Scientific Educational Resources and Experience Associated with the Deployment of Argo profiling floats
in the South Pacific Ocean
SEREAD (Scientific Educational Resources and Experience Associated with the Deployment of Argo profiling floats in the South Pacific Ocean) is an educational program and resource that provides regionally relevant and focused ocean climate science. Utilizing Argo data in a format that fits directly into existing curricula of Pacific Island schools, SEREAD teaches basic scientific fundamentals in a hands-on approach using examples that build on Pacific students' everyday observations and experiences. Having Argo data freely available to all makes it an ideal real world database for an educational program that aims to excite students and inspire them to study and understand the physical world around them. The program facilitates interactions and discussions between today's ocean and climate scientists, teachers and students, and tomorrow's leaders on the important connections between the ocean, land and climate of the Pacific Island Region.
The goal is to help generate awareness, discussion and an understanding of the ocean’s role in the climate system. Climate changes can take place over months or years. The key to understanding change involves the role of the water and energy cycles in the tropical marine climate of the Pacific Islands.
- Provide teaching resources that complement current teaching curriculum and demonstrate the value of scientific knowledge through realistic and locally relevant applications.
- Teach students about the fundamental measurements that are used to describe and measure changes in climate.
- Help teachers and students understand how scientists use data.
- Provide opportunities for interaction between scientists and teachers.