Ocean Observatories Initiative Activities at Ocean Sciences 2014
The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) has a number of informational exchange opportunities planned for Ocean Sciences 2014 this month including Town Hall events focused on OOI data and utilizing observatories in the Northeast Pacific to advance science.
The Ocean Sciences 2014 Meeting, Feb. 23-28 in Honolulu, Hawaii offers the opportunity for members of the scientific community to meet with OOI Team, hear about current status and opportunities to use data as it becomes available. Some pre-commissioned data is now available for components of the OOI via the OOI website.
The OOI Team will host a Data Town Hall meeting at Ocean Sciences on Mon., Feb. 24, providing the community a forum for discussion on optimizing OOI data. Details of that event are listed below. In addition, the OOI Team will participate in a joint Town Hall with Ocean Networks Canada on Wed., Feb 26, focusing on using ocean observatories, including the OOI, located in the Northeast Pacific to advance science.
In addition to the formal events, the OOI will have an exhibit booth at Ocean Sciences with program members on hand to provide OOI updates and take questions and comments from those interested in learning more about the observatory. The OOI booth will be located at space #35 in the Exhibit Hall.
Also during the Ocean Sciences Meeting, members of the OOI Education and Public Engagement Team are presenting posters and offering talks on topics including how the OOI data can best be utilized in the undergraduate classroom. Full details of those events are listed below.
OOI Events include the following:
OOI DATA TOWN HALL
Date/Time: Mon. Feb. 24, 6:30 – 9:30pm
Location: Room 313B
Title: Optimizing Data Return From the Ocean Observatories Initiative
Description: Join an open forum town hall discussion on optimizing data from the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI). Discussion topics will include pre-deployment testing and calibration of sensors, sensor cross-calibration, data management approaches, and the initial approaches for data quality control during the transition from construction to operations in 2015. The discussion also will address the opportunities for community input on data obtained with OOI sensors, especially from scientists with expertise with sensors that do not have a lengthy history of extended ocean deployment. Members of the OOI team will use examples of OOI data returned from initial deployments to illustrate data opportunities as well as data issues to address.
JOINT ONC-OOI TOWN HALL
Date/Time: Wed. Feb. 26, 12:45 – 1:45pm; LUNCH PROVIDED
Location: Room 314
Title: Using Ocean Observatories in the NE Pacific to Advance Science
Description: Join a town hall presentation on the infrastructure and data products of the OOI and Ocean Networks Canada, as well as how the combined assets of these two observatories in the Northeast Pacific can help advance science in that region. The Town Hall will provide an open forum discussion on making the most effective use of data from the observatories.
OOI Education and Public Engagement Team events include the following:
TITLE: LEVERAGING OCEAN OBSERVATORIES AND WEB-BASED EDUCATIONAL TOOLS FOR SUSTAINED UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN OCEAN SCIENCE
DATE/TIME/LOCATION: Monday Feb 24, 8:45am
SESSION TYPE: Presentation
SESSION 132: Undergraduate ocean science education in the 21st century: an exploration of successful practices
AUTHORS: Glenn, S.; Schofield, O.; Kohut, J.;
INSTITUTIONS: Rutgers University
ABSTRACT 16565:
We have implemented an ocean science research course sequence that enables undergraduate students to participate in scientific inquiry using real-time and historical ocean observatory data as early as their freshman year. The sequence clusters students in small teams lead by an upperclass mentor. Students use educational tools produced by the NSF Ocean Observing Initiative (OOI) to organize their research, explore observatory data to create new knowledge, and share their discoveries with peers and prominent guest speakers. Freshman research skills-building courses act as feeders. Barriers to participation are reduced through web-based tools that enable data exploration without requiring extensive programming skills. Research themes leverage ongoing ocean glider datastreams for regional applications in the Mid-Atlantic, the extreme environment of the Antarctic, and exploration of the global ocean. The current global focus is path-planning and model-data comparisons for a fleet of gliders circling the major ocean basins. Student participation has grown and stabilized around 70 students per semester, and include a broad range of science and non-science majors. Ocean science majors entering leading graduate schools or joining the oceanographic workforce continue to increase.
TITLE: THE OOI EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT TEAM: REAL-TIME OCEAN DATA COMING SOON TO AN UNDERGRADUATE CLASSROOM NEAR YOU
DATE/TIME/LOCATION: Monday Feb 24, 4:00 – 6:00pm
SESSION TYPE: Poster
SESSION 105: Real-Time Data, Technology, and Engineering for Ocean Science Education and Outreach
POSTER #: 1761
AUTHORS: Crowley, M. F.; Glenn, S. M.; McDonnell, J.; Lichtenwalner, C. S.; deCharon, A.;
INSTITUTIONS: Rutgers University, University of Maine
ABSTRACT 16101:
The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) promises to reshape the way ocean science is conducted by providing ocean researchers with access to near real-time data, the ability to control sensors and mobile assets, and data visualization and modeling tools to conduct their research. Recent advances in web-based education, and the use of visualization technology in educational contexts, have led to the development of online platforms for instruction that engage students in active scientific inquiry by collecting and analyzing real-world data. The OOI Education and Public Engagement (EPE) team is leveraging these technologies for ocean education. EPE is constructing software tools that will enable educators to enhance their undergraduate education programs using real-time data provided by the OOI and other sources. EPE will enable a new approach to oceanography research, where scientists, students and the public can explore and research the ocean in real-time from their classrooms, dorm rooms, and homes. The face of an oceanographer will be expanded well beyond a professor at sea to a student at home viewing and analyzing exactly the same data at exactly the same time.
