2025 Pilot Testing & Pedagogy Workshop

OOI Data Labs: 2025 Pilot Testing & Pedagogy Workshop

Participants discuss how best to interpret a graph as part of a nonsense data activity.

May 18-21, 2025

The Grand Hotel of Cape May
Cape May, NJ

Key Workshop Goals

During the workshop, participants will:

Learn about the OOI program and how to effectively incorporate OOI datasets into your classes.
Learn how to support data literacy skills development by using the learning cycle to structure your lessons.
Review and pilot test a new collection of data-focused lab activities.
Share your favorite hands-on activities and develop a compilation to support OOI Data Labs activities.
Network with other professors interested in using oceanographic data in undergraduate education.

Workshop Overview

The workshop will begin on Sunday afternoon with an opening session and reception, and will conclude after dinner on Wednesday.

Sunday (Day 1): Welcome dinner and workshop overview.
Monday (Day 2): New participants learn about the OOI and how to use data effectively in their teaching. Lesson authors work on reviewing and finalizing their new activities.
Tuesday (Day 3): All participants pilot test the new lesson collection. Deep dives (field trips and presentations) on ocean acidification and forest fire impacts on the ocean will inspire participants to develop complete “learning cycle” driven lesson plans.
Wednesday (Day 4): Participants share hands-on activities and discuss strategies supplement the Data Labs collection.

Workshop Agenda

Note, this is a draft agenda. Times and sessions may change.

Sunday

Sunday, May 18

Objective: Group welcome and the Learning Cycle framework

Time	Topic, Objectives & Activities
3:00 pm	Check in at the hotel
4:00 pm	Welcome and Introductions Meet each other and the project team. Review the goals for the week.
4:45 pm	Introduction to the Learning Cycle Learn about various Learning Cycle frameworks and how you can use them to plan lessons and develop students’ skills. Presentation: Welcome (Janice McDonnell) Presentation: Crabs (Paul Jivoff) Presentation: Learning Cycles (Troy Sadler) Thinking Routines Five Foundational Ideas on Learning What is the Learning Cycle Group Reflection
6:30 pm	Welcome Group Dinner at the Hotel
8:00 pm	Conclude for the evening

Monday

Monday, May 19

Lab authors will meet at the Rutgers AIC Office on Delaware Ave. All other new Data Lab participants will meet in the Crystal Room at the Hotel.

Objective: How to teach with data and the OOI. Data skills development using OOI science, OOI Data Explorations, and the OOI Data Explorer.

