The 2023 NEOSEC Ocean Literacy Summit:
Connecting Climate, Communities, and Coasts
November 15-17, 2023
The ninth biennial New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative (NEOSEC) Ocean Literacy Summit: Connecting Climate, Communities, and Coasts will take place in Gloucester, MA, on November 15 – 17, 2023 at the beautiful Beauport Hotel. We will address coastal issues in New England communities that arise from climate change and how the Ocean Literacy principles help us understand them. We are honored to be able to host the summit in Gloucester during its 400+ anniversary supporting their vision to inspire future generations to honor the past and work collectively to frame the future. The Summit will focus on connecting scientists, educators, and community leaders to critically think about equitable collaboration, share best practices, and provide networking opportunities.
Registration
ONLINE registration is now closed, but walk in registration will be available at the Summit – at the registration desk on Wednesday (at the Brewery) and on Thursday (at Beauport Hotel – Summit location).
- Full registration, including opening reception, Thursday day of talks, and Friday fieldtrips is $250.
- One day registration for Thursday is $175.
Ties to Ocean Literacy
At the Summit, we will address coastal issues in New England communities that arise from climate change and how the Ocean Literacy Principles help us understand them. Click on "Ties to Ocean Literacy" title above to explore the Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts that pertain to what you will hear.
The 2023 Ocean Literacy Summit will be at the Beauport Hotel
We do have a room block at the Beauport Hotel where the Summit will be held. Rooms are available at $209/night plus taxes. If you would like to make a reservation, you can simply fill out this form. You will be responsible for paying for the room upon arrival. They are not requiring a card to hold the room. You can also call 978-282-0008 to book and reference the block the code “OCLIT” and/or “Ocean Literacy Summit”.
Other locations may be found around Gloucester.
Summit Agenda
We are happy to announce our 2023 Summit Agenda! Thank you to all who replied to our call for presenters. We welcome you to register and enjoy three days of events. Click on the titles below to explore the details!
Wednesday, November 15 (5-8pm): TRIVIA NIGHT
Location: Great Marsh Brewing Company – 99 Main St, Essex, MA
- Come meet and hang out with like minded ocean stewards
- Ocean Trivia at 6:30 pm with prizes from our sponsor Waterlust!
- Appetizers provided, cash bar
Did you already register but wish to bring a guest to the opening reception and trivia? Purchase an extra ticket now or at the door for $15.
Thursday, November 16 (8:30am-5pm): SUMMIT DAY - Talks, Networking, and Learning
Friday, November 17: FIELD TRIPS
Field Trips will run in various locations throughout the day on Friday, generally from 9 – 11 am, 11-1 pm, or 4 – 6 pm. Sign up forms will be emailed to those who have registered.
If you have registered but haven’t received the field trip link to sign up, please email Nicole. Registration for Field Trips will also be available on Thursday at Summit Registration for any spots that may still available.
Click here to download PDF of all Field Trip offerings and details.
Locations include:
Description: The mission of Maritime Gloucester is to inspire students and visitors to value maritime heritage, marine science, and environmental stewardship through hands-on education and experiences. Take a guided tour of Maritime Gloucester’s campus (some outside, weather permitting), Museum, and brand new Maritime Science Education Center (~30-45 min); Partake in a Plankton Lab where you will observe and identify different species of local marine plankton under microscopes (~15-20 minutes) and a guided dissection of either squid or oysters (~30min).
Capacity: 30 (min. 10)
Notes: Some of the tour will take place outdoors, weather permitting. Most of the facility is wheelchair accessible.
Getting there: 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA
If the weather is nice, Maritime Gloucester is within walking distance of the Beauport Hotel (0.6 mile, mostly flat); There is a parking lot and parking along Harbor Loop for those with a car; Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA) offers an on-demand transit service for a small fee.
Description: A fishing museum as well as an art museum, join docents from The Cape Ann Museum for a tour of the Maritime & Fisheries galleries. The collection includes Jim Hooper’s portraits of Gloucester’s Working Waterfront, a First Order Fresnel Lens, Howard Blackburn’s ship, Alfred Johnson’s modified dory, and much more! A hands-on activity will complement the tour – fish-prints! Located in the oldest fishing port in America, Cape Ann Museum is committed to preserving the stories all relating to a single remarkable place.
