NARRAGANSETT, R.I. – June 1, 2011 – Science teachers from throughout Southern New England are encouraged to enroll in a one-day professional development workshop about ocean exploration on June 24. The program is sponsored by the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence.

The workshop, entitled “Why Do We Explore,” will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Coastal Institute building on the URI Bay Campus in Narragansett. It will encourage teachers and students to become involved with the voyages and discoveries of the Okeanos Explorer, America’s first federal ship dedicated solely to ocean exploration.

“Teachers will meet NOAA and URI scientists and staff, learn about recent advances in ocean exploration and the new NOAA vessel Okeanos Explorer, and tour the Inner Space Center,” said Celia Cackowski, coordinator of the workshop for the URI Office of Marine Programs. “Participants will also receive certificates and educational materials for use in their classrooms.”

Using the Okeanos Explorer Education Materials Collection, participants will learn how to use inquiry and standards-based lessons and other online resources that guide classroom inquiries into such topics as climate change, energy, ocean health and human health.

The workshop is being held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Graduate School of Oceanography. For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Celia Cackowski at 401-874-6134 or celia@gso.uri.edu.