It is gearing up for summertime so if you see a jellyfish on the beach, report it here. They actually want to hear about all your fun and exciting ocean finds. And best of all there is no registration – so get to it!
More than One Week
April 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Tomorrow is the final day for National Environmental Education Week! It is a special week in schools because all of those children with an aptitude for understanding concepts with examples about nature have finally been able to comprehend all those complex topics they might otherwise have found overwhelming simply because the examples used in class do not inspire them to learn.
The concept of infusing environmental education in all parts of the classrooms is a concept that is few and far between. And, at this point is set aside for this very special week. It is not even part of the requirements for a school to be listed as LEED certified. That is simply based on how the school is constructed. And, one could hope that the students are going to absorb the fact that their classroom lightbulbs are better for the environment than the other school down the block but I doubt it.
I rarely get on a soapbox on this blog but I want to take the time to ask you what does it mean for a school to be green? To me, it should mean integrating environmental themes throughout the year. In recent years an eighth learning style has been identified. This new learning style is the ‘naturalistic’ and many students would benefit greatly from year round green in the classroom. If you would like to learn more on how to integrate environmental themes in the classroom check out these websites:
Japan
March 20, 2011 by 1 Comment
My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the devastating earthquake on March 11, 2011 in Japan. Because I strongly believe pictures are worth a thousand words to illustrate the damage and destruction visit National Geographic to view a very powerful post of before and after images.
It’s as Easy as A, B, Sea: A Review
February 28, 2011 by 1 Comment
We did it! Here is the Beach Chair Scientist’s 2011 version of the A, B, Seas.
It’s as easy as A, B, Sea: W for Weddell Sea
February 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Weddell Sea is the southern most part of the Atlantic Ocean and is usually ice filled. It was discovered by James Weddell in 1823.
Image (c) abc.net.au
It’s as easy as A, B, Sea: U for Upwelling
February 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Upwelling is the phenomenon of wind moving surface waters thus to make way for cold, dense water that comes from the bottom of the ocean. It seems to most often happen on the west coast of continents. That is why you typically need a nice wet suit all year round to go surfing in California.
It’s as easy as A, B, Sea: T for Trilobite
February 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Trilobites are not an opportunity to taste test three different bites of food. They are an extinct marine arthropod, that looked like a squashed centipede, dating back to the Cambrian period. They’re quite significant because paleontologists use them as an index fossil for dating back other rock structures.
Image (c) smithsonianmag.com
It’s as easy as A, B, Sea: S for Sturgeon
February 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Sturgeon are a group of primitive fish that spawn in river and live in the sea (anadromous). Some sturgeon may even abandon the life at sea and remain in the river ecosystem. They spawn in the same river in which they were born. They are covered in very heavy scales which make good protection. With all this protection they have been known to live a long time – one was tagged as 200 years old! Although, they have very sought after eggs and are in danger of being overfished for caviar. You can learn more about the stock status of the Atlantic sturgeon by visiting www.asmfc.org.
Image (c) cornell.edu
It’s as easy as A, B, Sea: P for Portolan
February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Portolan refers to navigational charts dating back to the Renaissance. They were focused on coastal outlines and included seaports, river openings, shoals and hazards. The distance from one point to another was always included. Latitude and longitude were not features on the maps, neither was interior land. Portolan comes from the Italian adjective “portolana” meaning “related to ports or harbors”.
It’s as easy as A, B, Sea: M for Monsoon
February 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Monsoons are winds that change directions with the season and are most often associated with Africa and South Asia. Winter monsoons are dry while summer monsoons bring rain. Very weak monsoons develop on the Gulf of Mexico.
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