College of Exploration

Welcome

The College of Exploration (TCOE) is a global learning network. We work with partners around the world on innovative and exploratory learning programs about our environment, earth, ocean, technology, leadership and other education topics. We are organized as a collegium and we strive to foster relationship with and between our inner and outer worlds.

Since 1991 TCOE has designed, delivered, and evaluated educational programs, workshop, courses and events for learners of all ages around the globe, with a particular emphasis on web-based courses and workshops for educators. Over 18,000 participants have joined the online campus over the years.

Our national and international expertise includes producing and offering both on-site and online events such as workshops, courses, evaluations, and conferences. We create and support programs in strategic planning, large-scale decision making, evaluation and assessment, media production, curriculum development, and forums for educators, students, and researchers.

Our work with partners around the world includes:

  • Creating and offering online ubiquitous networked collaborative learning environments
  • Providing professional and organizational development and strategic planning 
  • Designing and implemening training and learning programs
  • Connecting scientists and their research with educators and the general public
  • Conducting program evaluation and educational research
  • Working collaboratively to develop and support science literacy initiatives
  • Creating and incorporating video in learning programs
  • Facilitating large-scale decision making events online, bringing groups together to achieve targeted goals
  • Co-exploring and co-creating new programs, initiatives and missions

We see a continued need to improve and increase learning opportunities, especially in the geosciences and particularly ocean and earth sciences. We look forward to working with new partners and seek opportunities to collaborate with others to co-write proposals in new grant endeavors. 

OCEAN

As the ocean is the defining feature of our planet, the College of Exploration has worked extensively to build awareness of ocean issues and to promote ocean literacy and marine education for the past 22years.

Below are links to some of the partners, projects and websites. For more detail on ocean projects, click here.

CURRENT and PREVIOUS PROJECTS and ACTIVITIES


  • Ocean Literacy
  • In Search of Earth's Secrets
  • COAST Card with University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Studies, Integration and Application Network
  • NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center
  • National Ocean Sciences Bowl Alumni and Longitudinal Research
  • College of Exploration and Educational Passages funded by U.S. Embassy, Lisbon to provide a project that features building and launching miniboats while connecting schools in New Bedford, Massachussets and the Azores.
  • NSF Funded Coastal Resilience Research Network
  • Woods Hole Institute Coastal Communities Network
  • Systems Literacy

  • PREVIOUS PROJECTS and ACTIVITES


  • Sea Change Project
  • Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE)   
  • Ocean Sciences Teaching Videos
  • C-DEBI
  • Grant from British Association for American Studies, London UK to support Educational Passages Projects
  • TCOE-LVA-NOAA English Ocean Technology
  • NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration
  • NOAA Teacher At Sea
  • Oceans For Life - National Geographic Virtual Teacher Workshop 2007
  • Classroom Exploration of the Ocean with National Geographic
  • Critter Cam
  • HMS Challenger Virtual Field Trip
  • HMS Challenger Project
  • Environmental Monitoring - Globalheartbeat
  • Bonhomme Richard Expedition
  • Portugal -OTF
  • Bermuda Atlantic Time Series
  • Dolphin Island
  • Earth Science Literacy
  • EARTH

    The College of Exploration focuses on earth science topics, from drilling deep in the ocean floor to geoscience research around the world. TCOE played a key role in the Earth Science Literacy Initiative, which helped identify the big ideas that everyone should understand in earth science.

    Below are links to some of the partners, projects and websites we have worked on. To view details about all these earth related projects, click here.

    SYSTEMS

    The College of Exploration adopts a systems approach in its learning endeavors, taking a holistic look at the entire system that affects its programs and courses.

    CLIMATE

    The College of Exploration was a key partner in the Great Lakes Climate Change Education Partnership sponsored by NSF. TCOE has also played a supportive role in the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network by helping to establish weekly network communication.

    TECHNOLOGY

    The College of Exploration strives to use the latest multimedia technologies to support communication and learning, including video , webcasting , and webinars. Technologies are featured in connecting the science community with the education community, facilitating collegial exchange and sharing of information about cutting edge research. Below are some of the partners, projects and websites we have worked on.