1998 Year of the Ocean Marine Science, Technology, and Research 



materials (hard-copy, audio/video, diskette, laser discs, Internet, or other related types of 

 materials). The ocean science community can collaborate with instructional material developers 

 to produce correct and content-current materials, and can rapidly modify existing materials to 

 add new content. Year-round academic years for precoUege students are increasing in various 

 school districts and parishes within the United States. This paradigm shift will provide the 

 opportunity for increasing the competitiveness of this nation's youth in a global marketplace.. 



Informal Education 



The average American probably knows more about space than he or she does about the 

 ocean. Given that so much of the quality of life and economic prosperity are dependent on 

 oceanography, it is timely during this Year of the Ocean to address the need for increased public 

 awareness of this field. The ocean research community is a treasure trove of fascinating findings. 

 There are a very limited number of efforts to provide regular educational opportunities in 

 oceanography for the public. Related to this need is the issue of providing information to policy 

 makers at the federal, state, and local levels. Networks or coalitions are needed to foster this kind 

 of dissemination of information, as well as to serve as focal points for ocean-related issues. 



Ocean science data can be too fragmented or hidden in difficult to understand scientific 

 papers with little relevance to "society" or legislators on all levels. The timely, accurate transfer 

 of information (i.e., data, analytical products, synthesis documents) on marine environment 

 issues to public leaders, educators and the general public is crucial if the ocean's role in human 

 activities is to be properly understood. Many problems with stewardship of the marine 

 ecosystem, response to natural and human-induced hazards, and the full appreciation of the 

 ocean, arise either from the lack of information or the great difficulty in locating relevant data 

 and products, or incompatibility between the few existing delivery systems. This situation 

 concerning the informational flow to the public concerning marine issues requires initiatives to 

 make the available information useful, to supply it in formats compatible with robust analysis 

 packages, and to provision for an interested party to obtain more detailed answers dependent on 

 the needs of the particular user. 



Current technologies provide various models for making it relatively easy to transmit 

 information. The challenge is to provide a "usefiil information flow" and a backup set of experts 

 to handle questions. The useful information flow envisioned here would consist of a searchable 

 catalog of data and products together with an efficient delivery system. Such a database must be 

 accessible by multiple users such as media, legislators, public, or anyone looking for 

 information. The opportunity is especially strong now with some on-line networks and Internet 

 access tools. 



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