Deep Sea Corals 2007 Teachers Professional Development Workshop

On Saturday, September 20, 2007, at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Fort Pierce, FL, 25 secondary school educators from 6 counties along the southeast central coast of Florida participated in a one–day workshop entitled “Deep Sea Corals of the South Atlantic Bight: A Local Resource Workshop for Teachers.” Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI), and the Ocean Research and Conservation Association presented information about deep water coral ecosystems, the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern (OHAPC), research and monitoring efforts, and educational materials for classroom use.  Participants received new curriculum and educational resources, conducted activities related to oceanographic exploration, and gained further understanding of the importance of this unique deepwater habitat.

Agenda and Speakers (available soon)

Lesson Plans:
“Cool Corals”
“Conservation, Restoration and Monitoring” 
“Mapping the Bank”
“Spawn”

Presentations:
"Oculina Bank restoration project: description and preliminary assessment”  presentation by Dr. Sandra Brooke
“Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern” presentation by Andrew Shepard
“Mapping the Bank” presentation by Andrew Shepard