Welcome to to the North Carolina Field Study course page. This page summarizes an independent study course that will offered through Ramapo College for the summer of 2001 and provides a link to key web pages that will help participants prepare for the course and apply course materials once they return to the classroom.
Please note that this course may not be run without sufficient enrollment. Thus, we encourage you to sign up and register before April 15, 2001.
If you have any questions about the course, please contact us and we'll try to answer your questions promptly. Or contact Angela Cristini, Director, Master of Science in Educational Technology (MSET) - (201) 684-7721.
Until we meet this summer, happy "surfing"!
H. Michael Mogil and Barbara G. Levine (How the Weatherworks earth & environmental science educators)
Ramapo College
SGET 683 Earth / Environmental Science Field Study
North Carolina Outer Banks.
August 6 (Monday) -13 (Monday), 2001
Summary
Take a vacation-style setting and turn it into an earth / environmental science based field study and you have this North Carolina Outer Banks once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But, don't get out those beach chairs for relaxing, just yet!!!!!
Participants will be busy gaining first hand experience with coastal processes in this new look at the North Carolina Outer Banks. This will include both observations they make and interactive, hands-on demonstrations they are involved with.
Most notably, they will observe the daily sea-breeze circulation so prevalent along the eastern and southern coasts of the United States from the ground and from space (weather satellite image interpretation will be a key aspect of this course). This cycle, coupled with various climatological factors, will set the stage for hurricane-related studies and a look into the history of the first manned flight at Kitty Hawk almost 100 years ago. Studies involving the daily cycle of UV radiation will also be made.
Coastal interaction studies will be a major part of the field study. Wave analysis; sand sorting; sand dune, sand bar and barrier island creation; and the impacts of a salt water fresh water mixing zone (in air and in water) on ecosystems will be examined. Explorations of topographic and other data sets will be used to showcase the evolution of the region. We'll use some simple tools to create a beach profile and compare it to that found in the region during winter months. A visit to the US Army of Corps Wave Station in Duck is also planned. The availability of potable drinking water in this coastal setting, including chemistry considerations, will also be highlighted.
The study of the Wright Brothers accomplishments (at the Wright Brothers National Memorial) will be only one of the many possible historical aspects of this field study. Depending upon the weather and timetables, we will explore the history of lighthouses, various Native American civilizations, and the colonization and development of the region. Time permitting, we'll make a trip to Cape Hatteras to visit the famous lighthouse (which has been relocated inland from its previous site, where erosion threatened it). A ferry ride to Ocracoke Island will provide an opportunity to see, first-hand, fresh-salt water interactions and the Outer Banks barrier island system.
Hurricanes will be a major study focus. The history of these storms, storm frequency, building codes, and evacuation issues will be among the topics addressed. Although August is still a relatively "safe" time in the Outer Banks, recent storms have created heightened interest in the region. We'll compare some of the scenes during and after storms like Dennis and Floyd with what the beach looks like now. If a hurricane should threaten, the County will require mandatory evacuation. Plans are in place to handle this, if needed.
Please note that there will be several pre- and post-course web-based activities involved in the course. These will set the stage for our investigations, as well as bring closure to them.
USA TODAY has rated the Corolla Beach area near our "headquarters" as "tops." It is a great place to relax, as well as study the beach environment. It will also provide an opportunity for stargazing away from the lights of nearby homes and businesses. If you've never seen the Milky Way before, this will prove an awesome experience. Fortunately, the moon will be advancing toward its new moon phase, so as long as we star watch before 10pm or so, light pollution from it will be minimized. Moon watching activities will be done later in the evening.
August daytime weather is generally in the upper 80's. Winds are usually light, but can be gusty and raw if a strong onshore pressure gradient sets up. Although these conditions are not wonderful for sun and fun, the waves and the other related outcomes provide exceptional study opportunities. Nighttime temperatures are generally in the 70's. Plan on lots of humidity!! This is also the peak of thunderstorm season.
Participants are expected to bring a comfortable set of walking shoes/sneakers, a hat, sun protection (skin and eyes, as appropriate), and I hate to say it, mosquito repellent. The mosquito population is very dependent on prevailing wind direction and we won't know until we are there just how bad or good it may be. Cameras and videocameras will help participants capture their experiences for use back in the classroom. A brief session on creating time-lapse cloud photography and using digital cameras will be offered.
The course will be run as a participant-initiated, faculty-directed, inquiry into the coastal environment. Participants will make observations and formulate hypotheses, with constructive criticism from the staff. However, participants will not be dragged from a place before being told "a right answer" (note that there may be several "right" answers). Evening lectures / discussions / debriefings will be held, as needed. Hands-on activities will be undertaken throughout.
Each participant will receive a "beach care package" including some reference books, topographic maps, and other classroom resource/reference materials.
Teacher evaluations and grades will be based on "active participation", keeping a daily journal, and developing a classroom lesson plan and activities based on information and materials gained during the course.
Although the course is designed as a serious educational opportunity, there will be ample spare time to relish the coastal environment, partake in the numerous activities available, and enjoy the amenities associated with our accommodations.
Selected Highlights (subject to change)
Accommodations
You will be staying at a large beach cottage, with the latest amenities. There are at least 4 TVs (with cable, especially to monitor the Weather Channel), a stereo system, a fully equipped 16' x 32' pool, a hot tub, a ping-pong table, a Foosball table, numerous table games, two bar-b-que grills, lots of deck space, full kitchen facilities (we'll normally have breakfast and dinner at the cottage), 6 1/2 bathrooms, an outside shower, and laundry facilities. Participants will be expected to share in the responsibility of cooking and caring for the cottage. Parking is limited, so we will have to make arrangements for carpooling and or other group travel. Participants (other than those from the local Washington area who may carpool with me) will be expected to fly into and out of Norfolk, VA or car pool with others from their area. Arrival should be by noon on Monday, August 6th; plan to depart Norfolk around noon on Monday, August 13th.
For the most part, rooms will be double occupancy (with private bath). Depending upon number of teachers enrolled, one larger room may have up to four occupants. The cottage is air-conditioned and has several ceiling fans.
Internet access (through a local ISP) will be available for anyone bringing a portable computer. We will also use our portable computer for handling one or more daily weather briefings.
Cost
Tuition and fees to University = standard for 4 credit graduate course
Lodging = approximately $500 per person per week (may be slightly adjusted up or down depending upon number of participants)
Your transportation to / from NC = variable -- a function of your origin point (if driving, carpooling is strongly encouraged); and cost of shuttle service / our providing transportation to / from Norfolk, VA.
Meals and incidental expenses = $200 - $300 for the week depending upon menu and activities
Materials, admissions, and local transportation expenses = TBD (will depend upon number of vehicles, actual schedule, etc). We will likely use a 10 to 12 passenger van to facilitate enroute discussions. Estimated $150 - $200 per person.
Again, if you have any questions about the course, please contact us and we'll try to answer your questions promptly. Or contact Angela Cristini, Director, Master of Science in Educational Technology (MSET) - (201) 684-7721.
This page was updated on July 30, 2001.
