Marine Education Center
Teacher Programs
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The Marine Education Center offers professional development programs for K-12 classroom
teachers. These programs cover an assortment of marine and coastal processes and current
issues, and are sponsored through a variety of sources.
Teaching Resources
A Classroom Course in Community Resilience
Community Resilience in the Classroom promotes K-12 student awareness of watersheds and their connections to the Gulf of Mexico through classroom and field instruction in climate change and rising sea level, especially high tide flooding and increased storm surge. Students work in teams to address an authentic challenge in community resilience. Selected teams from each school compete in a Stewardship Summit judged by community resilience professionals. Since 2016, over 1000 students from 12 schools in Mississippi and Alabama have completed the program in person or virtually. This program was developed through a grant from NOAA's Bay Watershed Education and Training Program (B-WET) and in partnership with Mississippi Alabama Sea Grant Consortium. Curriculum.
Sturgeon in the Watershed
The purpose of this project is to develop and implement a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience in the Mississippi Sound watersheds. The Project uses previously developed classroom and field elements of map use and water sampling to teach students basic watershed concepts. New content introduces habitat use of the Pearl and Pascagoula Rivers by the endangered Gulf Sturgeon as a way of discussing natural and human changes occurring in watersheds where participating students live and learn. Curriculum.
Upcoming Programs
Changing Coastlines Educator Retreat
This workshop is sponsored by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium.
June 23 - 26, 2025
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Teachers will receive lunch, a stipend and CEUs for attending.
Calling all STEM teachers!
Are you ready for an exciting, hands-on adventure in marine
science? Join us for a dynamic, field-based workshop, where you’ll explore how coastal ecosystems
change in response to storms, sea level rise, and natural processes—all while immersing
yourself in the stunning habitats of Deer Island. Participants will investigate the
transitions between beach, marsh, upland and subtidal habitats through an outdoor
field excursion, collecting real-world elevation profile data to compare with past
research and uncover environmental trends.
Beyond the thrill of fieldwork, you’ll dive into the science of coastal restoration and resilience, gaining the knowledge and tools to bring these advanced marine science topics back to your students in engaging and meaningful ways.
Resilience in Action
This workshop is part of the NASA Science Activation Grant through the Program for
Local Adaptation to Climate Effects at Mississippi State.
July 16 - 17, 2025
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Teachers will receive lunch, a stipend and CEUs for attending.
Are your students worried about the future and climate change?
Join us for a two-day immersive teacher workshop at the Marine Education Center, where you’ll dive into hands-on, outdoor learning experiences that bring climate science to life. This exciting professional development opportunity will introduce you to NASA’s cutting-edge tools for teaching climate change, sea level rise, and community resilience in a way that captivates your students. Throughout the workshop, you’ll participate in engaging activities from the award-winning Classroom Course in Community Resilience curriculum and discover innovative ways to integrate them into your lessons. Don’t miss this chance to connect, explore real-world science, and bring NASA-backed climate education to your students.
CEUs are available for teachers through the University of Southern Mississippi and the Southern Regional Education Service Agency (S-RESA). The number of CEUs awarded is specific to each program. Participants must register through S-RESA to obtain CEU credit.
Overnight Lodging: Participants who are traveling for the program may reserve a room in the GCRL dormitory
if space is available. We can also recommend several local hotels. Please call for
information.
Directions to the Marine Education Center:
Google "Gulf Coast Research Laboratory CEDAR POINT CAMPUS"
What to Bring / Field Gear
• Closed-Toe Shoes-shoes (required) that you don’t mind getting wet and sandy!
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Bug Repellent
• Water Bottle
• Field Clothes
• Motion Sickness Medication (vessel based programs)
• Camera
• Waterproof case/bag for electronics
All field programs are subject to substitution of activities or postponement for poor weather. We will inform registered participants of any changes via email.