1995

Through the Years | Conferences | Presidents | Awards | Stegner Lecture | The Pike

20th NMEA Conference

July 31-August 5, San Diego, California (University of California San Diego)
Theme: Oceans Without Borders

Executive Committee

President: Nora Deans (CA) (1994-95)
President-Elect: Mike Spranger (WA)
Membership Secretary: Michael Rigsby (CA)
Treasurer: E. Bruce Carlsten (NY)
Secretary: Pam Stryker (TX)
Editor of Current: Lisa Tooker and Michael Rigsby (CA)

Board of Directors:

(1992-95): Deborah Coulombe (CA), Barbara Lee (HI), Michael O’Shea (NJ)
(1993-96): Mark DeCrosta (FL), Rick Tinnin (TX), Maureen Wilmot (DC), Joy Wolf (CA)
(1994-97) Roberta Dean (CA), Jeanne Meggison (MN), John Trowbridge (LA)
(1995-98): Linda Maxson, Sharon Meeker (NH), Rob Moir (MA)

Chapter Representatives:

• FMSEA (Florida Marine Science Educators Association): Susan Carstenn (FL)/ Jackie Fletcher (FL)

• GAME (Georgia Association of Marine Education): Donna Stewart (GA)

• GLEAMS (Great Lakes Educators of Aquatic and Marine Science): Bill Simpkins (OH)

• GOMMEA (Gulf of Maine Marine Education Association): Linda Kilch (ME)/ Mary Cerullo (ME)

• MAMEA (Mid-Atlantic Marine Educators Association ): Martha Nichols

• MME (Massachusetts Marine Educators):Peg Collins (MA)/ Elizabeth Edwards-Cabana (MA)

• NAME (Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators): Laurie Usher/ Karen Blyler

• NJMEA (New Jersey Marine Education Association): Mary Masterson (NJ)

• NYSMEA (New York State Marine Educators Association): E. Bruce Carlsten (NY)

• OCEANIA: Ann Coopersmith (HI)

• SAME (Southern Association of Marine Educators): Margaret Howell/ Sharon Flanagan

• SCMEA (South Carolina Marine Educators Association): Julie Cliff (SC)

• SENEME (Southeastern New England Marine Educators): Kathy DeLisle

• SWMEA (Southwest Marine Educators Association): Diane Sweeney (CA)

• TEAMS (Tennessee Educators of Aquatic and Marine Science): Robyn Dobyns (TN)

• TMEA (Texas Marine Educators Association): Jack Clason (TX)

Awards:

James Centorino Award: Sharon H. Walker (MS)
Outstanding Teacher Award: Amy Quillen (DE)
Marine Education Award: Pam Stryker (TX)
President’s Award: Robyn Dobyns (TN)

Conference Highlights

Hosted by the Southwest Marine Educators (SWMEA), the conference was held at the beautiful UCSD campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The conference focused on the themes of the geographical, physical, biological, economical and cultural connections that weave through the marine environment and marine education.

The opening night reception took place at the Stephen Birch Aquarium-Museum. At this event, participants greeted friends, feasted on pasta, and explored the fabulous museum displays and animal habitats.

General sessions each morning featured renowned scientists and educators. Afternoon workshops offered classroom curricula, outdoor education ideas, hands-on activities, environmental education, current research and more.

Each chapter had its own meeting room available for chapter meetings on Wednesday, August 2.

Some of the other highlights of the conference included the NMEA auction featuring THE PIKE, “Fiesta on the Marsh” at the Chula Vista Nature Center, Sea Faire Happy Hour, and the Stegner Concert/Lecture featuring the Banana Slug String Band. The lively performance of the Banana Slug String Band emphasized the magic and mysteries of life on earth by integrating music, comedy, theater, and puppetry with the teaching of science and ecology.

There was also a wonderful night magic “Beach Party” at Sea world with Shamu.

A few of the exciting field trips included snorkeling, kelp dives, marine geology trips, trips across the border to Mexican estuaries, ocean kayaking, and tall-ship sailing. Also there were behind-the-scene tours at the San Diego Zoo and Sea World. During the conference, a special Sea Camp for kids was an option. After the conference, some members went on a post-conference field trip to the Channel Islands.

Photographs by Susan Leach Snyder

Additional Highlights of 1995:

The midyear NMEA Board Meeting took place at the NSTA National Convention in Philadelphia on Wednesday, March 22, 1995.

In 1995, NMEA published three issues of Current: The Journal of Marine Education. The first was titled “The Maury Project: A Unique Partnership in Ocean Education,” the second was titled “Marine Biodiversity,” and the third was a general issue. Contributors for the “Maury Project” issue were Donald McManus of the American Meteorological Society, and others from the United States Naval Academy and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA.) The “Marine Biodiversity” issue was co-sponsored by the Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, within the National Ocean Service of NOAA. The colorful cover was made possible through the support of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service.