Mare Timmons gave a presentation titled, Teacher Research: Letting them Go with the Flow, at the Georgia Association of Marine Education (GAME) 2015 conference, which took place Oct. 16-18 on Tybee Island. She was awarded a full scholarship to attend the meeting. During her presentation, Timmons shared samples of the teacher research projects and a live mini-experiment with discussion followed.
UGA Marine Extension conducts summer workshops that help teachers interpret coastal issues for their students in land-locked classrooms. Teachers not only learn about coastal environments but also delve into short-term research projects of their own design. These adventures into research allow teachers to better understand and interpret science, as well as bring research back to their classrooms.
These adventures into research allow teachers to better understand and interpret science, as well as bring research back to their classrooms.
Teacher researchers conduct literature searches, develop a proposal for research and write a mini-grant for funding. During their experimental trials, teacher researchers adjust their protocols when “things happen” and get “going with the flow” of science. Timmons’ presentation touched on the many opportunities available for teachers at UGA Marine Extension.
UGA Marine Extension has a long-standing partnership with GAME, beginning in the early 1980’s when Will Hon, Marine Extension’s first marine educator, provided inspiration for classroom teachers with his famous “chalk talks.”
Current faculty Mare Timmons and Anne Lindsay have served as president of the organization, as has Angela Bliss, a 2015-2016 PSO Graduate Assistant. Bliss currently serves as GAME’S treasurer. In 2008, with Timmons leadership as conference chair, GAME hosted an international conference in Savannah for the National Marine Education Association, of which GAME is a state chapter.