1. From the Captain’s Desk
2. Survey of 2009 Scientist Participants
3. 2010 Online Institute—Inviting Teachers & Scientists from Past Years
4. Update on Case Study Project with National COSEE Network
5. COSEE:CGOM & SAME Two-Day Workshop in Florida
6. COSEE:CGOM Calendar

This Workshop was sponsored by NSF in cooperation with the University of Southern Mississippi and the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center. The Workshop was conducted at Camp Timpoochee in Niceville, FL with 43 people registering and 37 actually participating on Friday afternoon, November 14 through midmorning on Sunday, November 16. The Workshop was perceived primarily as extremely valuable or valuable with a modest percentage of average-values through Likert-scale evaluations completed by the participants. The two-tailed, t-test results for the pre- and posttests that were administered to the participants were significant at the 0.01 level. Friday evening involved a nice dinner and camaraderie, followed with a presentation by Dr. Sharon Walker on the “Value of the Gulf of Mexico and Ocean Literacy.” Saturday morning and early afternoon were spent with two Keynote Presenters, Dr. Allison Beauregard from Northwest Florida State College, focusing on Ocean Acidification and Dr. Wade Jeffrey from the University of West Florida, focusing on Ozone Depletion. Hands-on activities were coordinated by Kay Baggett and Jessica Kastler following each presentation to help re-enforce the scientific content presented by Drs. Beauregard and Jeffrey. By mid-afternoon, all the participants were ready for a choice of two field trips led by Molly and Rick O’Connor with kayaking in Lake Pippin to observe diamondback terrapins or nature walks led by Brooke Saari and Chris Verlinde in the ecosystems of the Walton County Coastal Dune Lakes. A well-prepared “fresh, seafood bash,” (by the Camp Timpoochee kitchen staff), was enjoyed by everyone! It seems being in the field for three to four hours resulted in significant appetites by all 37 of us! The “grand finale” of the evening was an ice cream social, and an enviable and permitted campfire on the beach!

Sunday morning following breakfast, the SAME Business Meeting was conducted by President, Joan Turner. Much of the business focused on SAME’s planning as host for the 2014 NMEA Conference in Mobile, AL. The SAME members know we have a “Herculean” task in front of us; however, the membership is solidly behind the decision to serve as the 2014 NMEA Conference host. The meeting concluded with the President-Elect, Chris Verlinde, becoming SAME’s President for 2010-011. Many well-deserved accolades were given to Joan Turner for her two years of service as the SAME President. Special thanks were also extended to Sharon Walker, Jessica Kastler, Johnette Bosarge, and Chris Verlinde for coordinating this even with Jennifer Williams, Director for Camp Timpoochee and her staff members.

Dr. Sharon Walker

Principal Investigator
COSEE:CGOM
sharon.walker@usm.edu