During the week of July 19-22, nine teachers from across Maine had the opportunity to conduct and analyze fieldwork and learn about important ocean issues alongside Bigelow Laboratory scientists as part of the seventh annual BLOOM (Bigelow Laboratory Orders of Magnitude) Educators’ Program. The program provides teachers with training, tools, and direct research experience, so that they are better equipped to teach about complicated ocean science issues. In addition, participants receive curriculum materials and aquatic field sampling and laboratory equipment for use in their classrooms, as well as a commitment to provide follow-up support during the academic year.
Bigelow Laboratory scientists Dr. David Fields and Dr. Nicole Poulton lead the program. Poulton explains, “The Program is unique as it provides educators with ocean literacy to use in their science curriculum, highlighting the importance of the oceans in our everyday lives.” Fields adds, “Allowing teachers to come in and collect and analyze actual data allows them to look at the data in a textbook with the intellectual power that goes into having firsthand experience researching an underlying phenomenon.”
The nine Maine teachers who participated in the 2016 “Exploring Oceanography” BLOOM Educators’ Program are:

• Misty Conrath from Bangor High School Bangor, Maine
• Susan Gramlich from Penquis Valley High School Milo, Maine
• Nitisha Mitchell from Bangor High School Bangor, Maine
• John Van Dis from Edna Drinkwater School Northport, Maine
• Todd Siekman from Gould Academy Bethel, Maine
• Michelle Colbry from Searsport District M/HS Searsport, Maine
• Seth Walton from Medomak Valley High School Waldoboro, Maine
• Nicole Danielson from Maple Tree Community School Readfield, Maine
• Jon Ramgren from Waterville Senior High School Waterville, Maine