The Lettered Olive: S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Education News
[ September 24, 2021]
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Names. Juliet famously asked Romeo, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." The late artist Prince changed his name into a symbol. We say "tomayto, tomahto" to indicate that two things are the same. And, we teach children not to call each other names. This issue's featured species, smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), is no stranger to names (or name calling!). From pronunciations ranging from "Spar-TINE-ah" (correct) to "Spar-TEEN-ah", and most recently, an official change to its scientific name, Sporobolus alterniflorus, this plant provides the same critical functions in the salt marsh ecosystem no matter what it's called! Using an extensive rhizome (root) system to stabilize sediments, smooth cordgrass anchors in pluff mud, creating habitat for a variety of wildlife, including birds, fiddler crabs, periwinkle snails, insects, and more. Adapted to growing in brackish water, glands within the blades expel salt crystals -- the next time you're in the marsh, flip a blade over to see (or taste) the salt crystals for yourself! While the salt marsh has been called not-so-nice names like, "stinky" and "buggy", this habitat provides crucial functions such as mitigating the impacts of flooding, sequestering carbon, and providing a nursery ground for those species that we enjoy on our dinner plate, such a crabs, shrimp, oysters, and fish. And, although the flowers of smooth cordgrass do not rival the fragrance of Juliet's sweet-smelling roses, when they appear this time of year, they signal that seeds will soon develop, helping to spread this plant throughout the salt marsh. Call these what you may, but be sure to check out these exciting educational opportunities from the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and our partners.
(photo credit: Kacie Ferguson)
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NEW! Research Soundings
by Dr. Brita Jessen
Greetings readers! I am the Interdisciplinary Research and Partnerships Lead for the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. Once a month I’ll share some news about current coastal research and impacts as well as suggest a few education resources.
Learning from “How Things Fall Apart”
Learning from “How Things Fall Apart”
Sometimes we need to envision failures in order to ensure they don’t happen. This is the premise of a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, municipal decision-makers, and community engagement specialists focused on the natural and societal impacts of sea level rise (SLR) in Beaufort County. While many of us think about the impact of SLR for surface water (e.g., flooding), we think less about SLR impacts to groundwater. Potential impacts include changes in groundwater levels and salt concentration, which in turn affect drainage, agriculture, natural forests, and buried infrastructure. The holistic study led by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, the College of Charleston, University of South Carolina, and Beaufort County focuses on small communities within the county that will need targeted efforts to enhance their resilience capacity. Earth scientists will measure real-time groundwater levels and model the projected impact of SLR on groundwater and municipal infrastructure (such as septic and sewage systems). Social scientists will evaluate community-level capacity to withstand failures in the infrastructure system, and work with leaders to build a guide for making science-based management decisions. The two-year effort will work to ensure that these communities have specific recommendations for how to avoid system-level failures before they occur. I’ll share updates from this project as it develops.
Education Links: Water Rocks has information, lessons, and resources about the role of groundwater. U.S. Geological Survey’s Water Science School has graphics describing groundwater and aquifers.
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Educator Professional Development |
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All Booked Up: Coastal Reading Club
Calling all educators -- this is not just your average book club! The All Booked Up Coastal Reading Club provides an opportunity for educators to read and discuss influential fiction and nonfiction books related to S.C., the coast, or nature in general!
Our next book selection is hot-off-the-press! Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach was released on September 14th and will hold our next virtual discussion about this book in January 2022. Interested? Visit the All Booked Up Coastal Reading Club webpage to learn more about the club, sign up, and learn more about the latest book selection. New members receive their first book for free, but you must sign up by October 30th. Questions can be emailed to E.V. Bell.
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2021 - 2022 Educator Science Café Series
"Survival: Against the Odds"
November 16 and 17*, 2021
January 25 and 26*, 2022
What does it take to survive? Mark your calendars to join the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum as we delve into the science of survival during the 2021 - 2022 Educator Science Café Series! Participants will engage with science experts about factors impacting survival from the smallest organisms to ocean/global health. Each café will provide an opportunity to join in-person or virtual, will address S.C. State Science Standards in a cross-curricular manner, and offer renewal credits. All cafés (in-person and virtual) will be held from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Registration information about the November café will be available September 1, 2021. Questions can be sent to E.V. Bell or Hannah Giddens.
