Oceanography

Programs

Boy Scout ( Merit Badge )

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Oceanography

Program Procedures

ECMSP’s 2.5 hr. Oceanography program is a wonderful hands on research program, for Scout & Students of all ages.

The program starts of with a 30-45 minute interactive lecture on the field of Oceanography, including the hot environmental issues of the day and the ongoing research being conducted by Students and Scouts at the Patriots Point site. The lecture is given in the Theater on board the USS Yorktown.

Next, groups are disbursed to the sites various research platforms for hands on test and observations. Each program is approximately 20 – 45 minutes. All participants are asked to download the data collected into the web site research page maintained by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The research platforms on board the United States Coast Guard Cutter Ingham include our wet lab, dry lab and stern underwater habitat. At the web lab, participants observe various fresh and salt water habitats, filled with marine inhabitants from the sites collection trays. In the dry lab, participants conduct salinity and PH tests on site water samples. An inventory of our underwater habitat is conducted on the stern of the vessel.

The 20 min program at our floating dock and outside classroom includes observations and inventories of our oyster reef research trays. From the trays, students witness up close, the various the oyster reefs various inhabitants.

New to the Program for 2008 is the Plankton Research Lab.

OCEANOGRAPHY – Program

A Checklist and Worksheet have been prepared to assist program participants (mandatory for BSA Merit Badge Candidates) as a pre-visit preparation tool. BSA Badge Candidates will be required to read the Oceanography Badge handbook prior to arrival.
All participants will collect data during the program using our Data Collection Sheet. Please download the RESEARCH DATA SHEET from this page.
All information collected is submitted to Charleston Explorers by each participating troop in a final report submitted for inclusion in the Oyster Restoration Project begin conducted at Patriots Point.
Merit Badge Candidates must submit a written report about their experience, including the data collected (FINAL REPORT) Blue Cards are issued upon receipt of the written essays and group’s final report form. (Please note that the written essays are reviewed to assist us the continued development of the program. We are also asking that the participants provide "completely blank - blue cards'.
All research data and observations are to be downloaded to WATER QUALITY MONITORING PAGE located at the SCORE DATA BASE For site locations, scroll down to Patriots Point. For group affiliations, input your group name followed by "Charleston Explorers" (e.g. Troop 100 - Charleston Explorers)
We will work with scheduling office at Patriots Point so as to try to avoid scheduling conflicts with excursions
Cost:
$7 per participant or as the excursion choice included in the overnight camping fee.
Troop leaders and adult chaperones are welcomed to attend as participants.
All classes must be confirmed to Keith Grybowski. Patriots Point Reservations must be advised if the program is chosen as the excursion option within the overnight camping fee...

Floating Dock Research Station

1. Register with Charleston Explorers.

2 BSA Candidates need to obtain the Scout Oceanography handbook.

3. Download Checklist and worksheet from our Web site.

4. Study program topics.

5. Download data collection sheet from our Web site.

6. Attend program review class.

7. Conduct oceanography experiments with our staff at the research sites.

10. As part of the Oceanography and Earth Connections badge, and for all those who would like to assist, construct oyster bags to be used in the oyster reef construction project.

11. As a final step, Scouts will be required to submit a Final Report.

11. Upon receipt of the final report, Charleston Explorers will issue the completed Blue Cards.