#07–91 March 26, 2007

ACE Basin Adventure teacher workshop offered June 7-10

Teachers from Colleton, Charleston, Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper counties are invited to participate in a free four-day adventure workshop in June.

The four-day Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto (ACE) Basin Adventure workshop takes place June 7-10 at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) facilities in the ACE Basin in Colleton County. DNR education coordinators are recruiting interested teachers of all subjects of grades 6-12 in the lower coastal counties of Charleston, Colleton, Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper, with no prior experiences in the ACE Basin necessary for participation.
           
This year’s workshop, funded by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation Grant, is offered for teachers in lower coastal counties with next year’s focus on teachers in the northern coastal counties. Teachers will spend three evenings in the ACE Basin and participate in land-based classroom activities and adventurous field-based programs throughout the weekend. There is no cost to participate, and lodging and meals will be provided. Workshop program offerings support state standard curriculum guidelines and will allow teachers to use information, ideas and activities within their own classrooms. Additionally, teachers are eligible for renewal credit through participation in the ACE Basin Adventure workshop.
           
For an application and additional information, contact Elizabeth Vernon, DNR coordinator of the Carolina Coastal Discovery Marine Education Program, (843) 953-9359, or vernone@dnr.sc.gov. Interested teachers are encouraged to apply early, as space is limited to 15 participants.

The workshop will provide teachers with an opportunity to learn more about estuarine ecology, hammock islands, sea turtles and water quality among many other topics relevant to the ACE Basin. This area boasts a world-class ecosystem rich in habitat diversity, wildlife and historical significance, and represents one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast. Activities for workshop participants will include kayaking down the Ashepoo River, discovering the night sounds of a forest, tracking sea turtle nesting activity, a marine trawl aboard the catamaran E/V Discovery, water quality sampling and exploration of nearby barrier islands.