Ocean exploration and education

WASHINGTON, Afghanistan, June 6 (UPI) -- Scientists, and the public in general, know more about the backside of the moon than they do about the bottom of the ocean, which has 80 percent of all life form. Although water covers three-fourth of the earth's surface, only five percent has ever been explored, leaving most of it unknown.

"In the tradition of Jacques Cousteau, we need to instill in our young people the excitement and passion for our ocean world," Senator Ernest F. Hollings said at the Capitol Hill Oceans Week.

During the three-day event, members of Congress and ocean experts focused on three main issues; ocean exploration, education and coral reef preservation.

Hollings, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said that during Oceans Week, experts generated national interest in marine science, ocean exploration and their contributions to improving the human environment.

Ocean experts wanted to raise awareness about environmental, economic, security and health issues related to the ocean. Their aim is to create an ocean literate society via education.

"We know that today's students are tomorrow's explorers and it is up to us to energize them, intrigue them and in general, help them understand just how important the vast oceans are to our everyday lives," said Paula Keener-Chavis, national education coordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Ocean Exploration.

Regarding ocean education, speakers from different organizations across the nation discussed formal, informal and non-traditional types of education via the media. They also presented their program outreach efforts.

Elizabeth A. Day, education program leader at the National Sea Grant College Program, said "Sea Grant informal education activities seek to address issues of local importance and to improve basic understanding of marine and aquatic environments."

At Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, educational programs were developed using technologies of the Internet, distance learning and broadcast media, said Cathy Sakas, education coordinator.

"It is imperative that we have an ocean literate public which understands the role of the oceans," said Admiral James D. Watkins, chairman of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. "We can only accomplish this through education."

Experts also discussed the current risks to the U.S. ocean's coral reefs and the larger marine environment.

"We must educate ourselves as much as possible in order to do what we can to protect one of the most biologically productive ecosystems in the worlds," Senator John McCain said.

During the past two decades, marine bioprospecting helped create thousands of products from marine plants, animals and microbes. The products have commercial uses, such as pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements and cosmetics. And recent discoveries suggest that clean energy for America's future needs may lie within its own ocean.