Workshops
(all workshops are free but require preregistration)

#1 COSEE-NE: Telling Your Story Workshop
Half Day: Monday, September 18, 2006, 8:30 a.m. -noon

Most scientists and engineers are accustomed to presenting their research to colleagues or lecturing college or graduate students, but when asked to speak in front of a classroom full of elementary school or junior high school students, many feel considerably less comfortable. How should they prepare? What should they say? What types of questions are the students likely to ask? The Telling Your Story (TYS) workshop, developed by the New England Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE-NE) gives you new ideas and tools to answer these questions.

This workshop prepares you to develop the story of your research, your career, and your organization so that when you visit a classroom or present to a younger or lay audience you will be able to convey the importance and context of your work. Hands-on activities and practical guidelines, plus time to actually work with and strategize with experienced classroom teachers make this workshop valuable for any scientist, engineer, or technician who wants to learn how to communicate their work better. For participants who are interested and who live or work in the greater Boston area, we will assist them in making connections with K-12 teachers who wish to host a classroom visit. Learn more about TYS and read what participants in earlier workshops have said about their experience at http://necosee.net/edu_project_3/index.php.

#2 Future Development and Application of Crittercam in Marine Science
Half Day: Monday, September 18, 2006, 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

National Geographic's Remote Imaging Program is dedicated to developing and applying cutting-edge imaging technology to study wild animal behavior. The program's flagship, CRITTERCAM, is an animal-borne imaging and data-logging system that, over the last two decades, has provided novel insights into the secret lives of some 50 species of whales, seals, sharks, turtles - and the charismatic emperor penguin. This workshop will provide an in-depth look at the role of animal-borne imaging in marine behavioral ecology studies by bringing together CRITTERCAM's inventor, Greg Marshall, shark biologist Dr. Phillip Lobel and Hydro Technologies? Corey Jaskolski to present the history, the biology and the technical evolution of CRITTERCAM in ocean sciences. Greg Marshall will present the theory & practice of the CRITTERCAM concept as it has evolved over the last two decades with particular emphasis on biological insights gained by progressive technical developments of CRITTERCAM systems and attachment methods. Dr. Phillip Lobel will present his long-term study on the movement patterns of the grey reef shark, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, at Johnston Atoll and the Islands of Palau and will detail the contributions gained by animal-borne imaging technology.Looking toward the future, Greg will present the new generation of CRITTERCAM systems and Corey Jaskolski of Hydro Technologies will demonstrate the Crittercam 3D Dive Profiling software, a cooperative effort between National Geographic and Hydro Technologies, which will allow scientists to visualize the complex, multi-dimensional data recorded by CRITTERCAM. The fusion of video, sensor data, and 3D visualization technologies allow for a complete and immersive representation of a marine CRITTERCAM deployment.Greg Marshall, National Geographic Society, Remote Imaging Program;
Dr. Phillip Lobel, Boston University; Corey Jaskolski, Hydro Technologies

#3 Real-time current measurements from Coast Guard navigation buoys in ports, bays, and the coastal ocean
Half Day: Monday, September 18, 2006, 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Real-time current velocity measurements are becoming an increasingly vital requirement for the safety and management of ports, bays, and the coastal ocean.  These data are used by ship pilots, search and rescue crews, environmental spills teams, research scientists, and the public.  However, there are many obstacles to installing and maintaining an operational system in these environments. 

One solution to obtaining real-time current measurements is the ATON System.  The ATON System is comprised of an acoustic Doppler current profiler mounted with a specially designed clamp to a US Coast Guard Aid-to-Navigation buoy.  The data are transmitted from the buoy to shore via RF, GSM or satellite modems.  The system has been approved by the Coast Guard for and is presently in operational use by federal and commercial clients in several ports nationwide.  The ATON System is particularly effective because it allows direct measurement of currents in highly desirable, but otherwise difficult, locations, such as in navigation channels where additional surface buoys would not be permitted.
 
The workshop will present an overview of the ATON System, including the following topics:

• Coast Guard approved mounting system
• Real-time telemetry system
• Data quality evaluation
• Operational considerations
• Equipment service schedule
• Coast Guard cooperation
  

ATON System users will be available to present practical experiences and share their knowledge base.

The conclusion of the workshop will be an open forum to discuss the group's requirements for real-time current measurements in ports, bays, and the coastal ocean, including what products, technology and support are available to meet these requirements.

Biographies:

Mr. Eric Siegel is the general manager of NortekUSA, a leading manufacturer of acoustic Doppler oceanographic equipment for current and wave measurements in the ocean, lake and laboratory.  Eric has a background in research and operational physical oceanography, having worked in university and government environments on both the East and West coasts.  He holds an M.S. in Marine Science (Physical Oceanography) from the University of South Florida.

Dr. Bruce Magnell is a Senior Scientist/Senior Oceanographer for the Woods Hole Group, a consulting company specializing in applied physical oceanographic measurements, as well as real-time, marine environmental information systems to support drilling and ship operations for oil companies, port and harbor navigability, weather and ocean forecasting, and ocean resource management.  The Woods Hole Group is contracted to support several of the ATON Systems for the NOAA PORTS Program.  Bruce holds an Sc.D. in Physical Oceanography from the MIT/WHOI joint program.