Our Mission
The mission of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Teacher at Sea program is to give teachers a clearer insight into our ocean planet, a greater understanding of maritime work and studies, and to increase their level of environmental literacy by fostering an interdisciplinary research experience. The program provides a unique environment for learning and teaching by sending kindergarten through college-level teachers to sea aboard NOAA research and survey ships to work under the tutelage of scientists and crew. Then, armed with new understanding and experience, teachers bring this knowledge back to their classrooms. Indeed, the greatest payoff of NOAA's Teacher at Sea program is the enthusiasm for learning about our ocean planet generated between teachers and students.

Since its inception in 1990, NOAA's Teacher at Sea program has enabled more than 430 teachers to gain first-hand experience of science at sea. By participating in this program, it becomes possible for teachers to enrich their classroom curricula with a depth of understanding made possible by living and working side-by-side, day and night, with those who contribute to the world's body of oceanic and atmospheric scientific knowledge.

Teachers may select a cruise aboard one of NOAA's 18 participating ships, which conduct three main types of research: fisheries research; oceanographic and atmospheric research; and hydrographic surveys. For more information on these cruises, please visit our Web site at http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov.

Criteria for Selection
Though most teachers take advantage of NOAA's Teacher at Sea program during the summer, cruises are available throughout most of the year on a space-available basis. Cruises range from approximately one week to one month. Teachers on sabbatical may have the option to go on an extended cruise; in recent years, teachers have participated in cruises going to Australia, Japan and Chile.

The application for NOAA's Teacher at Sea program is available at http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov. It requires you to submit two recommendation letters, a health questionnaire, and most importantly, to discuss how you foresee applying your at-sea experience to your curriculum.

To be considered for becoming a NOAA Teacher at Sea, you will be expected to:

Giving Back as a NOAA Teacher at Sea
Teachers must be willing to fulfill several program requirements during and upon completion of their cruise:

Benefits for All
The benefits of NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program are substantial:

Costs
All necessary travel costs are paid for by NOAA's Teacher at Sea program. While airfare is paid for upfront by the government, all other necessary travel costs are reimbursed.

NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
NOAA's Teacher at Sea program is coordinated and administered by the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. OMAO operates, manages and maintains the NOAA fleet of ships and aircraft in support of NOAA's mission to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet the nation's economic, social and environmental needs. OMAO is composed of civilians, wage mariners and the officers of the NOAA Commissioned Corps, one of the nation's seven uniformed services.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a Department of Commerce agency, conducts research and gathers data about the global oceans, atmosphere, space and sun, and applies this knowledge to science and service that touch the lives of all Americans. NOAA warns of dangerous weather, charts the seas and skies, guides the use and protection of ocean and coastal resources, and conducts research to improve the understanding and stewardship of the environment that sustains us all.

Contact Information
For more information contact Jennifer Hammond, Teacher at Sea program manager, at (301) 713-3418, ext. 138, or by e-mail at Jennifer.Hammond@noaa.gov.