{"id":106,"date":"2014-02-06T16:15:10","date_gmt":"2014-02-06T21:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/scotchbonnet\/?p=106"},"modified":"2017-01-25T15:41:15","modified_gmt":"2017-01-25T20:41:15","slug":"winter-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/scotchbonnet\/2014\/02\/winter-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the newest online issue of Scotch Bonnet<\/em>. This marine education newsletter also is available as a PDF<\/a> \u2014 if you\u2019re like me and want to keep a hard copy!<\/p>\n

I recently found a Family Circus<\/em> cartoon slipped under my door. It really made me start thinking about student misconceptions about marine animals and aquatic environments. In this one-panel cartoon, young Billy (the oldest son, I think) is looking at a picture of an octopus in a book. He asks the question, \u201cWhat kind of spider grows up to be an octopus?\u201d His confusion is comical, yet sad. I\u2019m sure he\u2019s not the first kid to draw that conclusion looking at the similarities between spiders and octopuses!<\/p>\n

I did a little research on student learning and misunderstandings about the ocean. Robert J. Feller wrote an article, titled \u201c110 Misconceptions about the Ocean,\u201d that appeared in an issue of Oceanography<\/em> in 2007. His experiences teaching an introductory oceanography course to nonscience majors at several universities left him with a wealth of material for this commentary. At the end of the article, he lists 110 misconceptions about the ocean!<\/p>\n

Here are 12 of them for you to contemplate:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Spring tides are a seasonal phenomenon.<\/li>\n
  2. Melting sea ice causes sea level to rise.<\/li>\n
  3. The ocean is basically a bowl, deepest in the middle.<\/li>\n
  4. All Atlantic hurricanes come off the African coast.<\/li>\n
  5. There are no more pirates on the high seas \u2014 that\u2019s just in the movies.<\/li>\n
  6. Detritus is just waste, not useful for anything.<\/li>\n
  7. Salt marshes are just smelly swamps.<\/li>\n
  8. Dolphins exist to help people.<\/li>\n
  9. Sharks are out to eat humans, so shark attacks are premeditated.<\/li>\n
  10. Blue crabs can\u2019t hurt you if you pick them up.<\/li>\n
  11. The ocean is huge, vast and endless in its dilution capacity for pollution.<\/li>\n
  12. Human activities inland can\u2019t possibly harm or impact the ocean.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How many of these misconceptions have you heard from your audiences, whether students, families or the general public? Are there others? Please send me an email detailing what you\u2019ve heard from what age or grade level, or audience in your own educational situation. I\u2019ll share information in a future issue of Scotch Bonnet<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    Thanks to Meredith Bruhn, Pat Curley, Beth Harris, Kerry Irish, Rhana Paris, Shannon Ricles, Dodie Sanders, Renee Strnad and Emily Woodard for their contributions to this issue.<\/p>\n

    Explore this issue of Scotch Bonnet<\/em>. There are professional-development opportunities and family explorations for everyone. Try to take advantage of these wonderful conferences, workshops and more. Keep reading for those unique opportunities and ideas for educators. There is a lot going on in North Carolina and beyond!<\/p>\n

    \n

    Second Annual SciREN Workshop<\/h2>\n

    sciren.web.unc.edu<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"Scientific<\/a>K-12 teachers and nonformal educators: Are you interested in meeting and engaging with local marine and environmental scientists about how you can use their research in your classroom? If the answer to that question is \u201cyes,\u201d then plan to attend the second annual Scientific Research and Education Network, or SciREN, workshop!<\/p>\n

    This event is organized by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill\u2019s Institute of Marine Sciences and the Duke University Marine Laboratory \u2014 and hosted by the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. SciREN will bring educators together with more than 40 local scientists from various institutions and agencies. Researchers from North Carolina State University\u2019s Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, East Carolina University, N.C. Coastal Reserve, and N.C. Maritime Museum will present their research.<\/p>\n

    Whether you attended last year, or are new to SciREN, consider registering for this networking event at goo.gl\/iK10J7<\/a>. This year, scientists provide lesson plans that incorporate teaching standards, as well as other new materials that are based on current research. In addition, the event organizers are working on a portal to help educators connect with the scientists.<\/p>\n

    This\u00a0FREE<\/strong> event is scheduled for Feb. 20, from\u00a05 to 8 p.m., at the\u00a0N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Register by Feb. 14 to be entered into a raffle for some great\u00a0door prizes! For more information on the event, including overnight accommodations, visit sciren.web.unc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Second Annual One Ocean Student Film Festival<\/h2>\n

    monitor.noaa.gov<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The second annual One Ocean Student Film Festival, sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s Monitor<\/em> National Marine Sanctuary will be held in Wanchese at the UNC Coastal Studies Institute on April 26 in conjunction with Earth Day. Submission deadline for student videos is March 15.<\/p>\n

    The One Ocean Film Festival competition is intended to inspire, encourage, recognize and promote the work of student filmmakers who are passionate about the ocean and its maritime heritage.<\/p>\n

    The themes of this year\u2019s competition aim to highlight and showcase our nation\u2019s rich maritime resources, heritage and traditions. These include:<\/p>\n