Time	Topic, Objectives & Activities
7:30 am	Breakfast available at the hotel
8:30	Welcome and Announcements Review the schedule and goals for day.
8:45	Teaching with Data Highlight and discuss the challenges of teaching with authentic data. What is it like for learners to work with information that is new and overwhelming? Introduce how OOS and the OOI can help. Introduce the importance of Data Literacy in undergraduate education. Presentation: Teaching with Data (Janice McDonnell) Nonsense Data Activity: Handout, and Facilitator Guide Educating with Data (Hotaling, 2019) Advancing Climate Literacy through investment in Pre-Service Educators (ACLIPSE)
10:00	Teaching with Observatory Data – Part 1 Discuss challenges in working with ocean datasets, and brainstorm strategies for proactively addressing student resistance to quantitative tasks. Balloon Density Simulation (MARE, Lawrence Hall of Science) Divers of Seawater Density – Data Exploration What is the QFT? (Question Formulation Technique) from the Right Question Institute
10:30	Coffee Break
10:45	Teaching with Observatory Data – Part 2 – The OOI Today An introduction the history, composition and goals of the OOI and the science it supports. Learn about why and how the OOI was created, the scientific questions it is trying to address and the kinds of cutting-edge oceanographic research it can support. Presentation: OOI Overview (Dax Soule) The OOI Website The OOI Facilities Board Website TOS Oceanography: Special Issue on the Ocean Observatories Initiative The Ocean Observatories Initiative, by Trowbridge et al., in Frontiers of Marine Science 2019.
	Teaching with Observatory Data – Part 3 – OOI Data Explorations Explore the collection of OOI Data Explorations to see how complex datasets can used to build data literacy and scientific explanation skills Presentation: An Exploration of Data Explorations (Sage Lichtenwalner) Data Explorations Collection 1. Anoxic Events (Exploration) 2. Dynamic air-sea interactions (all 3) 3. Changes in Salinity (Exploration & Concept Invention) 4. Changes in Salinity with Depth (Application) 5. Seismic Features of a seamount (Exploration) 6. Seasonal Variability In The Mixed Layer (Concept Invention) 7. Plate tectonics and the seafloor (Exploration) 8. Magma Movement and the Shape of the Seafloor (Exploration) Data Exploration Discussion Worksheet
12:15 pm	Lunch
1:00	The OOI Data Explorer Explore and learn about the data provided by the OOI Data Explorer, including the arrays (Pioneer MAB, Endurance, Irminger Sea, Cabled Array, etc.), instruments, and how to access it through the provided data delivery methods (OOI Data Portal, ERDDAP, M2M, Raw Data archive, IRIS). Explore the data portal in pairs to discover what’s there. Presentation: OOI Data Explorer Introduction (Sage Lichtenwalner) Data Explorer – Web Quest Worksheet
2:30	Develop your own activity using the OOI Data Explorer Participants explore the Data Explorer and design their own Data Exploration-like activity to engage their students on a scientific concept using data skills and the Learning Cycle. Presentation: Creating Activities with the OOI Data Portal (Sage Lichtenwalner) Data Explorer Activity Guide
3:00	Break
3:15	Introduction to Implementation Planning Review the implementation worksheet to guide your planning. Participants have the option to work in small groups and/or consult with facilitators and peer educators on their individual course ideas. Implementation Plan Worksheet
	Data Explorer exploration and activity development (continued)
4:15	Data Exploration Activity Brainstorm Share Out Participants share the datasets and activity/lesson ideas they have developed.
4:45	Reflection and Feedback Review and reflect on what was learned today. Share out how you are doing! Fill out “Road Check” survey
5:00	Conclude for the day – Dinner on your own

Tuesday

Tuesday, May 20

Objective: Exploring and pilot testing new OOI Lab Manual activities to explore OOI data and develop student’s skills.

Time	Topic, Objectives & Activities
7:30 am	Breakfast available at the hotel
8:30	Welcome and announcements Review the schedule and goals for day. Address any road check comments from yesterday. Review OOI QFT questions from yesterday and any questions participants came up with overnight.
8:45	Pilot Test #1 – Ocean Acidification Review and pilot test the new Ocean Acidification activity as your students would. Presentation: Ocean Acidification Activity (ppt) New Lab 11 – Ocean Acidification
10:00	Leave for AIC
10:30	Tour of the NJ Aquaculture Innovation Center Explore ideas on how Ocean Acidification and aquaculture science can support OOI-based activities, including the new Lab Manual chapter, hands-on activities, or Data Explorer based activities.
12:15 pm	Box lunch at Cape May Point or Hotel Beach
1:30	Wildfires and Ocean/Estuary Connections Learn about recent research on wildfires and potential connections and impacts with the ocean. Presentation: Forest Fire Ecology & Management (Matt Olson, Stockton University)
2:15	Pilot Test #2 – Wildfire Impacts on the Ocean Review and pilot test the new Wildfires activity as your students would. New Lab 12 – Wildfires
3:00	Break
3:15	Teaching with OOI Data Labs: Introduction to the OOI Data Lab Manual Review the content, structure, and goals of the OOI Data Labs manual and how it can be integrated into Learning Cycle-based teaching. Presentation: Lab Manual Overview (Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert, Denise Bristol)
3:30	Lab Manual Activity Review #1 Participants meeting in small groups to provide an “expert review” of one of the other new Data Lab Manual activities. Lab 6 – Density Stratification (revision) Lab 7 – Water Masses (new) Lab 11 – Ocean Acidification (new – morning lesson) Lab 12 – Wildfires (new – afternoon lesson) Feedback Documents
4:45	Reflection and Feedback Review and reflect on what was learned today. Share out how you are doing! Fill out “Road Check” survey
5:00	Wrap-up
6:00	Group Reception at the Hotel
7:00	Dinner on your own

Wednesday

Wednesday, May 21

Objective: Hands-on activities, implementation planning, and an educational share-a-thon. Reflection and looking forward!

