Kevin Schabow-NOAA Chesapeake Bay OfficeJosh Falk-Smithsonian Env. Research CenterCat Stylinski-UMCES Appalachian Lab
Innovative Approaches to the
Meaningful Watershed Educational
Experience (MWEE)
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Presentation Outline
• Background to the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience
• Overview of NOAA B-WET Program• Spotlight MWEE Programs
-Student Training in Aquatic Research (SERC)-Mapping and Monitoring Maryland Streams (UMCES Appalachian Lab)
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Chesapeake Bay Program Governor of MD Governor of VA Governor of PA
Executive Council
Mayor of DC
Chair of Chesapeake
Bay Commission
EPA Administrator
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Bay Program Education Commitments
Endorsed by Governors of the Bay Watershed and DC Mayor
• Keystone Commitment signed in 2000“Beginning with the class of 2005, provide a meaningful Bay or
stream outdoor experience for every school student in the watershed before graduation from high school.”
• Endorsement of the MWEE (Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience)- January 2005
Science, Service, & Stewardship
What is a MWEE?
• Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience• Investigative or Project-oriented• 3 Phases: Preparation, Action, & Reflection• Integral, Sustained Part
of Instructional Program• Studies Watershed as a System –
Projects not always on Bay• External Sharing & Communication
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Science, Service, & Stewardship
NOAA B-WET• Began in Chesapeake Region in 2002 to support
MWEE implementation
• Has expanded to 5 other regions-California, Hawai’i, Pacific NW, Gulf of Mexico, New England
• Variations on a theme:– All programs focus on
meaningful watershed experiences
– Specific implementation tailored to local needs
– Built upon established NOAA presence
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Educational Programming of NCBO
Experiential Learning for K-12 Classrooms
B-WET
In-Depth Studies in High School
Emerging Scientist Project
NOAA Internships College and Early Career
Community EngagementNEMO, Environmental
Science Training Center
Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System
Curricula, Web-Based Investigations
NOAA @ NauticusExhibits, Lecture Series,
Education Resource CenterStrategic Initiatives
• Summer Camps• Learning through Observations• Collaboration
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Chesapeake B-WET Awards
• Priority Areas defined each year by FFO
• 1 to 3 year Cooperative Agreements
• $25,000 - $200,000 grants based upon priority area
• Eligible organizations:- K-12 schools & school divisions, colleges, State & local
agencies, & non-profits
• Examples of Funded Projects: bay grass or riparian forest restoration, storm water management, schoolyard habitat & fisheries research
Science, Service, & Stewardship
NOAA B-WET Funding by State
0
1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
6,000,000
Fund
ing
2008 252,631 927,988 407,550 604,777 136,731 0 0 217,328
2007 155,670 722,312 214,715 665,392 0 0 0 185,750
2006 219,600 914,718 342,252 713,686 0 0 16,400 262,525
2005 230,615 824,582 188,879 567,437 90,448 40,463 0 263,750
2004 176,430 956,693 91,325 485,993 86,854 54,066 0 343,915
2003 173,967 711,363 94,375 565,828 13,945 0 0 259,484
2002 135,000 754,981 160,037 178,636 0 0 0 135,000
DC MD PA VA WV DE NY Multi-State
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Priority Areas
Science, Service, & Stewardship
MWEEs for Students
High-quality projects that provide opportunities for K-12 students to participate in MWEEs when the applicant can demonstrate that it is not possible or in the projects best interest to meet the criteria of an exemplary program.
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Teacher Professional Development
•Provide K-12 teachers opportunities for professional development when the applicant can demonstrate that it is not possible or in the projects best interest to meet the criteria of an exemplary program. •Multi-day professional development opportunities with continual support •Reinforces teacher's ability to teach, inspire, and lead young people toward thoughtful stewardship of our natural resources.
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Exemplary Programs
Programs combining Teacher Professional Development with long-term classroom-integrated MWEEs for their Students
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Science, Service, & Stewardship
Proving Success: MWEE Evaluation
• Purpose: Evaluate the effectiveness of the program design
• Goal: To determine if meaningful watershed experiences supported by NOAA B-WET increase the stewardship ethic and/or academic achievement of students
• Partnership Effort: Funded by NOAA, Chesapeake Bay Trust & Keith Campbell Foundation
• Students receiving meaningful experiences increased in environmental stewardship qualities– Intention to Act to protect Chesapeake Bay– Knowledge of issues confronting watershed– Knowledge of actions in which they can engage to protect watershed
• Teachers receiving B-WET training:– Increased confidence in their ability to deliver experiences– Increased likelihood of implementing experiences
• Almost all teachers taught about the Bay after the PD, including large majority of teachers who had not done so before training
• 3/4 of teachers used the outdoors to teach about the watershed• 1/3 implemented complete meaningful watershed experiences