…connecting people around our oceans…

COSEE-OLC’s central premise is that citizens need to become more ocean science literate and informed by current research if they are to be aware of the impact the oceans have on their physical and economic health, and if increased citizen stewardship of the marine environment is to occur.

COSEE-OLC fosterscollaborations among the oceanography research community, the science of learning community, the general public, and the maritime industry. OLC-COSEE leverages the expertise and resources of the College of Education’s NSF-funded Learning in Informal and Formal Environments (LIFE) “Science of Learning” Research Center as well as each of the partners’ existing outreach and educational efforts. COSEE-OLC organizes, cultivates and sustains science-based, ocean-informed Learning Communities composed of diverse stakeholders, including the maritime business community, who will collaborate to promote sound oceans education.

OLC-COSEE’s main catalytic activity is the fostering of Ocean-based Learning Communities, or gatherings of traditionally disparate stakeholders such as scientists, educators, representatives from businesses with a connection to the oceans, and citizens who derive economic or recreational sustenance from the oceans. Through structured learning activities, the communities will develop a common language and a commitment to creating collaborations that will improve ocean research and public awareness at the regional and national levels.

Citizens and scientists will learn together through the Learning Community. Citizens will become citizen-scientists as they learn basic ocean science concepts and terminology. Scientists will learn how to engage citizens. The learning experiences will create a catalytic cycle of change culminating in citizens with the skills, commitment and efficacy to work with the OLC-COSEE partners in creating collaborative, science-based signature projects supporting education and outreach.