Time	Topic, Objectives & Activities
7:30 am	Breakfast available at hotel
8:30	Welcome and announcements Review the schedule and goals for day and any road check comments from yesterday
8:45	Hands-on Round Robin Participants will share and review suggested hands-on activities that could potentially support concepts covered in the OOI Data Labs Manual. TOS Hands-On Oceanography TOS Teaching Physical Concepts in Oceanography
10:30	Break
10:45	Lab Manual Activity Review #2 Participants split up into small groups to review and provide feedback on the other new and revised activities.
12:15 pm	Lunch
1:00	New Lab Manual Chapter – Author Review Discussion Continuing reviewing the new activities, providing feedback to lesson authors.
2:00	Implementation Planning Participants work on personal implementation plans to incorporate OOI activities into their teaching. Develop short-term and long-term goals based on your key takeaways from the workshops. You can also use this time to consult with facilitators and peer educators on your course ideas. Implementation Plan Worksheet
3:00	Break
3:15	Share-a-thon Presentations from Participants (Microlab) Each participant shares their reflections and plans, and provides feedback to others.
4:30	Taking it home / What’s Next Review the many ways we can use OOI in teaching Presentation: Workshop Review (Janice McDonnell) What are the next steps for the project moving forward? How can I stay involved in the OOI Data Labs Community? OOI Discourse Forum: Education Discussions
4:45	Final Reflection and Feedback Review and reflect on what we accomplished together. Complete the final workshop evaluation!
5:15	Break
6:00	Group Farewell Dinner at the Hotel

Pre-Workshop Info

Pre-Workshop Information

Intro Webinar:
- April 29, 2025 at 4:00 pm ET (check your email for the link)
- Presentation Slides
Conference Hotel & Location
- The Grand Hotel of Cape May, 1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 (google maps)
Homework
- Travel Logistics: Please contact Mitaali to confirm how you will travel to the workshop, and the nights you will be staying at the hotel.
- Please fill out our pre-survey so we may learn a little more about you! This will help us fine-tune our workshop agenda and help us meet your objectives. (check your email)
- Complete the first lab of the Data Labs Manual. This will help you orient to the Data Labs project and maximize our time together.
- Bring a copy of your syllabus or course schedule. This will help you think about how the Data Labs can fit into your existing course. We will have several of the authors at the workshop who will be working with you to help you integrate the labs into your class workflow
- Don’t forget your laptop! This will help us explore the labs together in small working groups.
- Bring your favorite hands-on demonstration or activity to share at the workshop. What activities you do that you know create a light bulb moment for your students? (If you are flying, let us know if there are any materials you need.)

Workshop Participants

Tentative list as of May 7, 2025

Participants

Kari Benson,University of Lynchburg
Colleen Bove, Ursinus College
Trevor Browning, Elmira College
Patricia Caroccia, Tidewater Community College (Norfolk Campus)
Larry Collins, Longwood University
Kristen Coolbear, Virginia Peninsula Community College
Joshua Filina, Palm Beach State College
Jenna Lee, Princeton U
Timothy Macaluso, Brookdale Community College- NJ
Kennedy Paynter, University of Maryland, College Park
Elizabeth Sargent, University of Delaware
Silke Severmann, Rutgers University
Laura Treible, Savannah State University
Karen Yip, Houston Community College – Central/Midtown

Pedagogy Mentor Participants

Paul Jivoff, Rider University
Troy Sadler, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Karin Warren, Randolph College

OOI Lab Author Participants

Jean Anastasia, Suffolk CC
Meg Blome, East Carolina University
Haley Cabaniss, College of Charleston
Julie Cisneros, Palm Beach State University
Claire Condie, Middlesex County College
Natasha Gownaris, Gettysburg College
Lisa Hall, Virginia Peninsula Community College
Angelos Hannides, Coastal Carolina University
Tracy Quan, Oklahoma State
Eatai Roth, Gettysburg College

Facilitators & Presenters

Janice McDonnell, Rutgers University – New Brunswick (Project Lead)
Denise Bristol, Hillsborough Community College
Sage Lichtenwalner, Rutgers University – New Brunswick
Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert, Stockton University
Dax Soule, Queens College CUNY
Mitaali Taskar, Rutgers University – New Brunswick (Communications Coordinator)

Please contact mcdonnel@marine.rutgers.edu with any questions.