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Hamilton MS teacher participates in Teacher at Sea program
Mary Patterson, Hamilton Middle School science department chair, works aboard the ship Rainier as part of the NOAA’s Teacher at Sea program she participated in over the summer.
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August 18, 2009 — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) selected Mary Patterson, a science teacher at Hamilton Middle School, to join scientists aboard the 231-foot NOAA Ship Rainier as part of its Teacher at Sea program to bridge science and education.
After boarding the ship in Kodiak, Ak., Patterson spent June 13-July 4 assisting hydrographers with surveying the Alaskan coast and improving their knowledge of local nautical hazards. She wrote logs that included information about important research of the day, life at sea, interviews with hydrographers and photos. The logs are posted on NOAA’s Teacher at Sea web site at http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov.
“I am thrilled to have been part of this opportunity that has allowed me to participate in real-world scientific research using cutting-edge technology and to experience life at sea aboard the Rainier,” said Patterson. “Through NOAA’s Teacher at Sea program, my students will not only be able to learn first-hand about mapping uncharted Alaskan waters, they will understand how scientists really work in the field and will learn about different science career options. I want my students to be tuned in and turned on by science and all the possibilities in this discipline. Making their learning relevant through my own hands-on experiences is vital to engage them in the subject matter and emphasize life-long learning. Getting students excited about science and science-related careers will create new generations of researchers helping the world.”
Now in its 19th year, the program has provided more than 500 teachers the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in science at sea. NOAA received more than 170 applications this year. They selected 30 individuals to participate in cruises. According to Cpt. Donald Haines, Commanding Officer and Chief Scientist of the Rainier, educators can enrich their curricula with a depth of understanding made possible by living and working side-by-side, day and night, with those who contribute to the world’s body of scientific knowledge.
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov for more information.
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