From the Coast to the Mountains - DISL helps provide ACCESS

The fascinating organisms and habitats of Alabama's coastal and marine waters are now only a click away for Alabama high school students, thanks to the Alabama State Department of Education's ACCESS program. This distance-learning program, integrated into every public high school in Alabama, was featured in the ACCESS Distance Learning Week, February 1-5, 2010, and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Education and Outreach department, Discovery Hall Programs, was honored to take part in this innovative program for high school students.

During the entire week, numerous organizations conducted exciting programs and lessons for high school students, members of the Alabama Legislature, and other interested organizations throughout the state.  Educators from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Education and Outreach team conducted an Introduction to Animals in Alabama's Coastal Waters.

Using both live and preserved specimens, the Sea Lab educators showed students examples of many groups of invertebrate and vertebrate animals commonly found in Alabama's waters.  The taxonomy, habitats, and natural history of these animals were discussed.  A document camera system allowed close up views of many of the animals discussed.  The presentation ended with an "up close and personal" look at a dissection of a bonnethead shark!

Four high schools from around the state linked-up with the Sea Lab demonstration, including Carbon Hill High School (Walker County); Boaz High School (Marshall County); Daleville High School (Dale County); and Valley Head High School (Chambers County).

"As the marine science research and education facility for the state of Alabama, we were very excited to be taking part in this event," said Dr. Tina Miller-Way, Sea Lab Associate Director for Education and Outreach.  "Humans and the oceans are inextricably connected. The ACCESS program will allow us to bring the excitement and importance of marine science to each and every high school student in Alabama.  With the support of the Legislature, the Governor and the State Department of Education, Alabama can be a leader in ocean and environmental literacy."

Launched in 2004, the ACCESS program seeks to provide greater equity for all Alabama public high school students through access to distance learning technology.  Alabama is poised to be a leader in distance learning by tailoring online and videoconferencing services to the needs of the individual student.  By leveraging existing resources and expanding access, this program will deliver a broad range of courses to students statewide, including Alabama's hardest-to-serve areas.