The COASTAL LEARNING CONFERENCE is Oregon Coast Aquarium's annual professional development opportunity for Oregon educators on the coast and inland. The goal of this conference is to give educators content, activities, and resources to engage students in learning about marine life and ecosystems. Workshops will provide content knowledge, activity ideas, and pedagogical practice delivered by science and education experts. Participants also explore local ecosystems at nearby field trip sites.

COASTAL LEARNING CONFERENCE 2021:

HOW THE OCEAN CAN RENEW JOY IN LEARNING

October 8 Virtual Event

Join us via Zoom to learn how to use coastal and marine ecosystems, animals, and concepts to spark engagement and excitement in your students!

Now, more than ever, we all need to find the joy in learning and teaching again. This year's conference sessions will feature scientists, educators, and other experts as they share what makes them passionate about the ocean and how you can use ocean themes to inspire your diverse student audiences and meet national science standards. You'll walk away with tools, strategies, and curricula you can use in your classroom right away - virtually and in-person.

2021 SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

9:30-10am: Welcome!

Conference goals and procedures

Group Poll: What do you hope to gain today?

The importance of marine education - Sara Roberts, Teacher Programs Manager, Oregon Coast Aquarium

10-10:30am: Morning Breakout Sessions (choose one)

Caring for Seabirds at the Oregon Coast Aquarium - Fun facts about our local seabirds, and some Behind-the-Scenes looks into their care at the Aquarium, from our Curator of Birds!

Secret Lives of Salmon - Learn about the amazing adaptations of this incredible species, how they're uniquely connected to their ecosystems, and preview a NEW 3rd grade salmon program currently under development by Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve and Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Why do whales beach themselves? A phenomenon-based lesson to explore energy pollution - This activity will catch the attention of students by presenting facts about whales and stranding events, asking them to evaluate potential linkage to light, noise, or thermal pollution. It includes a student-designed research proposal as an extension activity.

From Aquatic Introductions to A-Ha! - Marine Discovery Tours has been making aquatic connections for 27 years, both in classroom and public programs. Showcasing our "floating classroom" format, we will use show-and-tell props like student art, activity images, and gear to illustrate our passion for STEAM education, ocean literacy, and free choice learning.

10:30-11:15am: Keynote Speaker - Grace Doleshel, Youth Volunteer Coordinator for Oregon Coast Aquarium

Education through Action: Bridging Science Curriculum and Environmental Activism - Grace will discuss her experience working as a youth activist while also being a student and discuss ways that activism can be incorporated into science curriculum to engage students in environmental conservation both inside and outside of the classroom.

11:15-11:45pm: Networking Session Breakout Rooms

Meet others from your region in these smaller group sessions to connect, share experiences and resources, and gain ideas and strategies for environmental education from each other.

11:45-12:45pm: Break

12:45pm Welcome back!

1-1:30pm: Afternoon Breakout Sessions (choose one)

Raindrop To Sea - What makes a watershed so wonderful? Learn about this vital ecosystem and some of the ways that weather and wildlife interact. You'll also be provided materials from a recently-released program created by Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve and Oregon Coast Aquarium.

The Human SONAR Simulation! - Learn about the application of SONAR in seafloor mapping, and how to conduct your own Human SONAR simulation! Have students the ‘ocean floor’ as sound waves, and then transmit that information to seafloor mappers – What will your team find?

Colorful Coral Reefs - A fascinating overview on what corals are, how they impact our environment, and how we can help protect them, presented by an Oregon Coast Aquarium animal husbandry specialist.

From Aquatic Introductions to A-Ha! - Marine Discovery Tours has been making aquatic connections for 27 years, both in classroom and public programs. Showcasing our "floating classroom" format, we will use show-and-tell props like student art, activity images, and gear to illustrate our passion for STEAM education, ocean literacy, and free choice learning.

1:30-2pm: Teacher resources available from Oregon Coast Aquarium

Learn about all of the teaching and learning resources the Aquarium has to offer, many of them free! Curriculum for every grade level, online expeditions, virtual experiences, and more.

2-2:30pm: Trivia Game - with prizes!

2:30pm: Closing Remarks

We've put together a list of resources for this year's conference -

check it out by clicking here!