Exploring the Oceans With OOI and IODP: A New Partnership in Education and Outreach

The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a new program supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), will investigate ocean and Earth processes using deep-sea and coastal observatories, as well as a lithospheric plate-scale cabled observatory that spans most of the geological and oceanographic processes of our planet. October 2003 marked the beginning of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), the third phase of a scientific ocean drilling effort known for its international cooperation, multidisciplinary research, and technological innovation. A workshop exploring the scientific, technical, and educational linkages between OOI and IODP was held in July 2003. Four scientific thematic groups discussed and prioritized common goals of the two programs, and identified experiments and technologies needed to achieve these objectives. The Education and Outreach (E&O) group attended the science sessions and presented seed ideas on activities for all participants to discuss and evaluate. A multidisciplinary dialogue between E&O facilitators, research scientists, and technology specialists was initiated. OOI/IODP participants support the recommendation of the IODP Education Workshop (May 2003) that the IODP and US Science Support Program (USSSP)-successor program have clear commitments to education and outreach. Specific organizational recommendations for OOI/IODP are: (1) E&O should have equal status with science and engineering in the OOI management/planning structure, and enjoy adequate staffing at a US program office; (2) an E&O Advisory Committee of scientists, engineers, technology experts, and educators should be established to develop and implement a viable, vibrant E&O plan; (3) E&O staff and advisors should (a) provide assistance to researchers in fulfilling E&O proposal requirements from preparation to review stages, (b) promote submittal of proposals to government agencies specifically for OOI/IODP-related E&O activities, and (c) identify and foster partners, networks, and funding opportunities. Specific E&O strategies include: (1) present observatory science and ocean drilling content, and the sense of discovery and international cooperation unique to OOI/IODP, to a broad audience; (2) develop and maintain an effective website with distinct resources for K-20 educators, students, and the public; (3) provide pre-service, in-service, and in-residence programs for K-12 teachers that are synergistic with national and local education standards; (4) focus K-12 education efforts on middle school students in grades 5-8; (5) continue and expand existing, successful Ocean Drilling Program activities for undergraduate and graduate students and educators; and (6) try to avoid redundancy with existing E&O efforts within the ocean sciences community by adopting successful models and exploring partnership opportunities with other NSF-funded ocean science education centers and initiatives.