V 



Besides tracking data through observation 

 systems, SEACOOS provides computer 

 modeling that simulates and predicts natural 

 phenomena, such as temperature changes in the 

 ocean. 



For example, scientists can use the 

 observed characteristics of a hurricane combined 

 with models to predict how the storm might 

 grow or shrink, and where it might travel. 



'The modeling capabilities should improve 



wave information, wave vocabulary and other 

 resources. The online project is a partnership of 

 COSEE SouthEast, COSEE Florida and COSEE 

 Gulf of Mexico. 



"We are pushing the envelope in 

 bringing teachers and students up to date on 

 oceanographic observation data," says Spence. 



Another educational component is an 

 underwater video camera on the ocean bottom 

 in the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary 



and high school science teachers are extending 

 Maury activity modules on shallow-water ocean 

 waves and wind-driven ocean circulation by using 

 data on the SEACOOS Web site. 



"I find it valuable to access real-time data — 

 the same data that scientists are using," says East 

 Carteret High School teacher Barbara Waters. "I 

 think that students also find it so valuable to use 

 this data and regard it as a valid exercise. To fuel 

 an interest in science, you need real science." 



LEFT TO RIGHT: MIKE MUGLIA AND SARA MlRABILIO HELPED SET UP THE NEW OBSERVING SYSTEM AT JENNETTE'S PIER. 



Sam Rauser df Ohio checks ocean conditions on a new "surf cam" at the pier. U.S. Coast Guard crew lowers 

 a new CDRMP and U.S. Marine Corps buoy off the coast of Camp LeJeune. 



the quality of forecasts for areas where there is a 

 potential for flooding and other problems," says 

 Seim. 



EDUCATIONAL EFFORT 



The network also offers a new frontier of 

 knowledge for educators. 



"Integrating real-time or near real-time data 

 into lessons is a novel experience for students 

 and teachers," says Lundie Spence, director 

 of the Center for Ocean Sciences Education 

 Excellence (COSEE) SouthEast, one of seven 

 regional educational centers across the country. 



With the type of data and models on 

 the SEACOOS Web site, precollege and 

 undergraduate students can learn about 

 geographically relevant information in earth 

 science, marine science and other courses, adds 

 Spence. 



For example, the SEACOOS Web site 

 contains the Virtual Waves Classroom, which 

 includes a poster, classroom activities, real-time 



about 17.5 nautical miles off Sapelo Island, Ga. 

 The camera records creatures moving through 

 the artificial reef structure. 



In North Carolina, Sea Grant marine 

 education specialist Terri Kirby Hathaway is 

 using coastal ocean observing data to extend 

 classroom lessons. 



Through the American Meteorological 

 Society's Maury Project, a comprehensive 

 national program of teacher enhancement based 

 on the physical foundations of oceanography, 

 Hathaway is bringing new lessons on a variety 

 of oceans topics to educators for use in K-12 

 classrooms, as well as in aquariums and 

 museums. 



"The outreach and education group plays 

 a major role in increasing public awareness of 

 SEACOOS and in dealing with the needs and 

 concerns of users," says Hathaway. 



Along with Hathaway and two college 

 professors from the U.S Naval Academy and 

 Alvenia College in Pennsylvania, five middle 



When the SEACOOS network is complete, 

 marine scientists, anglers, boaters and others 

 from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia 

 and Florida will be able to tap into a database 

 of regional meteorological and oceanographic 

 information gathered 24 hours a day. 



The regional observing system not only will 

 greatly improve the decision-making process for 

 coastal managers, weather response teams and 

 others, but also will enhance the quality of life in 

 the coastal zone. 



"We want to provide the same predictions 

 for the ocean here in the southeast as the 

 National Weather Service does for the land," says 

 Thigpen. □ 



To find out more about SEACOOS, visit 

 the Web: www.seacoos.org. Web surfers can find 

 ocean data from Jennette's Pier and the Cape 

 Lookout buoy by going online to: http://nccoos. 

 unc.edu and click on platform. 



For more information about CORMP, visit 

 www.connp.org and fallow the links. 



AUTUMN 2005 



