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SMILE: Ocean Acidification Education Program

Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach, Oregon (2024). Credit: Kevin Crosby (Creative Commons)

Why we care
There is an acute disparity in college achievement between rural and urban Oregonians. This project seeks to address gaps in ocean and environmental education and improve outcomes for Oregon’s underserved and rural youth. Particularly relevant to the state is ocean acidification, which imposes a significant threat to Oregon’s marine ecosystems and communities and economies that rely on them. This work increases ocean acidification awareness and literacy of populations that may have little experience of knowledge of this great impact to their state.

What we will do
Oregon State University’s Science Math Investigative Learning Experiences (SMILE) Program provides after-school STEM programs for elementary, middle and high school clubs. SMILE’s goal is to address education gaps and inequities and increase the number of Oregon underrepresented and underserved students who graduate from high school, pursue higher education, and succeed in STEM-related careers. The SMILE team will develop hands-on and grade-level-appropriate educational content that will follow NGSS standards. The team will create content in consultation with Oregon State University and Oregon Sea Grant faculty experts on ocean acidification. The team anticipates reaching 21 teachers (seven elementary, seven middle, and seven high school) and provide approximately 400 students with a series of Ocean and Coastal Acidification Education Experiences.

Educators who participate with SMILE will receive professional development on ocean and coastal acidification and pilot lessons in their after-school STEM clubs. Additionally, they will track student engagement and will provide feedback to inform future improvements. The team will further disseminate to the larger OSU Precollege Programs and partners’ networks. 

Benefits of our work
Teachers with less experience or knowledge with ocean acidification don’t feel comfortable introducing it to their curricula or don’t understand the connection to teaching standards or relevance to students. This OSU SMILE Program project creates access and opportunities that broaden participation and enhance career awareness about ocean acidification for underserved racial/ethnic minority, low-income, first-generation, and other educationally disadvantaged rural students across Oregon.

Investigators
Renee O’Neill, Oregon State University

Image: Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach, Oregon (2024). Credit: Kevin Crosby (Creative Commons)

ADAPTING TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) works to prepare society to adapt to the consequences of ocean acidification and conserve marine ecosystems as acidification occurs. Learn more about the human connections and adaptation strategies from these efforts.

Adaptation approaches fostered by the OAP include:

FORECASTING

Using models and research to understand the sensitivity of organisms and ecosystems to ocean acidification to make predictions about the future, allowing communities and industries to prepare

MANAGEMENT

Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

On the Road

Drive fuel-efficient vehicles or choose public transportation. Choose your bike or walk! Don't sit idle for more than 30 seconds. Keep your tires properly inflated.

With your Food Choices

Eat local- this helps cut down on production and transport! Reduce your meat and dairy. Compost to avoid food waste ending up in the landfill

With your Food Choices

Make energy-efficient choices for your appliances and lighting. Heat and cool efficiently! Change your air filters and program your thermostat, seal and insulate your home, and support clean energy sources

By Reducing Coastal Acidification

Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats

TAKE ACTION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

You've taken the first step to learn more about ocean acidification - why not spread this knowledge to your community?

Every community has their unique culture, economy and ecology and what’s at stake from ocean acidification may be different depending on where you live.  As a community member, you can take a larger role in educating the public about ocean acidification. Creating awareness is the first step to taking action.  As communities gain traction, neighboring regions that share marine resources can build larger coalitions to address ocean acidification.  Here are some ideas to get started:

  1. Work with informal educators, such as aquarium outreach programs and local non-profits, to teach the public about ocean acidification. Visit our Education & Outreach page to find the newest tools!
  2. Participate in habitat restoration efforts to restore habitats that help mitigate the effects of coastal acidification
  3. Facilitate conversations with local businesses that might be affected by ocean acidification, building a plan for the future.
  4. Partner with local community efforts to mitigate the driver behind ocean acidification  – excess CO2 – such as community supported agriculture, bike & car shares and other public transportation options.
  5. Contact your regional Coastal Acidification Network (CAN) to learn how OA is affecting your region and more ideas about how you can get involved in your community
       More for Taking Community Action