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.
Conference
Program
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.


Far
Left: Auction Program
Left:
Conference Pin
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

Mike Clarke enjoyed the field trip tour of FLIP.