{"id":683,"date":"2018-06-11T16:00:06","date_gmt":"2018-06-11T20:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/scotchbonnet\/?p=683"},"modified":"2018-09-21T13:43:29","modified_gmt":"2018-09-21T17:43:29","slug":"spring-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/scotchbonnet\/2018\/06\/spring-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo by Vanda Lewis<\/em><\/p>\n

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

It was certainly a very long winter, wasn\u2019t it? I know we\u2019re all looking forward to warmer weather this spring and summer.<\/p>\n

While you\u2019re planning your summer vacation, be sure to research any environmental education (EE) centers that may be in your community, or near wherever you\u2019re heading. These centers offer a variety of educational programs for kids and families, as well as summer camp opportunities so students can extend their learning outside of the classroom.<\/p>\n

The N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs maintains a list of EE centers around the state. Please take advantage of all opportunities that these facilities offer you and your family. Check this listing<\/a> to find the EE center near you.<\/p>\n

I also wanted to mention a couple of other recent items that may stimulate interest, discussion, and perhaps classroom use:<\/p>\n

1. North Carolina Sea Grant\u2019s new online Inlet Atlas<\/h4>\n

Our state\u2019s history is closely tied to barrier islands and shifting inlets. Check out this new online tool<\/a> to see how our N.C. inlets have shifted over time.<\/p>\n

2. Buzz Hoot Roar science communication blog<\/h4>\n

I\u2019ve written about this blog before, but wanted to remind you of it again. Although currently shut down for a redesign, please bookmark this website<\/a> for future reference. You can also follow them on Twitter at\u00a0@BuzzHootRoar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Former North Carolina Space Grant student slated for mission to ISS<\/h4>\n

Christina H. Koch, selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013, has been assigned to the International Space Station mission<\/a> that is scheduled to launch in April 2019. She grew up in Jacksonville, N.C. and graduated from N.C. State University with degrees in Physics (B.S.) and Electrical Engineering (B.S. and M.S.). Astronaut Koch was an N.C. Space Grant awardee to attend the NASA Academy program at Goddard Space Flight Center in 2001. We\u2019ll keep an eye on the sky in 2019 and alert you when this home-grown astronaut takes flight!<\/p>\n

Thanks to Jobi Cook, Sandy Canfield, Shannon Culpepper, Lauren Daniel, Lori Davis, Melissa Dowland, Bonnie Eamick, Candis George, Jennifer Gilbreath, Joy Greenwood, D\u2019Nise Hefner, Gail Lemiec, and Kathryn Stevenson for their contributions to this issue. Wishing you all a wonderful summer season!<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

As you explore this new issue of Scotch Bonnet<\/em>, you will notice professional development opportunities and family adventures for everyone. Take advantage of these wonderful conferences, workshops and more, especially if you\u2019re working on your environmental education certification. Keep reading for unique opportunities and ideas for educators. There\u2019s a lot going on in North Carolina and beyond!<\/p>\n


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Blue Heron Bowl Winners<\/h2>\n

go.ncsu.edu\/blueheronbowl18<\/a><\/p>\n

The 2018 Blue Heron Bowl was held on Saturday, February 17, in Wilmington. Hosts included the University of North Carolina Wilmington, the Center for Marine Science, and the Watson School of Education.<\/p>\n

Congratulations to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) for their repeat as Blue Heron Bowl champions! The team told their 2018 Blue Heron Bowl story in a blog post<\/a> for N.C. Sea Grant\u2019s Coastwatch Currents<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The Blue Heron Bowl is a regional marine science quiz bowl. Two teams, each composed of four students and one alternate, square off against each other to answer questions related to marine science. Many of these students are coached by a marine science or general science teacher who sponsors their training. Each match consists of six minutes of toss-up and bonus questions, followed by two team challenge questions, and ends with a final six minutes of toss-up and bonus questions. North Carolina Sea Grant is proud to be a long-time supporter of the Blue Heron Bowl.<\/p>\n

The NCSSM team went on to the national competition, which took place April 19 to 22, in Boulder, Colorado, but did not place in the top eight finishers. Better luck next year!<\/p>\n


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Teacher Professional Development at N.C. Coastal Reserve<\/h2>\n

nccoastalreserve.net<\/a><\/p>\n

What:<\/strong> Teachers on the Estuary
\nWhen:<\/strong> Tuesday, June 19 and Wednesday, June 20; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day
\nWhere:<\/strong> N.C. Coastal Reserve classroom, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort
\nWho:<\/strong> K-12 Classroom Teachers
\nCost:<\/strong>\u00a0FREE<\/p>\n

Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) is a professional development program of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Workshop participants will:<\/p>\n