GLOBE Students Join Ocean for Life, 14-26 July 2011

07/05/2011 12:00 MDT - The Ocean for Life (OFL) field study is a GLOBE Near East – North Africa research project that brings together students of diverse cultures to learn about marine science, conservation, and how the ocean connects us all. This year, from 14-26 July 2011, the Ocean for Life project will include twelve students from the United States representing American Samoa and the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Rhode Island and Washington, along with sixteen students from GLOBE schools in Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in the Near East - North Africa Region.

The U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's marine sanctuaries provide the optimal setting for this unique opportunity to create a stewardship ethic for the ocean while improving cross-cultural understanding. The two-week immersive field study will be held in Santa Barbara, California, and on Santa Cruz Island hosted by Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Ocean science activities will focus on kelp forest ecosystems, marine life of the Santa Barbara Channel, rocky intertidal monitoring, watersheds, water quality monitoring, climate change, ocean acidification and much more.

Assisted by National Geographic photographers and American University film students, the participants will document what they have learned through the development of youth media projects, using photography and video to capture the essence of their surroundings. The youth media projects will become a tool to help Ocean for Life participants share what they have learned and promote ocean conservation and cultural understanding among their classmates, friends, families and communities back home.

The Ocean for Life program is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, The GLOBE Program and SCUBAnauts International. It is presented in collaboration with the National Geographic Society, American University’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking, Meridian International Center and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Sponsors/donors include Qatar Foundation International, WAFRA Investment Advisory Group, Inc., The Ettinger Foundation, Ellmar Foundation, Forestry Suppliers, Inc., and One World One Ocean. Ocean for Life is supported by a host of public and private interests that contribute instruction, use of facilities and reduced fees to participating students.

Participants at the 2011 GLOBE Annual Partner Meeting in Washington D.C. will be able to enjoy a live link-up to the GLOBE students of Ocean for Life, as both events will happen concurrently. Visit the GLOBE website for more information about the 2009 Near East-North Africa OFL regional project. Information for the media can be found on the Ocean for Life media page.