Oct. 16, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information:
Melissa Reeves, mdreeves@jeffco.k12.co.us, Jeffco Public Schools, 303-982-6567
Lynn Setzer, lsetzer@jeffco.k12.co.us, Jeffco Public Schools, 303-982-6810

TEACHER JUMPS IN DEEP WATER TO TEACH CLASS

It’s a journey that could take Alameda High School marine biology teacher Steve Houwen nearly 65 feet under water, but he won’t be holding his breath.

Houwen could soon be inside NOAA's Aquarius Reef Base training as a saturation diver and conducting research studies as part of the Teacher Under the Sea program.

From Nov. 3-20, 2008, based four miles off the Atlantic coast near Key Largo, FL, Houwen will journal his experience through electronic journaling, Web casts and video conferencing to connect with his own students and other students from around the world.

The 100th mission science experience will bring an exciting look at living and working underwater to classrooms.

Houwen was selected as the alternate and will train with the team, participate in the research study from the surface and hope to make the mission under the sea.

Houwen co-founded Alameda’s SCUBA club, directs the annual Marine Biology Field Experience and developed an educational plan as a primary part of the mission that will be used by local schools prior to, during and after the mission.

The selection of a land-locked teacher for this mission is important because it will increase interest in the marine environment and provides an opportunity for students in the Denver area to get first-hand exposure to ocean research.

Learn more about the Aquarius Reef Base at www.uncw.edu/aquarius/

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For information, call Communications Services, 303-982-6808.