2006 Ocean Sciences Meeting SEACOOS Poster - Infusing Cultural Connections to Enhance Science Education: A professional development program for elementary and middle school teachers

For the program on "Enhancing Diversity in Ocean Sciences: Successful Models, Best Practices, Benefits, and Outcomes III Posters," OS35K-02. 2005 Coastal Legacy Program makes science education culturally relevant for 14 teachers of NC, SC, and GA. This professional development model developed by the Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence - SouthEast engages teachers in fundamental science concepts with the rich cultural history of the Low Country and Sea Islands. Coastal Legacy activities comprise a year long program to develop strategies, lessons and networks to increase access to the ocean sciences for underrepresented and underserved populations. We are using science education research on "culturalized science" as the foundation for our efforts. Specifically we are focusing on the retention of African heritage found in the rice industry and the Gullah/Geechee culture as a window to basic science concepts. In the Coastal Legacy Program, teachers learn strategies to capitalize on this understanding, as they experience coastal science, culture, history, and heritage. A series of processes for the development of culturalized program development for the ocean sciences will be provided. *L Spence, E A Rogers, B Tolliver