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Collaborative Research: An AUV Investigation of Fluid Expulsion (Past and
Present) in the Large-scale Elongated Gas Blowouts, Offshore Virginia/North
Carolina
Jeffrey Weissel (Principal Investigator)
Marie Cormier (Co-Principal Investigator)
Kori Newman (Graduate Student)
Michael J. Passow (Educational Coordinator)
Abstract
Funds are provided to the PIs from
three oceanographic institutions for a collaborative project to investigate
fluid expulsion processes in the large-scale elongated gas blowouts, offshore
Virginia and North Carolina. Large-scale evacuations resulting from massive gas
expulsion were discovered offshore in the area in year 2000. Progressive
downslope creep within the shelf-edge delta was considered to be responsible for
updip movement of gas and its eventual expulsion. The PIs will undertake a new
shipboard program to acquire high-resolution multibeam bathymetric data over the
blowout sites, survey suspected fluid discharge sites, and collect gravity cores
from shelf edge delta for age control and sediment and pore-water samples. The
objective of the study is to determine if there is present-day discharge of
gas-rich fluids through the floors or sidewalls of the blowouts, or whether
these seepage sites and relict features. The study will contribute to knowledge
of methane venting processes on the margins, which have climatic, geotechnical,
hazards and resource implications.
[http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0242426]
Proposed Workshop Goals Included in the Grant
Proposal
Classroom teachers who are
passionate about their subject can better foster student learning, and one way
to enhance such passion involves bringing teachers and research scientists
together to discuss cutting-edge discoveries. The “Earth2Class (E2C) Workshops
for Educators” at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (Passow, 2002) have
accomplished this over the past few years (Assumpcao, 2002). Building on this
model, it is proposed that concepts and data obtained during this investigation
form the basis for imbuing a core of teachers with greater passion for science
and new knowledge. They, in turn, will develop Standards-based classroom- and
web-based activities and peer training materials, present these to students and
colleagues in various venues, and thereby enhance educational achievements while
disseminating the new discoveries.
Teachers selected for
this program will be Earth Science educators in New York City, surrounding
counties in the New York metropolitan area, and elsewhere in New York State. The
latter come from the network of “Earth Science Subject Area Representatives” of
the Science Teachers Association of New York State. These teachers can help the
project reach many districts with large numbers of students from
underrepresented groups, as well as students from many other parts of the state,
and through web-based approaches, the potential to serve students nationally.
Specifically, 15
selected teachers would participate in a two-day E2C conference at
Lamont-Doherty. Weissel will provide presentations about the MARGINS
investigations. Passow (NYS science educator and coordinator of E2C) will
provide leadership concerning curriculum development and applicable Standards.
Participants would begin development of classroom activities, Internet-based
investigations, and constructed-response assessment items utilizing data and
concepts from the project and other sources during the remainder of this
conference.
Over the following
academic year, participants continue develop of instructional materials,
field-test them with students, and provide peer training through in-district and
regional professional development opportunities. The investigators and Passow
will provide support through electronic exchanges to ensure scientific accuracy
and pedagogical soundness. Participants will meet again during the second year
to share experiences and final products, and to develop further plans that
utilize these materials.
Products will be
also coordinate and disseminated through educational efforts at cooperating
MARGINS institutions, which support this project. In addition, the project will
utilize the Digital Library for Earth Systems Education (DLESE) review system as
an additional effective evaluation mechanism. In these ways, this core of
educators may be able to share these discoveries with hundreds of teachers and
thousands of students.
Assumpcao, C.M., 2002,
“Earth2Class: The Role of Technology in Providing for Science Content Delivery
from the Research Scientist to the Secondary (6 –12) Classroom Teacher.” Ed. D.
Dissertation, Teachers College, Columbia University. 272 pp.
Passow, M. J., et al.,
2002, “Earth2Class: Bringing Together Teachers, Scientists, and Science.” 11th
Symposium on Education, American Meteorological Society, Preprints, pp. 38 – 41.
Workshop Schedule
Sunday, 24 July 22 – St. Thomas Aquinas College – McNelis Commons
4:30 p.m. Check-in
for dormitories begins (McNelis Commons Bldg. 2)
6:00 p.m. Welcome
Dinner (McNelis Commons Private Dining Room)
Monday, 25 July – Lamont Campus Seismology Building Seminar Room
8:00 a.m. Shuttle
pick-up outside McNelis Commons Bldg. 2
Continental breakfast
available (Seismology Bldg.)
9 – 12 noon Dr. Jeff Weissel, Dr. Marie-Helene
Cormier, and Kori Newman will describe the goals,
conditions, and results of the cruise. Teachers will start to consider how such
information might be applied to classroom activities.
12 noon – 1 Lunch in the Lamont Cafeteria
1 – 4:30 p.m. Begin to discuss ways to make the information and
resources
into useful lesson plans.
Tuesday, 26 July – St. Thomas Aquinas College/Lamont Campus
8 a.m.
Continental breakfast available (STAC McNelis Dining Hall)
9 – 12 noon Continue
working on ideas for curriculum units.
12 noon – 1 Box lunches
1 – 4:30 p.m. Complete
curriculum development work; begin discussions
about
follow-up programs.
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