2012 National Marine Educators Conference

North to Alaska’s Seas: A Confluence of Science and Culture

June 24-28 • Anchorage, Alaska • University of Alaska Anchorage

Join fellow NMEA-ers in Anchorage, or “Tikatnu,” the “big ocean river” place of the Dena’ina Athabascan Indians, on Cook Inlet.

Hosted by:
Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (NAME)
Alaska Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE AK)

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Call for Presenters: Deadline—February 17, 2012
Download Presenter Form: (PDF, 268 KB |Word, 120 KB)

Early Registration: January 23 – April 14, 2012
Registration Begins: April 15, 2012

Conference Schedule: (PDF, 44 KB |Word, 38 KB)

Frequently Asked Questions: (PDF, 304 KB |Word, 68 KB)

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Conference Themes • Back to Top

Science and Art

Presentations involving the use of the arts, including visual arts, music, dance, film, and literature to frame learning experiences, celebrate the world of water and to promote ocean and aquatic literacy are invited.

Science and Culture

Presentations that address culturally-responsive approaches to marine and aquatic science education, making it more relevant and meaningful to the learner, are invited. This strand will emphasize ‘Traditional knowledge’; the totality of experiential knowledge of the natural environment of a people, acquired over time, and passed from generation to generation such that it has become part of a people’s cultural identity. The sharing of perspectives, programs and collaborative strategies that embrace and support traditional knowledge and integrate that knowledge with western-science-based marine education and outreach is especially encouraged. In addition, those that promote career development for cultural and racial groups typically underrepresented in marine and aquatic sciences are encouraged to submit.

Science and Technology

Presentations involving the use of educational technology to enhance learning and strategies to focus on marine technology in STEM (Science –Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) to enhance students’ understanding of marine and freshwater systems are invited. Presenters emphasizing a ‘how to’ approach will be well received.

Large Marine Ecosystem Science and Education

Alaska’s shores and rivers are part of three major marine ecosystems; the Arctic Ocean, Bering/Aleutian, and Gulf of Alaska. Education program presentations that have a marine ecosystem perspective and scale, including the associated freshwater systems are invited, particularly those relevant to the Large Marine Ecosystem classifications developed by the United Nations and adopted by NOAA to implement the 2004 US Ocean Action Plan. Maps are available of the marine ecosystems and associated watersheds at http://www.lme.noaa.gov/. 

Special Events • Back to Top

June 24—Opening reception and keynote speech by Fran Ulmer, former Lieutenant Governor of Alaska and current Chair of the Arctic Research Commission
June 25—Reception at the Anchorage Museum of History and Culture
June 26—Banquet, auction, and Stegner Lecture by Ray Troll, conference artist
June 27—Day Field Trips to Seward and Anchorage area, Anchorage Coastal Trail walk and seafood barbecue

Three plenary sessions, six speakers: scientists, artists, and Alaska Native and other indigenous culture bearers

Post-conference Field Trips—Homer, Cordova, and other destinations

Registration Fee: $325 • Back to Top

Exhibitors: Registration for exhibits will open at the same time that early registration begins. One paid registration will be required and an exhibitor fee of $200 for commercial exhibitors, $50 for non-profit exhibitors. Exhibit Space Application: (PDF, 376 KB |Word, 156 KB)

Housing • Back to Top

Dorms: 300 single dorm rooms with shared bath (2 people) in doubles or quads. Nightly rate of $44.80/night. NMEA conference registrants may reserve one additional room for an accompanying spouse or family member.

Blocks of rooms have been reserved at two conference hotels:
Marriott Springfield Suites – University Lake: $180/room, double (queens) or single (king). Located within easy walking distance of the university cafeteria and dorms. Airport shuttle available on request. Continental breakfast buffet and high-speed wireless in rooms. Rooms at the conference rate from June 24-28, with a smaller number of rooms available from June 14-23 and June 28 - July 5. Reservations: Call the 24-hour reservations center (888-284-1887) and ask for the NMEA room block at the Anchorage University Lake Springhill Suites. Availability ends 30 days before the conference.

Ramada Inn Downtown: $139/room + tax. Located close to downtown Anchorage, 30 minutes from the UAA campus by car or taxi, 45 minutes by bus. 24-hour complimentary airport shuttle. Continental breakfast buffet and free high-speed wireless available in rooms. 25 rooms are available at the conference rate from June 17-20, June 24-27, and June 30-July 5; 10 rooms are available on other dates during this period. Send reservation requests, with a reference to the NMEA Conference to reservations@alaskaramada.com. Provide guest name(s), arrival date, departure date, room type (one bed or two bed), physical mailing address, telephone number, and credit card number along with its expiration date. Reservations will NOT be guaranteed without a valid credit card.

Other Housing Alternatives:
Anchorage has a variety of hotels, motels, and B & Bs, within proximity to bus service to the UAA campus. Summer rates are high. Be sure to read guest reviews of the lowest-priced options. Local hostels are not recommended.

For listings, go to the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau website and
Anchorage Bed & Breakfast Association listings

Anchorage is the center for RV rentals in Alaska and rental prices are reasonable. Parking (without hook-ups) is available on campus and parking and hook-ups are available at nearby commercial RV parks. RVs are,or course, not the recommended alternative for travel around Alaska but using one as a base for NMEA would involve driving it only a few miles.

Meals

Meals are available at the university cafeteria for $8.25 breakfast, $11.25 lunch, and $14.25 dinner. Three lunches and the conference banquet are included in the registration fee.

Getting to Anchorage • Back to Top

Anchorage is served by several major airlines.

An Alaska Airlines discount is available for travel from June 17th through July 5th for conference participants.

• Be sure to use the NMEA Discount Code: ECMG383.
• Input the Discount Code on the Alaska Airlines website when searching for flights. The discount will be applied to any flights meeting the contract parameters. By clicking the “?” next to the discount code box after entering the code you may view a detailed description of the rules.
• You and your guests may also use the Discount Code by calling Alaska Airlines Group Desk; however a $15.00 per person ticketing fee will apply.
• Please check your contracts for validity dates, rules and restrictions.
• If you use the discount code, please submit ticket numbers to astewart.bms@gmail.com after you have booked so that NAME can qualify for one free ticket for every 40 purchased. This will help provide travel scholarships for those who cannot afford the trip to attend (and volunteer).

Getting to Campus or other locations in Anchorage

The campus is a 30-minute taxi ride from Anchorage International Airport and from downtown Anchorage at a cost of $15-20. Bus service is available between downtown Anchorage and the campus. Many Anchorage hotels have airport shuttle service, however this is not available to downtown hotels.