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BACKGROUNDER

Oceans Learning Partnership The Oceans Learning Partnership (OLP) is the lead organization for a new Ocean Education Initiative for youth in the Newfoundland and Labrador school system, providing a much-needed bridge between K-12 and post-secondary. OLP has united all key players in ocean science and education to create a collaborative and integrated approach to ocean education for school-age students in this province. The aim is to offer hands-on learning experiences that excite young people about ocean science and technology and expose them to the many careers available in the ocean sectors. Scientists and educators from Memorial University, Marine Institute, Parks Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are all part of the initiative, along with program advisors from Department of Education and NL Teachers Association. Funding partners include the Hebron Project, ACOA, and the Government of NL – Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, and Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Today’s Kids…Tomorrow’s Ocean Professionals Bridging the Gap in Ocean Studies for NL Youth

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! ! “Thank&you&so&much&for&the&Coastal&Explorer&experience!&&My&son&Brendan&thoroughly&enjoyed&the& day&on&board&your&boat&collecting&and&studying&plankton,&operating&the&ROV,&using&the&multiBbeam& sonar&and&underwater&camera,&and&doing&so&many&real&tests&and&measurements.&&The&experience& was&definitely&a&highlight&for&him&as&he&loves&science&and&is&bored&with&classroom&studies.&The&Coastal& Explorer&experience&has&opened&up&a&new&world&to&him&and&he&now&wants&to&become&a&marine& biologist&when&he&grows&up.”!!! %Karen!Ryder,!Parent!

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! The Ocean Education Initiative was launched in November 2011 to address the gap in ocean studies in the K-12 school system in Newfoundland and Labrador. The aim is to offer hands-on learning experiences that excite and inspire youth about ocean science and technology and expose them to the many careers available in the ocean sectors.

Day-Long Educational Cruises at Sea Offer Real-World, Hands-on Learning Experiences Day-long educational cruises onboard a ‘floating classroom’ offer young students hands-on experiences where they discover the many dimensions of our ocean environment and learn to use sophisticated scientific and oceanographic equipment. Onboard and onshore programming at partner sites are designed to meet the learning outcomes of Science 1206, Environmental Science 3205, Communications Technology 2104, Biology 2201 and Grades 4, 6 and 8 science modules. OLP is expanding its educational programming starting in fall 2014. The expanded programming will consist of a year-long enrichment program and year-long career development program for high school students, and a professional development program in marine science and technology for practicing teachers and teachers-in-training. Teachers will also be able to connect their classrooms with scientists and other ocean professionals from Memorial University, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, among others, through a dedicated video streaming portal. To further support learning in the classroom and enrich the learning experience, Oceans Learning Partnership is developing locally relevant learning resources for teachers to use in the classroom.

! Oceans Learning Partnership, 34 Salmonier Line, P.O. Box 623, Holyrood, NL A0A 2R0 URL: www.olp.oceansNL.net Contact: Maria G. Giovannini Interim Executive Director Mobile: (709) 746-4252 E-mail: [email protected]

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OUR STORY !

In November 2011, ExxonMobil Vice-President Geoff Parker announced funding for the first-ever ocean education program for the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador !

! Clarenville!High!School!students!Hannah!Tilley,!MacKenzie!Dove!and!Amy!Short!operate!a!remotely!operated!vehicle!(ROV)!funded!by!the!Hebron!Project.! Onboard!to!get!a!firstHhand!look!is!Geoff!Parker,!senior!project!manager!for!the!Hebron!Project!and!viceHpresident!of!ExxonMobil!Canada.!!

An investment of over $400,000 for a ‘floating classroom’ saw the introduction of the first-ever ocean education program for students in the K-12 school system in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Hebron Project contribution financed the addition of sophisticated oceanographic equipment - an ROV, deep-water camera and multi-beam sonar - that has opened up a whole new world of educational programming about the ocean for students and teachers in the province. ! !

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TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER…. !

2014 ! The key players in education and government are now working together to create a collaborative and integrated approach to ocean education across this province, with Oceans Learning Partnership taking the lead. ! Memorial University Parks Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Department of Education Provincial School Districts Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association

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The provincial Departments of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Fisheries and Aquaculture contributed $250,000 and $150,000 in funding respectively in 2012-2013 to expand the field program to the Bonne Bay Marine Station to reach schools on the west coast of the province.

