conservation, marine ecology, education, STEM, research

Ecology Boosts Math, Reading (and More)

Catherine E. Christopher, Ocean First Education

How many blue whales are there? Where do they go in the winter? What happens if the plankton population they rely on for food is depleted?

marine science, conservation, education, ocean literacy

Ocean Issues are Everyone's Issues

Marlee Glasgow, Ocean First Education Advocate

Climate change is very much a young people issue. Worrying stats such as, “by 2050, fish stocks will effectively disappear” has a real affect on our lives. It has me thinking about what my dinner menu will look like when I am nearing retirement age.

The Power of Knowledge

Michael Rice, Ocean First Education

“Scientia potentia est” - Latin aphorism

“Scientia potentia est” or “knowledge is power” holds true for many things. That is why to be a good salesperson you need to know your customer or why good politicians are always trying to learn more about their constituency.

conservation, marine science, education, ocean literacy

Education is Key

Dr. Caine Delacy, Ocean First Education

No Blue- No Green! That's what intrepid underwater National Geographic explorer and former Chief scientist for NOAA Dr. Sylvia Earle has said time and time again. Yet this message still falls on deaf ears, especially in our political circus.

conservation, education, marine science, ocean literacy

Why I'm an Advocate for Our Oceans (From CO, No Less!)

Paul Hilbink, Ocean First Education

I grew up on Lake Michigan. Our lives revolved around the water – swimming, sailing, and waterskiing. We listened to the Beach Boys and wore Vans. That first beer, that first kiss – it all took place at the beach.

conservation, marine science, education, ocean literacy

Ocean Conservation from Colorado

Gretchen Heine, Ocean First Education Parent and Ocean Conservationist

The ocean has played an important role in my life. A short 2 hour drive from my childhood home in Oregon, I spent many weekends combing the beach for seashells, digging for clams, and pulling up crab pots from the sea.

360 video, marine science, virtual reality, video, education

360 Degrees of Perspective

Klara Fejer, Ocean First Education

Prepare your senses for the world of the unknown. Being underwater is an immersion into a completely dynamic environment; a parallel where front and back are interchangeable and up and down are a matter of perspective.

360 video, marine science, virtual reality, video, calssroom

360 Video: Bringing a New Ocean Experience Into the Classroom

Andrea Schmuttermair, Ocean First Education Contributing Educator

Smiles. Laughter. Excited voices. Jumping out of seats. Those are the signs we teachers look for in an engaged classroom. Whether it is the beginning of a new unit, or the middle of a deep discussion, student engagement is an important factor in learning.

Caribbean Sea, Indo-Pacific Ocean, coral reef, evolution, ecology

Coral Reef Diversity

Dr. Caine Delacy, Ocean First Education

There are many drivers of change in our natural environments. Some happen over long periods of time and some can happen very quickly. Changes that occur naturally happen over long periods of time - millions of years - and have led to what we see today.

research, marine science, eduation, coral reefs, study

ICRS 2016, The 13th International Coral Reef Symposium

Dr. Caine Delacy, Ocean First Education

Last week I was lucky to represent Ocean First Education at the largest gathering of coral reef scientists in the world. Every four years scientists, fisheries, conservation, management, and policy experts from around the world gather to talk coral reefs.

education, marine science, conservation, field trip

Inquiring Minds

Catherine E. Christopher, Ocean First Education

Inquiring minds want to know, “Why marine science out of Boulder, CO?” Such was the question asked by students at the Watershed School in Boulder. To assuage their curiosity, two students spent A Day in the Life at Ocean First.

An Evolving Ocean

Dr. Caine Delacy, Ocean First Education

The oceans have played a key role as the epicenter of evolution many times. First, as an incubator allowing animal groups to evolve. Second, as a refuge as the habitability of land masses became compromised during mass extinctions.

marine science, biodiversity, conservation

The Most Important Organism in the Ocean

Catherine E. Christopher, Ocean First Education

So, what is the most important living thing in the ocean? Perhaps it is the magnificent blue whale? Blue whales are the largest living animals on Earth. The average blue whale reaches lengths of almost 100 feet, or 30 meters, and can weight up to 170 tons.

earth day, discovery education, marine science

Behind the Scenes with Discovery Education

Graham Casden, Ocean First Education

Who said Colorado is 1,000 miles from the sea? Isn’t it a matter of perspective and, more importantly, timing? One would normally be hard pressed to refute the geographical certainty of Colorado relative to the ocean, but if you asked the question one hundred million years ago, you’d get a very different answer.

Marine Science

Why Marine Science?

Lindsey Ray, Marine Science Enthusiast

Like many people, my fascination for the ocean began on vacation. Born and raised in Colorado, vacations almost always entailed going to the beach. Whether it was snorkeling in the Bahamas, swimming with sea turtles in Maui, or watching the Shamu show at SeaWorld, every time we visited the coast, I became increasingly captivated by the ocean and the organisms it housed.