Ten teachers from across Maine are learning first-hand about the latest in ocean sciences at a week-long training program at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences which began July 21. The teachers will be conducting hands-on research, learning about important ocean issues, and working side-by-side with Bigelow Laboratory scientists as part of the sixth annual BLOOM (Bigelow Laboratory Orders Of Magnitude) Educator’s Program.

Bigelow Laboratory researchers Dr. David Fields and Dr. Nicole Poulton lead the program which provides teachers with training, tools, and hands-on research experience so that they are better equipped to teach about complicated ocean science issues. In addition to learning the fundamentals of ocean science from both a local and global context, the ten educators will receive curriculum materials, aquatic field sampling and laboratory equipment, and follow-up support during the academic year. 

“Our goal is to enhance teachers’ understanding of the ocean, how it works, what lives in it, and how it is changing so that they can take this knowledge and share it more effectively with their students,” Fields said. “Given that the ocean is so vital to our economy and way of life here in Maine, a greater focus on ocean science is a winning situation for everyone involved.”

The 10 Maine teachers who are participating in the 2015 "Exploring Oceanography" BLOOM Educator's Program are: Celeste Frisbee of Traip Academy, Kittery; James Kary of Chewonki Semester School, Wiscasset; Kimberly Scantlebury of Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport; Micah Depper of Harpswell Coastal Academy, Harpswell; Janet Perry of Ashland District High School, Ashland; Emily Cohn of Vinalhaven School, Vinalhaven; Carrie Emerson of Sacopee Valley High School, Hiram; David McKechnie of North Haven Community School, North Haven; Kate Miller of Greely Middle School, Cumberland Center; and Jeff Cleaveland of Hall-Dale High School, Appleton.