TITLE: EDUCATIONAL VISUALIZATION: SUPPORTING STUDENT KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT WITH ONLINE INTERACTIVE OCEAN DATA TOOLS DATE/TIME/LOCATION: Monday Feb 24, 4:00 – 6:00pm
SESSION TYPE: Poster
SESSION 105: Real-Time Data, Technology, and Engineering for Ocean Science Education and Outreach
POSTER #: 1763
AUTHORS: Lichtenwalner, C. S.; McDonnell, J.; Mills, M.; Crowley, M. F.; Glenn, S. M.;
INSTITUTIONS: Rutgers University
ABSTRACT 16306:
The stories of science are written with data. Ocean observing systems (OOS) are advancing our understanding of the natural world by amassing large quantities of data to address ever more complex processes, however, students often lack the ability to adequately analyze and synthesize these data into scientific understanding. Students learn best when provided with inquiry-driven learning opportunities, in which they can conduct their own research and develop their own questions. Unfortunately, to make meaning from oceanographic datasets, they must also be able to create and interpret graphs, which has traditionally required students to learn complex software or programming languages to do so. As part of the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a suite of educational data visualization tools are being developed that allow undergraduate students to interact with data from a variety of ocean observing platforms in intuitive and engaging ways. Our design philosophy requires tools to be simple to use, interactive to support deeper understanding, customizable by educators to emphasize specific learning objectives, embeddable within the context of other learning materials, and focused primarily on the educational needs of students.
TITLE: DEVELOPING ONLINE TOOLS TO SUPPORT THE VISUALIZATION OF OCEAN DATA FOR EDUCATIONAL APPLICATIONS
DATE/TIME/LOCATION: Monday Feb 24, 4:00 – 6:00pm
SESSION TYPE: Poster
SESSION 105: Real-Time Data, Technology, and Engineering for Ocean Science Education and Outreach
POSTER #: 1767
AUTHORS: Mills, M. P.; Lichtenwalner, C. S.; McDonnell, J.; Crowley, M.; Glen, S.;
INSTITUTIONS: Rutgers University
ABSTRACT 17555:
Data from Ocean Observing Systems can be used to provide rich opportunities for students to learn about ocean processes much as scientists do, provided students are able to interact with and visualize data in meaningful ways. As part of the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), we have developed an Educational Visualization (EV) framework that provides a platform for web developers to build interactive tools to support the ocean sciences community. Developers can use the framework to build new and exciting web-based tools. Educators can use these tools to generate custom interactive data visualizations, personalizing the data students use based on location or areas of interest. And students can interact with the visualization tools, at varying levels of complexity. EV is built using open-source JavaScript based libraries, including jQuery, which provides the core functionality for data requests, layout arrangement, and styling, and D3, which provides the easy-to-use foundation for the interactive visualization elements. The EV system supports the latest web standards, including HTML5, CSS3, and SVG and can easily be extended as technology continues to evolve.
TITLE: DEVELOPING A RANGE OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION LEARNING TOOLS
DATE/TIME/LOCATION: Monday Feb 24, 4:00 – 6:00pm
SESSION TYPE: Poster
SESSION 105: Real-Time Data, Technology, and Engineering for Ocean Science Education and Outreach
POSTER #: 1764
AUTHORS: Schofield, O. M.; Richter, K.; Glenn, S. M.; McDonnell, J.;
INSTITUTIONS: Rutgers University
ABSTRACT 16821:
Ocean acidification provides an unique focus for such efforts given the inherent interdisciplinary nature of the problem. We have been developing undergraduate teaching materials that can be utilized and shared to increase understanding and applications of scientific data through blended learning tools to provide cost effective educational platforms that combines classroom training, e-learning, mentoring, and information sharing capability. We have leveraged opportunities through the NSF-funded Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence Networked Ocean World and the Ocean Observing Initiative Education and Public Engagement Program (OOI EPE). Our group is an “Early Adopter” for the OOI EPE team, allowing us to utilize and “test” the learning tools being constructed by OOI. Our tools provide 1) context with online video lecture modules for ocean acidification, 2) engage the students using the concept mapping, 3) have students explore using a series of data visualization modules, and 4) synthesize the materials through a series of guided inquiry materials. The entire system is integrated into a single online lab lesson. We have tested online OA materials in a series of educational workshops.
DATE/TIME/LOCATION: Monday Feb 24, 4:00 – 6:00pm
SESSION TYPE: Poster
SESSION 132: Undergraduate ocean science education in the 21st century: an exploration of successful practices
POSTER #: 1965
AUTHORS: McDonnell, J. D.; Lichtenwalner, C. S.; Ferraro, C.; Glenn, S.
INSTITUTIONS: Rutgers University
ABSTRACT 17124:
Ocean Observing Systems (OOS) are advancing our understanding of the natural world by accumulating large quantities of data to address complex oceanographic processes. Utilizing these high volumes of data for research and education increases both challenges and opportunities to analyze and synthesize these data into scientific understanding. The Lab Lesson Builder (LLB) is a web-based tool to develop problem-based activities for undergraduate students, using real-time data to investigate real-world phenomena. LLB activities are intended to be delivered online and consist of student centered learning projects that demonstrate the application of a science concept or theme. They are designed to be used within a single class period or as a homework assignment. Each activity focuses on a core idea in oceanography, incorporating data from OOS, laboratory studies or numerical models, as well as videos, animations and conceptual diagrams, providing context to the science concepts or processes that are relevant to students learning. In this session, we will discuss the usability of these lessons and strategies to help students and professors utilize the data coming from the OOI in undergraduate teaching environments.
The OOI continues to conduct outreach to the community and the public and welcomes comment, feedback and questions via the OOI website in the Comment and Question section.