Presentation Abstract
The Highline Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST) is the marine biology and aquarium facility of Highline College in Des Moines, Washington, located on the south-central Puget Sound. Dedicated to expanding knowledge about Puget Sound, a central mission of the MaST Center is fostering a culture of marine stewardship by engaging the community through interactive learning, personal relations and exploration. The development of program curriculum designed around Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) targeted at elementary and middle school students, summer camp students, and aquarium guests exemplifies these efforts. The MaST Center has been hosting informal educational programs linked to National Science Standards and Ocean Literacy Principals since 2008. ROV technology has become more popular due to its science and engineering principals that school aged children can learn. Due to this high demand for hands-on education featuring ROVs, the MaST Education staff has designed curriculum for an after school elementary school club, a three hour on-site middle school program, a week long summer camp program, and public involvement during open aquarium hours. The overarching objective of these programs is to have students gain experience designing and assembling their own ROVs to complete underwater missions. In addition to building their own ROVs, students, aquarium volunteers, and members of the public have the opportunity to use a $10,000 Aquabotix ROV to explore the underwater habitats of Redondo Beach, WA with video streaming capabilities. This poster presentation details how a small marine facility engages school students and the public about ROV technology and ocean exploration. We also discuss the successes of our students and their completed projects.
Session Title
Posters: Collaboration & Engagement
Keywords
ROV, technology, education, robotics, ocean exploration, curriculum, aquarium, NextGeneration Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principals
Conference Track
SSE18: Posters
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE18-24
Start Date
5-4-2018 11:30 AM
End Date
5-4-2018 1:30 PM
Type of Presentation
Poster
Genre/Form
posters; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Vehicles, Remotely piloted; Marine biology--Study and teaching--Activity programs--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Puget Sound (Wash.); Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Engaging local students and aquarium visitors through ROV technology
The Highline Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST) is the marine biology and aquarium facility of Highline College in Des Moines, Washington, located on the south-central Puget Sound. Dedicated to expanding knowledge about Puget Sound, a central mission of the MaST Center is fostering a culture of marine stewardship by engaging the community through interactive learning, personal relations and exploration. The development of program curriculum designed around Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) targeted at elementary and middle school students, summer camp students, and aquarium guests exemplifies these efforts. The MaST Center has been hosting informal educational programs linked to National Science Standards and Ocean Literacy Principals since 2008. ROV technology has become more popular due to its science and engineering principals that school aged children can learn. Due to this high demand for hands-on education featuring ROVs, the MaST Education staff has designed curriculum for an after school elementary school club, a three hour on-site middle school program, a week long summer camp program, and public involvement during open aquarium hours. The overarching objective of these programs is to have students gain experience designing and assembling their own ROVs to complete underwater missions. In addition to building their own ROVs, students, aquarium volunteers, and members of the public have the opportunity to use a $10,000 Aquabotix ROV to explore the underwater habitats of Redondo Beach, WA with video streaming capabilities. This poster presentation details how a small marine facility engages school students and the public about ROV technology and ocean exploration. We also discuss the successes of our students and their completed projects.
