as well as the human activities that threaten them—we can get students interested in working to create a healthy future for the environment.
With our Class From the Sea program, your class can talk to scientists, researchers and crew of the Odyssey via telephone or videophone. With this program, students may:
* Watch Video and Audio "shorts" of whales, dolphins, and other sea creatures, with explanations from educators and scientists onboard the Odyssey.
* Receive a Q & A session with the ship's scientists.
* Reinforce lessons with classroom activities.
* View Online Bulletin Boards for extended student discussion.
* Teleconference between the ship's crew and students throughout the U.S. and other regions.
Background
In October of 1999, grade 11 and 12 Outdoor and Environmental Education students from Glen Waverley Secondary College in Melbourne, Australia, linked to our research vessel Odyssey for a live 'Class from the Sea'. The Odyssey was in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico at the time conducting scientific research on the first leg of the 3-year around the world 'Voyage of the Odyssey'. The Glen Waverley students had the opportunity to converse with and ask questions of Dr. Roger Payne and Ocean Alliance CEO/VP Captain, Iain Kerr. During their 1-hour satellite telephone call, topics discussed included the biology and behavior of whales, sampling techniques, scientific data collection, threatened habitats and whaling issues.
The 'Class from the Sea' education initiative has been designed as an innovative and unique form of education, assisting students in understanding the detrimental effects of human impacts on the oceans, and how we can take responsibility for our own actions.
It is our intention to make learning more dynamic and interesting for students through the utilization of a broad spectrum of interactive multi–media and today's most advanced technologies. We aim to encourage a more informed decision making citizenry by creating scientific and environmental awareness through the use of flexible, multi-grade and interdisciplinary curricula.
Students have the opportunity to communicate with experts in the field while seeing connections and relationships pertaining to the ocean environment through questioning and problem solving.
The Ocean Alliance believes that through first hand experiential learning the enthusiasm of students can be caught, consequently challenging and empowering them to do something positive for the environment and become actively involved by teaching others what they have learned.
For more information on how your class can participate, email: question@oceanalliance.org.