THE PARTNERSHIP ! Four partner sites with marine facilities are actively collaborating on joint programming activities: Terra Nova National Park, Holyrood Marine Base, Ocean Sciences Centre, Bonne Bay Marine Station Partner sites provide onshore programming and infrastructure, including touch tanks, wet labs, aquaria, presentation theatres, docks and boat launches. Personnel from all partner sites are collaborating in program planning and delivery. In November 2013, an MOU was signed with Memorial University, announced by the vice-president of the university, Dr. David Wardlaw.

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! Over twenty MUN and DFO scientists are supporting the program in an advisory capacity or actively working with OLP on programs to involve students in their field research. DR. TREVOR BELL, Department of Geography, Memorial University - CHRISTINA BOURNE, Aquatic Biologist, Pelagic Section, Fisheries and Oceans Canada - DR. JOHN BRATTEY, Fisheries Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada - DR. BEN DAVIS, Division Manager, Aquatic Resources, Fisheries and Oceans Canada - EARL DAWE, Research Scientist, Shellfish Section, Fisheries and Oceans Canada - DR. DON DEIBEL, Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University - DR. RODOLPHE DEVILLERS, Department of Geography, Memorial University DR. BRAD DE YOUNG, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University - DR. EVAN EDINGER, Department of Geography; Department t of Biology, Memorial University - SUSAN FUDGE, Fisheries Biologist, Centre for Fisheries Ecosystem Research, Marine Institute - DR. PATRICK GAGNON, Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University - DR. ROBERT GREGORY, Director of the Centre of Expertise fore Aquatic Habitat Researcher, Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Adjunct Professor in Department of Biology, Memorial University - DR. CYNTHIA MCKENZIE, Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada - DR. ANNIE MERCIER, Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University - HARRY MURRAY, Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada - DR. GEORGE ROSE, Director, Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research, Marine Institute; Crossappointed with the Department of Biology, Memorial University - DR. PAUL SNELGROVE, Canada Research Chair in Boreal and Cold Ocean Systems, Department of Ocean Sciences and Biology Department, Memorial University DR. LEN ZEDEL, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University. Technicians and graduate students have also agreed to participate: KILEY BEST, Fisheries Technologist, Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research, Marine Institute - MARK O’FLAHERTY, Dive Technician, Memorial University - ANDREW PERRY, Dive Technician, Memorial University - BRAD SQUIRES, Technician, Fisheries and Oceans Canada - TERRI WELLS, Research Technician, Fisheries and Oceans Canada - LAURA WHEELAND, Fisheries Technologist, M.Sc. Candidate, Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research, Marine Institute

Educators and Curriculum Specialists with the provincial School Districts, Department of Education and the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association (NLTA) are working closely with OLP to ensure linkages with curriculum outcomes. GEORGE TUCKER, Administrative Officer, Professional Development, Newfoundland and Labrador Teacher’s Association (NLTA) - PATRICK WELLS, Head of Science, Holy Spirit High School, Manuels - IAN DAVIDSON, Vice Principal, Clarenville High School, Clarenville - CHERYL GORDON, Principal, Glovertown Academy, Glovertown - WHYTE HORLICK, Senior Education Officer, Vista Region, Eastern School District - ANDREW POOLE, Science Teacher, Holy Cross School, Eastport - BILL TUCKER, Principal, District School, Past President, Canadian Association of Principals - DANA GRIFFITHS, Teacher, Distance Education, MUN - TODD WOODLAND, Program Development Specialist - Science, Department of Education - TONY HILLIER, Program Development Specialist – Technology, Department of Education – RODNEY HODDER, Science and Technology Specialist, NL School District, Eastern Region

Discussions are Underway with the Nunatsiavut Government in Nain to Expand the Field Program to Labrador in 2015. Pending confirmation of funding from the provincial department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, the field program will expand to Labrador in 2015. Discussions are currently underway with the Nunatsiavut Government in Nain, kANGIDLUASUk Student Intern Program in Nain, Nain Research Centre and Parks Canada (Torngat Mountains).

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Partner Sites

Terra Nova National Park, Newman Sound, Conception Bay

Holyrood Marine Base, Holyrood

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Partner Sites

Ocean Sciences Centre, Logo Bay

Bonne Bay Marine Station, Norris Point, Gros Morne National Park