Casey, K.S., NOAA National Oceanographic Data Center, Silver Spring MD, USA, 
kenneth.casey@noaa.gov
Martin, M.J., NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries Program, Silver Spring MD, USA, 
michiko.martin@noaa.gov

IMPROVING OCEAN LITERACY THROUGH ONLINE ACCESS TO OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA AND INFORMATION

In recent years, it has become clear that an engaged, educated, and 
scientifically literate public is needed to successfully protect, 
restore, and manage our Nation's coastal and ocean resources.  
This need is addressed in the recent U.S. Ocean Commission Report, 
the NOAA Strategic Plan, the draft Strategic Plan for the U.S. 
Integrated Earth Observation System, and many other reports and 
planning documents.  Meeting this need requires multiple, coordinated 
components spanning formal and informal educational activities. An 
important piece is to engage students and the public by delivering to 
them scientific quality oceanographic data in simple and understandable 
ways. Dynamic, near real time data must be emphasized as well as static 
case studies that clearly illustrate particular topics.  Techniques for 
accessing ocean data and information across the Internet will be 
presented, with a focus on those that conform to the standards being 
developed and adopted by the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System and 
the international Global Earth Observing System of Systems.

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/sog/pathfinder4km/ASLO2005

Submitted to: SS49 An Ocean Literacy Campaign.
Oral
Casey, K.S.