Tidepools to Telecommunications is a project dedicated to high
school student research in both the marine and cyberspace environment.
During its first year, 2000-4, the emphasis of the project was
a cross-country conference, April 11-12, which introduced students
to the feasibility of doing marine research simultaneously on
the Atlantic and Pacific, as well as the logistics of sharing
the results of this research.
The West Coast site chosen was Friday Harbor, Washington. One
of the most popular resort areas in the Pacific Northwest, San
Juan Island is noted for its summer tourism, transportation by
Washington State Ferries, and its prestigious marine station --University
of Washington, Friday Harbor Labs.
The East Coast site chosen was Woods Hole, Massachusetts. One
of the most popular resort areas on Cape Cod, Woods Hole is noted
for its summer tourism, transportation to Martha's Vineyard and
Nantucket by ferry, and the oldest and most famous marine laboratory
in America, the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole.
Twenty -five students participated from the West Coast, all were
students at Friday Harbor High School. The conference site was
the Friday Harbor Labs , and the dates chosen were April 11-12,
1996. Prior to that time, students worked on web pages, observed
plankton and dock organisms; and, with the assistance of researchers
at the labs, practiced using CU-SeeMe technology. Additonally,
they shared e-mail with students from the East Coast.
Fifty students participated from three different schools in Massachussets:
Governor Dummer Academy, Waring School, and Somerville High School.
Although some East Coast students had shared e-mail prior to the
conference with students in the West, most had little or no computer
background, and most had never spent much time on boat docks or
in the marine environment. However, they were eager to learn and
to become part of a historic event.
Prior to the conference, it was decided each site would have students
work in teams during the conferenceto gather information about
dock organisms, plankton, and physical parameters. Additonally,
all students would share the same literature/biology reading prior
to the conference, and the Woods Hole students would spend some
time at the Marine Resources Center located at the Marine Biological
Labortory.
The following pages show the data obtained from each site during
the conference, as well as photos and student designed web pages.
The wrap-up section will analyze the different schedules, the
different preparation, and the different support provided during
the conference. Recommendations will be made for 2000-3, and input
solicited from other students, teachers and research scientists.
Return to Tidepools to Telecommunications @ 2000 - 4 Archive Home
Page.