An Open letter to
water-based program providers: At several conferences attended
over the past year (ASTA, SSW, SEAS and through
my involvement with SENEME (South Eastern New
England Marine Education Organization) as a
chapter of NMEA (National Marine Education
Association) conversations have revolved around
the issue of bringing together people from all
aspects of maritime life to get the truest
possible exchange of ideas. Groups that have been
named include teachers, principals,
administrators, college and university
professors, marine researchers, volunteer
monitoring groups, deckhands, mates, captains,
professional fisherman, lobsterman and shell fishermen, trades people, craftsman and
commercial marina operators.
All too often it seems that, despite similar
interests, many of these groups do not regularly
interact. Time, circumstance and distance too
often seem to erect invisible yet real barriers
to communication. It is my hope that by utilizing
the respective networks of ASTA, StStW, NMEA,
SENEME, SEAS and other organizations that we can
bring together all of the groups for a tremendous
exchange of resources at the NMEA conference in
New London, CT from July 20th to 27th
2002.
After discussions with the committee regarding
the interests of the SSW group and the
potential interests of other marine education
organizations operating vessels the "idea
plan" came into being. We are currently
working from a "Conference within a
Conference" theme, trying to blend the needs
of our group with the needs of other groups and
are very open to new ideas. Furthermore, we know
that not everyone would be able to do each part
but hope that everyone will be involved in to
whatever capacity they are able.
The Conference Ideas:
Although the conference runs for 7 days, the
main thrust of our involvement would be on
Tuesday July 23. This day fits well within the
conference schedule and provide maximum benefit
to all.
On the 23rd typical
"conference" style presentations will
be conducted through the day. Ship based
education programs would be the focus of the
morning discussions. In the evening, the
conference participants will be heading to Mystic
Seaport for a lobster bake. The ultimate
goal is to bring as many of the conference
participants to Mystic by water with each
highlighting their own educational programs along
the way. Docking for all ships in Mystic
Seaport has been arranged.
On the 24th we would like to invite
ships to return to New London. Ships could be
open informally throughout the day to allow
conference participants a chance to visit ships
they didnt sail on the previous day.
The rest of the conference schedule is
available on-line on the SENEME pages hosted by
Project Oceanology.
For those who would like to take a look at
conference summaries from the Ships to Save the
Waters Conferences in 2000 and 2001, look on-line
at http://www.ernestina.org/StStW.html
and follow the links.
Please call or e-mail comments, questions,
concerns and criticisms to Christopher Newlan: educator@schoonersoundlearning.org
or (203) 865-1737 or by fax at (203) 624-8816.
Fair winds,
Chris Newlan
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