Sue Oltman (TAS 2012) represented the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program at a regional NSTA conference in Atlanta, GA on November 1-3, 2012. 
 
Sue informed the public about Teacher at Sea and distributed NOAA education materials. Her work at the conference helped to teach science teachers and others NOAA’s mission and service to the public, as well as show NOAA’s impact on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Sue also shared her experience as a NOAA Teacher at Sea during the session, “Oceans of Professional Development” with Albert Einstein Distinguished Fellow, Britta Culbertson. 
 
Sue felt that the conference helped her articulate the Teacher at Sea Program in a concise way to teachers. She said, “Speaking with teachers of all grade levels allowed me to share the reasons for NOAA funded research projects and their importance to education. The connections I made with other science teachers gave me the chance to share my lesson ideas and gain new lesson and pacing ideas from others, as well as more grant opportunities. This was a very energizing experience! Teachers need fresh ideas and ways to get excited about their subject every chance they get, as the energy bleeds over into the classroom. I was very fired up to connect with any and all who wanted to listen and share. As a natural extrovert, I love meeting new people and broadening my perspective. I’ve been a member of NSTA since I began teaching. I really appreciated having some time to participate in sessions relevant to my current teaching field.” 
 
Sue Oltman, an earth science teacher at Kittredge Magnet School in Atlanta, GA, was aboard R/V Melville while scientists conducted Long-Term Evolution and Coupling of the Boundary layers in the Stratus Deck regions of the eastern tropical Pacific. 
   
You can read Sue’s blogs here.