NOAA Ocean Exploration Webinar for Educators – Coral Ecosystem Connectivity Expedition 2014: Pulley Ridge to the Florida Keys

August 7, 2014

Example of corals and algae found on Pulley Ridge. Photo Credit: M. Echevarria, Florida Aquarium.

Example of corals and algae found on Pulley Ridge. Photo Credit: M. Echevarria, Florida Aquarium.


The NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research invites formal and informal educators to participate in a webinar to introduce educational resources developed for an ocean exploration mission to the coral reef ecosystems off of southwest Florida. 

From August 14-28, 2014, ocean explorers will be investigating relationships between shallow water coral reefs and deeper, twilight zone (or mesophotic) coral reef ecosystems of the southwest coast of Florida.  Scientists are working to better understand the role that these relatively healthy mesophotic reefs may play in replenishing key fish species and other organisms in the downstream reefs of the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas. Fieldwork will include characterizing the benthic habitat and fish communities using a remotely operated vehicle and deploying drifters to measure currents. Both genetic and ecosystem connectivity will be investigated with the goal of developing new strategies for managing and protecting shallow and deeper water coral ecosystems. 

This 60-minute webinar will provide an introduction to the science behind the expedition and the associated Education Expedition Module, including lessons and other resources to enable you and your students to delve more deeply into the expedition and follow along with us online. Resources presented will be archived for use during the upcoming academic year. 

This cruise is part of a multi-year partnership between the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, NOAA's National Ocean Service, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, and two NOAA Cooperative Institutes: the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies and the Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology.  

 

Title: NOAA Ocean Exploration Webinar for Educators – Coral Ecosystem Connectivity Expedition 2014: Pulley Ridge to the Florida Keys

Date: Thursday, August 7, 2014

Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Please be very aware of the system requirements listed below and ensure they are working prior to the beginning of the Webinar.

 


 

System Requirements

PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Mac®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer

Mobile attendees
Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet