{"id":385,"date":"2016-02-12T09:10:04","date_gmt":"2016-02-12T14:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/scotchbonnet\/?p=385"},"modified":"2018-01-09T12:42:56","modified_gmt":"2018-01-09T17:42:56","slug":"winter-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/scotchbonnet\/2016\/02\/winter-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted Feb. 12, 2016<\/strong>
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Updated March 1, 2016<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Winter is here, but spring is just around the corner. It\u2019s been a crazy-weather winter so far with small accumulations of snow here on the Outer Banks. Will there be more? I\u2019ve always heard (from my grandmother and others) that it will snow nine days after it thunders during the winter. Of course, the number of days varies between seven and 14, but I go with my grandmother\u2019s prediction of nine. I\u2019m counting the days since the last thunder and will let you know if we have more snow! For the upcoming spring, there are a number of Earth Day activities going on across the state, as well as events with the statewide North Carolina Science Festival<\/a> that runs April 8 to 24. Check out www.ncsciencefestival.org\/<\/a> for a calendar listing.<\/p>\n

The Blue Heron Bowl<\/a>, North Carolina\u2019s regional competition for the National Ocean Science Bowl<\/a> (NOSB), occurred the first weekend in February. Congratulations to first place winners from Walter Williams High School in the Alamance County-Burlington School System! They move on to the national finals in April.<\/p>\n

Second place went to a team from Chapel Hill High School from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Teens from Eugene Ashley High School, in New Hanover County Schools, came in third. Swansboro High School from Onslow County Schools earned the coveted Sportsmanship Award.<\/p>\n

You can find details on Twitter by searching for #BHB16 and\/or Blue Heron Bowl. Additional photos and reports will be in the spring issue of Coastwatch<\/a><\/em> magazine.<\/p>\n

North Carolina is thrilled to be hosting the NOSB national finals April 21 to 24 in Morehead City. Follow @NOSBRocks<\/a> on Twitter to keep up with all the action. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill\u2019s Institute of Marine Sciences, Carteret Community College and Seahorse Coastal Consulting are the local hosts. The Spring 2016 issue of Scotch Bonnet<\/em> will share results. NOSB rocks!<\/p>\n

Thanks to Pat Curley, Jennifer Metzler-Fiorino, Casey Radley, Renee Strnad and Ben Wunderly for their contributions to this issue. Wishing you all a wonderful summer!<\/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 unique opportunities and ideas for educators. There is a lot going on in North Carolina and beyond!<\/p>\n


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*NEW: <\/em>Educators of Excellence Institutes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

naturalsciences.org\/learn\/educators-of-excellence-institutes<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Educators, are you looking for a fabulous professional development activity this summer? Educators of Excellence Institutes, through the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, will provide field-based learning experiences in Belize and Yellowstone this summer. The Educators of Excellence Fund supports these trips, keeping costs reasonable for selected teachers. But, hurry \u2014 applications (including a recommendation) are due Monday, March 7<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Any educator, formal or informal, early childhood through university, is invited to apply. For more information, go to http:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/learn\/educators-of-excellence-institutes<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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*NEW: <\/em>3-Day Coastal Conservation Camp for Rising 7\u201310th Graders<\/strong><\/h2>\n

www.nccoastalreserve.net\/web\/crp\/summer-science-school<\/a> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n