25th NMEA Conference

July 16-21, Long Beach, California (California State University Long Beach)
Theme: Wave of the Future

Executive Committee

President: Rob Moir (MA) (1999-00)
President-Elect: Paula Keener-Chavis (SC)
Membership Secretary: Sharon Walker (MS)
Treasurer: John Trowbridge (LA)
Secretary: Jean May-Brett (MS)
Editor of Current: Lisa M. Tooker
Administrative Assistant (National Office) & NMEA News: Johnette Bosarge (MS)

Board of Directors:

(1997-00): Vicki Clark (VA), George Duane (NH), Pam Wingrove (FL),
(1998-01): Rita Bell (CA), Cathy Lepore (CT), David Niebuhr (VA),
(1999-02): Dru Clarke (KS), John Dindo (AL), Terri Kirby Hathaway (NC),
(2000-03):Julie Childers (FL), Susan Snyder (OH), Pam Stryker (TX)

Chapter Representatives:

  • FMSEA (Florida Marine Science Educators Association): Mark DeCrosta (FL)

  • GAME (Georgia Association of Marine Education): Maryellen Timmons (GA)

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

  • GOMMEA (Gulf of Maine Marine Education Association): Don Hudson (ME)

  • MAMEA (Mid-Atlantic Marine Educators Association ): Andrew Wilson

  • MME (Massachusetts Marine Educators):Gail Brookings (MA)

  • NAME (Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators): Alan Rammer

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

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

  • OCEANIA: Mary Gullickson (HI)

  • SAME (Southern Association of Marine Educators): John DiPlacido

  • SCMEA (South Carolina Marine Educators Association): Elaine McClure (SC)

  • SENEME (Southeastern New England Marine Educators): Cathi Lepore (CT)

  • SWMEA (Southwest Marine Educators Association): Rita Bell (CA)

  • TEAMS (Tennessee Educators of Aquatic and Marine Science): Leeann Sipes (TN)

  • TMEA (Texas Marine Educators Association): Rick Tinnin (TX)

Awards:

James Centorino Award: John Dindo (AL)
Outstanding Teacher Award: Mary Alice Cain (LA)
Marine Education Award: Fanya Paouris (SC)
President's Award: Kathleen Heidenreich (WA), Pam Stryker (TX), Virginia De Silva, and Lee Ann Campbell

Conference Highlights

2000 Conference Program

Left: The conference committee designed this card as a way to advertise the upcoming conference.

Bill Street of the National Wildlife Federation and Beth Thomsen of the Aquarium of the Pacific at Long Beach were co-chairs of this conference, hosted by the Southwest Marine/Aquatic Educators' Association (SWMEA).

For the two days preceding the conference, NMEA Board Members met to discuss longterm goals and other issues.

The first special event of the conference was a Family SeaFest on July 16th. Held at the Aquarium of the Pacific, NMEA members and their families were invited to observe sea animals and participate in activities,crafts, and storytelling. Later that evening, a red carpet reception and dinner welcomed NMEA folks to the conference.

Right: Conference Program

Far left: Conference Bag

Left: Conference Bookmark (Photographs by Susan Leach Snyder)

This was the first year the "Buddy Program" was introduced to a conference. In order to welcome new conference attendees and "show them the ropes," Maryellen Timmons (GA) paired them with seasoned NMEA members. At the welcome reception, 25 buddy/mentor partnerships were established.

On the 17th, exhibits opened in the student union and Dr. Richard Linnehan (veterinarian and astronaut) delivered the Keynote Address, "Taking Marine Science to the Stars...?" After lunch, there was a plethora of concurrent sessions.

Then, promptly at 6:00 PM, busses departed for the beach party event at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. After enjoying the activities at the aquarium and the delicious food, there was a special treat. The moon was full and the grunion performed their mating ritual to the delight of the NMEA crowd. Later, we watched in amazement as young grunion hatched before our eyes when we shook jars filled with saltwater and eggs.

Male grunion were collected and "milked" for their milt.

(Photograph by Susan Leach Snyder)

Grunion of all sizes were dancing on the beach. (Photographer is unknown.)

The next day began early with Sea Faire/Sea Swap at 7:00 AM., followed by the Keynote Address by Dr. Milton Love, research biologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara's Marine Science Institute. Dr. Love's address title was "Oh, No! Not Another Slide Show About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast." His address was followed by more concurrent sessions, and a bus ride to the Aquarium of the Pacific for the annual auction and dinner.

 Right: At one concurrent session, George Duane (MA) got a chance to practice his plumbing skills. (Photographer is unknown.)

Left: At another session, there were a lot of organisms to examine with microscopes. (Photographer is unknown.)

Would you buy a raffle ticket at an auction from this person? (Is that really Dr. John Dindo (AL)?) (Photographer is unknown.)(Photographer is unknown.)

The fourth day of the conference began early again, this time with breakfast, followed by a boat ride to Catalina Island. Once on the island, a variety of side trips were planned to learn about ocean residential camps, to snorkel, to ride in a submarine, to visit the botanical gardens, and to shop in the town of Avalon.

At the end of a long pier at Catalina Sea Camp, Brian Paavo demonstrated how this ROV is operated.

(Photographs by Susan Leach Snyder)

Day five began with the "Breakfast of Champions," the annual NMEA Awards Ceremony. Next was the Keynote Address by Dr. Randy Brill, acting head of the Research and Animal Care Branch in San Diego of the U.S. Navy's Marine Mammal Program. The title of his presentation was "Marine Mammals and Their Environment: Where We're Going, They've Already Been."

After Dr. Brill's address, concurrent sessions, the new board meeting, and chapter meetings took place. After all those meetings, it was time to relax and party on the majestic passenger liner, Queen Mary. Dinner, the Stegner Concert, touring the ship, and dancing topped off a really great day.

The evening aboard the Queen Mary was awesome! (Photographer is unknown.)

The last day of the conference was devoted to field trips. Trip choices included boarding the R/V Conqueror and learning the skills of real oceanographers, kayaking Upper Newport Bay, visiting the Los Angeles Zoo, visiting the California Science Center, exploring a tide pool, touring the Getty Center, scuba diving along Catalina Island, birding, and deep-sea fishing.

How do all these critters manage to survive in these tide pools? (Photograph by Susan Leach Snyder)

Can anything be more fun than kayaking with friends? (Photographer is unknown)

In 2000, NMEA published one issue of Current: The Journal of Marine Education, titled "Drifter Buoys." Published in cooperation with the University of Southern Mississippi, Institute of Marine Sciences, this issue was funded by the Office of Naval Research, the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, and the Consortium for Oceanic Research and Education.

This issue included articles on ocean current research using drifter buoys as well as a section titled, "For the Classroom" by Anna C. Switzer. "For the Classroom was an activity guide for grades 6-12.