Abstract:
The Cooperative Institute for Oceanographic Satellite Studies
(CIOSS) partners with The Science and Math Investigative Learning
Experiences (SMILE) Program to bring ocean sciences and satellite
oceanography to high school students and teachers around the
state of Oregon. This study was conducted as a formative program
assessment during the third year of this partnership. Small group
(2-4 person) interviews were conducted with 20 SMILE high school
teachers during a professional development workshop in February,
2007. Interview questions focused on usage and understanding of
select framing and content terms: ocean literacy, remote sensing and
satellite oceanography. Responses from these interviews, as well
as individual interviews with a SMILE staff member, former SMILE
graduate assistant, and representative from CIOSS, were analyzed for
emerging themes. The results from this study are being used to inform
the design and implementation of future professional development
programming for SMILE high school teachers. In addition, the smallgroup
interviews present a test of a group interview methodology that
can easily and inexpensively be included in workshop or professional
development components of education programs.