Capacity: 40 (min. 6)
Notes: The Museum is fully wheelchair accessible with ramps, two extra chairs on site, and elevators.
Getting there: 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA
The Cape Ann Museum is a 0.5 mile walk up a gentle hill from The Beauport Hotel, or a 4 minute drive.
Description: *This field trip will visit two different sites* GMGI addresses critical challenges facing our oceans, human health and the environment through innovative scientific research and education. Meet and begin the tour at Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, the educational entity of GMGI. Learn about the unique biotechnology and biomanufacturing learning environment where students with a high school diploma or equivalent receive hands-on training for professional careers as lab technicians (30 minutes). Then head to GMGI’s headquarters and Research Institute on the Harbor (less than 5 min drive) where a research scientist will lead a tour through their marine genomics laboratory (30 minutes).
Capacity: 15
Notes: Both buildings are ADA accessible.
Getting there: Gloucester Biotechnology Academy (55 Blackburn Drive Gloucester, MA) and GMGI headquarters (417 Main Street, Gloucester MA, 01930)
The Gloucester Biotechnology Academy is about 2.4 miles from the Beauport Hotel, and about 1.6 miles from the Research Institute. Driving, carpooling, or taxi are recommended. Ample parking is available.
Description: The Trustees of Reservations is here to protect and share the Massachusetts places people love for their exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value. Join us for a 2.5-hour guided hike with hands-on activities, exploring the salt marsh, dunes, and beachfront habitats of our 2100 acre outdoor classroom at The Crane Estate in Ipswich. Participants will learn techniques for engaging learners in the outdoors, and get an overview of the coastal management strategies The Trustees are implementing to increase coastal resilience on our properties. Participants should dress for the weather and be prepared for a 2-3 mile hike across unpaved trails and soft sand with moderate elevation gain.
Capacity: 20 (min. 5)
Notes: This field trip is mostly outdoors (weather permitting) and involves hiking 2-3 miles. We will start with an indoor presentation then head outside. The facility and indoor presentation portion are ADA accessible.
Getting there: 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 01938. The Crane Estate is a ~30 minute drive from Gloucester.
Description: Join Seacoast Science Center naturalists and guest community partners after hours for Nature @ Nite – family-friendly event with S.T.E.A.M. activities and a guided nature program. Activities are designed to build confidence and empower participants of all ages in learning through science play and discovery. Stations will engage you in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics learning. Harvest Time Program: Fall is a time for giving thanks for nature’s bounty and for one another. Come make a quill pen and learn how to share your thanks using traditional calligraphy. Test your game skills and see how far you can launch acorns with a catapult. And, make a cornhusk doll to take home to don your Thanksgiving table.
Capacity: No limit, everyone welcome
Notes: Dress for outdoor exploration, and remember it is typically cooler at the shore!
Getting there: 570 Ocean Boulevard Rye, NH 03870-2104
SSC is at Odiorne Point State Park, 51 miles North of the Beauport Hotel. It will take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there. Driving or carpooling is recommended.
Description: Come birding out at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge with our team of educators and learn how to integrate hands-on science-based birding lessons in your institutions to use both in the field and in your classrooms. Back in our education center we will show you abridged activities & the animal husbandry of our tide pool touch tank programs and will wrap up with a guided (BYO) lunch to reflect on our learnings from the day. Our team will meet you at 9:00 at the Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Sanctuary to split up into vans for our low-mobility birding session on the PRNWR and will conclude touch tanks back at Joppa for an informal lunch at 12:00. There will also be a chance to view Susan Quateman’s Student Explorations: The Great Marsh and Climate change, a project combining art and science created by students from the River Valley Charter School in Newburyport.
Capacity: 18
Notes: Please make sure you are on time, dress in layers, bring binoculars if you have them (otherwise we can provide), and have a spirit for adventure that is ready to learn. Bring your own lunch to enjoy with others at the end of the tour (optional).
Getting there: 1 Plum Island Turnpike Newburyport, MA 01950
24 miles North of the Beauport Hotel, about a 45 minute drive.
https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/joppa-flats
Summit Sponsors
