GULF OF MAINE: PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING USING REAL-TIME OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA

Using the Gulf of Maine (Nova Scotia to Cape Cod) as the functional model, undergraduate students in Earth system science, oceanography, and environmental science courses access real-time data from the Gulf of Maine Census of Marine Life project, the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS), and NOAA data buoys to address authentic problem-based issues. Online research using Google Earth and Google maps support their findings presented as a PowerPoint for class discussion. Issues related to marine diversity, biogeography, habitat and seafloor conditions, ocean circulation, ocean acidification, and ocean warming are among the topics researched by student groups. Learning outcomes, student assessments, course rubrics, references, and other resources will be illustrated on the poster.