*denotes virtual session
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Virtual Quarantrivia: 2021 - 2022 Season
The newest season of the wildly popular, virtual Quarantrivia has returned. Challenge your environmental know-how with other educators from across the state to win educational resources and bragging rights! Each session is free to participate and will feature questions related to South Carolina (aligned to S.C. State Science Standards where possible). After each trivia night, you'll receive a link to the trivia questions to use with your students and/or in your programs. Quarantrivia is co-coordinated by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in partnership with the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina and the South Carolina Marine Educators Association.
The 2021 - 2022 schedule is as follows. All trivia events are from 7:00 - 8:30 PM via Zoom:
- October 19, 2021
- December 7, 2021
- February 8, 2022
- April 19, 2022
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South Carolina Marine Educators Association (SCMEA) Annual Conference: "STEAM"ing into a Changing World
November 5 -7, 2021
During the pandemic, educators and researchers alike have had to re-imagine what science and hands-on teaching looks like while still working to conserve our environment and respond to the changes presented by climate change. Come join us for SCMEA's Annual Conference to learn what worked, what changed, and what more we can do to educate and inspire future conservationists. Please visit the SCMEA Conference Page for more details.
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S.C. Sea Grant Consortium
Marine Education Program Assistant
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium (Consortium) is hiring a Marine Education Program Assistant to evaluate, develop, and conduct virtual and in-person classroom and field-based programs and coordinate teacher professional development opportunities. More information on the position and how to apply can be found on the Consortium's job page.
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Latest Issue of Coastal Heritage Now Available
The latest issue of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium's award-winning, quarterly magazine, Coastal Heritage, is now available! This issue, All Hands on Deck, examines how coastal challenges over the next 30 years will be addressed - download your copy today! Access previous issues and their corresponding K - 12 education supplement, Curriculum Connection, by visiting the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium's publication page.
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S.C. Sea Grant Consortium
Enviroscape Loaner Program
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium offers use of their Wetlands Enviroscape Model free-of-charge to any S.C. K-12, nonformal, and homeschool educator. The Wetlands Enviroscape Model provides a hands-on demonstration about how watersheds can be affected by development, pollution, and other natural and human-made impacts. Included as part of the demonstration are ways in which potential pollution impacts can be mitigated (e.g., riparian buffers and salt marshes). To find out more information on requesting to borrow the Enviroscape, please visit the Enviroscape Loaner Program page to fill out the request form. Questions can be sent to Emmi Palenbaum.
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Champions of the Environment
Deadline to Apply: October 15, 2021
K-12 teachers, do you need funding for your environmental education project? Champions of the Environment offers grant awards of $2,500 for projects that improve or protect the environment. Submit your online application between August 1 and October 15 at scdhec.gov/champions. Questions can be emailed to Amanda Ley.
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Renkas Marine Education Grants
Deadline to Apply: October 1, 2021
Do you have a future classroom project, program, virtual field trip, virtual tool, or platforms for distance learning that needs financial assistance? The South Carolina Marine Educators Association (SCMEA) is here to help! Each year, SCMEA gives up to three, $200 grants to individuals implementing educational projects or programs. For more information and to apply, please visit the SCMEA website.
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S.C. Marine Educator of the Year
Deadline for Submission: October 8, 2021
This award recognizes the most outstanding marine educator in S.C. The recipient of this award will receive a $250 check, a five year membership in the South Carolina Marine Educators Association organization, and an engraved plaque. Nominate an individual by October 8th. The recipient of this award will be acknowledged at the annual conference and it is the responsibility of the nominator to ensure that the recipient is present during the awards ceremony. Please visit the SCMEA website for more information on how to apply.
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