Teachers to Present at
International Conference in Turkey

Two Maryland teachers will be taking part this November in an international conference on coastal seas in Antalya, Turkey. Ann Williams (Northern Middle School, Calvert County) and Patricia Chambers (Stephen Decatur Middle School, Worcester County) have had manuscripts accepted for presentation at the joint MEDCOAST/EMECS (Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas) conference. Their papers concern the translation of experiences gained from summer research internships at the Horn Point Laboratory (Chambers) and Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (Williams) under the mentorship of faculty members at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES). Both are fellows under the Maryland Educators Summer Research Program coordinated by Towson University.

Ann Williams' paper, co-authored by UMCES Vice President Wayne Bell, is entitled, "Using Coastal Seas Programs to Advance Science Education." She will present it in a session on environmental education that will explore the translation of coastal science and policy into public understanding and stewardship. The paper demonstrates the value of scientist-mentored internships in helping teach science using hands-on exercises and authentic data. It presents a simple field toxicology bioassay based on student analysis of 3-day survival of the amphipod Hyalella in Chesapeake Bay water samples taken from various locations potentially influenced by land-based pollution. "Inquiry-based instruction is very popular with middle school students," Mrs. Williams observes. "They are much more interested in learning when they are involved in conducting experiments, collecting data, and interpreting results." Her summer research was mentored by Drs. David Wright and Mary Haasch and supported by Maryland Sea Grant.

Patricia Chambers will be presenting a poster, co-authored by her mentor, Dr. Laura Murray, titled, "Water Quality Assessment: Coupling Science and Education." It reports the results of an innovative study on the relationship between nutrient pollution and survival of sea grasses in the Maryland Coastal Bays. Ribbons replace sea grass leaves as artificial substrates for surface-loving algae, the settlement and growth of which are promoted by nutrient pollution. Ms. Chambers notes, "We are turning our field research into a science exercise in which my students can assay the water quality of their neighborhood tributaries. It is important for them to learn the connection between nutrients and pollution. It is equally important for them to learn about real scientific data and its analysis." Her summer internship was supported by a watershed grant from the Maryland Sea Grant/Space Grant Consortium.

http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/Extension/msgsnn/msgsnn02_1/emecs.html