2011 Ocean Literacy Award Given

Homer resident and noted marine science educator Beth Trowbridge received the 2011 Ocean Literacy Award, given for the second year by the Alaska Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) to an Alaskan marine educator who has made significant contributions to awareness and sustainability of the state’s marine resources.

The award was presented January 16 at the Alaska Marine Gala at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. COSEE Alaska is a partnership of science and education groups who receive funding from the National Science Foundation to promote outreach by marine scientists and collaborations between scientist and marine educators.

Partners include the Alaska Sea Grant College Program, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) School of Fisheries and Ocean Science, the UAF Center for Cross-cultural Studies, the Alaska SeaLife Center, and the Alaska Ocean Observing System.

Trowbridge is the program director of the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies (CACS) in Homer where she directs CACS program development and implementation.

Since 2000, Trowbridge has developed more than 35 outstanding CACS programs and curricula that have been used by some 80,000 people since 2000.

Her online oil spill curriculum, the first of its kind in Alaska, is housed by the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council and was used during the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Another breakthrough is her expansion of the Kachemak Bay CoastWalk program of marine debris removal and beach stewardship to coastal communities statewide.

For more information, visit: http://www.coseealaska.net/

source: Alaska Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence