The Ocean Observatories Initiative education and Public Engagement Organization: Using real-time data in the undergraduate classroom

Abstract

The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) promises to reshape the way ocean science is conducted by providing ocean researchers with access to near real-time data, the ability to control/configure sensors and mobile assets, high-bandwidth infrastructure for images, powerful cyberinfrastructure, and data visualization and modeling tools to conduct their research. Recent advances in the delivery of web-based education, and the use of visualization technology in educational contexts, have led to the development of on-line platforms for instruction that engage students in active scientific inquiry by collecting and analyzing real world data. The OOI Education and Public Engagement (EPE) Implementing Organization will leverage these technologies for ocean education. EPE will construct a series of software tools and a web-based social network that leverages the OOI Cyberinfrastructure to support engagement of a wide range of users. These tools will enable educators and developers to enhance their undergraduate education programs and engage free choice learners using real-time and streaming data provided by the OOI. EPE will enable a new approach to oceanography research, where scientists, students and the public can explore and research the ocean in real-time from their classrooms, offices, dorm rooms, and even their homes. The face of an oceanographer will be expanded well beyond the professor at sea to to a student at home viewing and analyzing exactly the same data at exactly the same time. In addition to the OOI EPE Implementing Organization (IO), there are additional IOs supporting the OOI construction (Figure 1): Regional Scale Nodes (RSN): RSN will deploy sensors to study Hydrate Ridge, an area of massive sub-seafloor gashydrate deposits, and Axial Seamount, an active submarine volcano. Coastal and Global Scale Nodes (CGSN): CGSN will deploy a global array of moorings and underwater gliders to provide sustained, but adaptable, access to complex coastal and global systems. Cyberinfrastructure (CI): The CI will provide a common operating infrastructure connecting and coordinating the operations of the marine components with the OOI scientific and educational pursuits. Program Management Office (PMO): The OOI program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and managed by the OOI PMO, located at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership (COL) offices in Washington, D.C.