On June 7 and 8, 2006, more than 200 people came to Washington, DC to participate in the first ever Conference on Ocean Literacy (CoOL). The event featured talks by senior Administration Officials including Council on Environmental Quality Chair James Connaughton, Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary David Sampson, Deputy Secretary of Interior Lynn Scarlett, Oceanographer of the Navy RADM Fred Byus, Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere VADM Conrad Lautenbacher, and EPA Assistant Administrator Benjamin Grumbles. Other panel participants included NMSF Trustees Jean-Michel Cousteau and Dr. Sylvia Earle, Senate Appropriations Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Representatives Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Gene Taylor (D-MS). In addition, panels of experts in formal and informal education, building a diverse workforce and using regional approaches provided insight on the future steps needed to build an ocean literate society. Concurrent to the DC conference, regional workshops were hosted by five aquariums around the country providing an additional 300 participants to view parts of the national CoOL and participate in their own discussions on increasing literacy. The Regional Workshops were held at: Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA; Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, IA; National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD; J.L. Scott Aquarium in Biloxi, MS; and the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL. President George W. Bush officially proclaimed June 4 -10, 2006 as National Oceans Week. In honor National Oceans Week. CEQ Chair James Connaughton displays the National Oceans Week proclamation during his remarks. In opening plenary sessions, speakers addressed the importance of ocean literacy to the Nation's economic prosperity. Knowledge is a fundamental foundation of stewardship and helps us understand principles of science and complexity. Education is needed to stop the decline of important coastal habitats, such as mangroves, coral reefs and marshlands. Senator Thad Cochran (Mississippi) discusses his support for the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative's Sea to Shining Sea report, which identifies ten priorities including education. Jean-Michel Cousteau urges CoOL attendees to continue to learn and to take action to protect our ocean world. Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior Lynn Scarlett discusses the importance of ocean literacy and our economy. Our Luncheon Keynote Speaker was Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder. Author Richard Louv discusses his book on the importance of connecting children to nature. Afternoon speakers discussed the recent work of the National Marine Educators Association to define Ocean Literacy Essential Principles. This effort aligns key ocean concepts with National Science Education Standards. RADM Dick West, President of the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education, on the importance of using the Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and energizing the next generation. A panel of experts identified opportunities and challenges for including ocean science content in formal education. National Science Teachers Association Executive Director, Dr. Gerry Wheeler identifies the four S's of ocean literacy: scale, science, standards and sustainability. Dr. Jerry Lieberman discusses California's Education and the Environment Initiative, as moderator Dan Barstow looks on. Dr. Robert Ballard addressed the audience from the Aegean Sea using telepresence technology. He was introduced by Congressman Frank Wolf of Virginia, who linked ocean literacy to the future of our Nation's competitiveness. Congressman Frank Wolf (VA) makes the connection between science literacy, U.S. competitiveness and national security. A live conversation between session moderator Kris Ludwig and Dr. Bob Ballard from the Aegean Sea was made possible by telepresence technology. The informal education panel discussed the importance of providing common messages across the community. Among the many tools identified for informal educators, using animals like Pete the Penguin to connect to the public was the most popular with the audience. Audience members have the opportunity to meet Pete the Penguin, from Sea World-Busch Gardens. Dr. Jerry Schubel, Director of the Aquarium of the Pacific, proposes to create a network of informal educators to deliver common messages. A panel of distinguished journalists discussed television and print media for promoting ocean literacy. Bill Blakemore of ABC News talks about the role of journalists in presenting science to the public, as moderator Dr. Ellen Prager looks on. A panel of experts discussed model programs and identified obstacles for attracting underrepresented groups to the marine sciences. Dr. Frank Robinson of Florida A&M University presents graduation and hiring statistics associated with NOAA's Environmental Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institution. Dr. Maria Alvarez discusses her efforts to attract funding and students to science programs at El Paso Community College. A panel discussed the efforts of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, the Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence and other regional efforts to educate the public. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary David Sampson remarks about the importance of regional approaches to ocean literacy. Conference Chair Dr. Sharon Walker identifies the Gulf of Mexico Alliance's ocean education plan as a successful regional model. In addition to participating in the panel discussions, conference attendees we able to learn how various organizations contribute to ocean literacy during the CoOL exhibit fair.     U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                  Consortium of Oceanographic Research (CORE)

As of September 13, 2006