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Adopted March, 2003
Resolution encouraging partnerships
between the Sea Grant Network and members of the American Zoo and Aquarium
Association
Whereas, Sea Grant programs across the country have a history of innovative
partnerships with local aquaria and zoos; and
Whereas, the Sea Grant Association and members of the
American Zoo and Aquarium Association have similar goals of
increasing understanding of coastal and marine species and their unique
ecosystems; and
Whereas, Sea Grant educators and aquaria staff can combine
efforts to develop interesting curricula for grades K-12 that
will captivate students while also meeting national science standards; and
Whereas, marine science lessons are of interest to persons of
all ages; and
Whereas, Sea Grant experts can provide cutting-edge marine
science findings, and aquaria can provide broad audiences,
including millions of school children as well as the general public; and
Whereas, projects based on true and equal partnerships often
have strong support from private and public funding agencies; and
Whereas partnerships between Sea Grant programs and individual zoos and
aquaria could meet a number of
recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy,
including but not limited to those included in the commission's preliminary
report, such as:
• Offering opportunities for coastal and marine
scientists to
interact with educators and the public, serving as role
models for future generations;
• Providing leadership to other federal and state offices
that are now recognizing the role of outreach programs - a
strength of the Sea Grant programs for nearly 35 years;
• Sharing information about how coastal topics affect
residents across the nation;
• Increasing a sense of stewardship for our coastal and Great
Lakes waters and surrounding ecosystems and communities;
• Generating excitement with the public about coastal topics
through exhibits, videos and other messages that present
science in real-world terms rather than as abstract concepts; and
• Increasing the level of coastal literacy by reaching a wide
section of the general public, including school groups,
with particular attention to minority groups traditionally
underrepresented in marine sciences.
So, now therefore be it resolved that the Sea Grant
Association and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association
agree to encourage an expansion of existing partnerships to
the regional and national level.
And may it be further resolved that such partnerships may
include, but not be limited to:
• Workshops for teachers and teachers-in-training to provide
innovative lessons they can share in their classrooms.
• New curricula that can link Sea Grant research and aquaria
exhibit topics while meeting national science standards.
• New rotating exhibits based on critical and emerging
regional topics, with accompanying curricula materials and
lectures or presentations by appropriate Sea Grant
researchers or extension specialists.
• Publications and web pages that support chosen topics.
• Participation in additional partnership efforts, such as
the Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence and new
outreach efforts from other NOAA agencies, such as Office
of Ocean Exploration, or the National Undersea Research Program.
• Other projects that meet the recommendations of the U.S.
Commission on Ocean Policy.
• Projects that incorporate mission of the National Sea Grant
College Program, NOAA and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
• Cross-training opportunities that utilize expertise within
a Sea Grant program or zoo/aquarium, or that brings in
other experts to benefit both staffs.
• Sharing of expertise in evaluation and assessment of
coastal/marine education and outreach programs.
AND be it further resolved that participation in the new
regional and national partnership efforts will be voluntary
on the part of all individual Sea Grant programs, zoos and
aquaria; and that this resolution is not intended to preclude
existing partnerships between members of the American Zoo and Aquarium
Association and the Sea Grant network.
Date
Signed
__________________________
__________________________
Sea Grant Association
American Zoo and Aquarium Assn.
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Paul S. Anderson,
President
Director, Maine Sea Grant College Program
University of Maine
5784 York Complex
Orono, ME 04469
207.581.1435 p
207.581.1426 f
panderson@maine.edu
This
page updated on:
March 21, 2008
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