Explorer of the Seas
Introduction
Institutions
Data
Observations
About the Model
Data Assimilation
Assimilation Products
Assimilation Impact
Ensemble Archives
References
Acknowledgements
Public Outreach and Education
The sea trial component of the proposed research is not only a valuable operational exercise, but also an important public outreach activity. The ocean lab attracts some 15-20K visitors per year during its normal cruise operations, and public awareness of the fragile nature of the ocean environment is high. RCCL also promotes environmental awareness via its "Save the Waves" program, and the Explorer ocean lab has been featured in a number of Discovery Channel documentaries. All federally-funded Explorer ocean lab activities will clearly raise public awareness of scientific ocean research. As a public outreach and educational activity, animations of each ocean model forecast will be displayed as they become available (using tools developed by David Robertson) on a computer monitor located in the Explorer ocean lab. This will enhance existing public exhibits. In addition to the regular onboard RSMAS technician and visiting scientists, project personnel (Powell, Moore, Milliff, Morzel, and Chhak) will also be available during January and February 2007 aboard the Explorer to guide visitors through the forecast system.