GENERAL INFORMATION
The 20th annual conference of the South Carolina Marine Educators Association, "A Watershed Weekend", will be held October 10-12, 2008, at Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort, Pawley's Island, SC.
Join marine educators and scientists from throughout the state as we focus on the science of watersheds and their connection with the coastal ocean. Highlights include a keynote address, the annual auction, inspiring and educational concurrent sessions, a plenary session on hot topics related to watershed science and policy, as well as hands-on workshops featuring our own scientists, researchers, educators, artists and special invitees. Our "famous" Marine Meringue, and extraordinary field trips complete the weekend!
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Download the registration form.
Only conference registrants will be allowed to attend conference functions. Sorry, no children are permitted. If you have questions regarding registration, please contact Nelle Stephenson at 843-237-9899 or email her at nstephenson@wh.gcsd.k12.sc.us.
LODGING & LOCATION
Our SCMEA conference will take place at the Hotel and Conference Center at Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort, 14276 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
Registration does NOT include accommodations. Reservations and payment for accommodations are up to the conference registrant. Be sure to mention SCMEA or South Carolina Marine Educators when making your registration to get this rate.
Deadline for making reservations at this rate is 12:01 AM on September 10, 2008.
Please make your reservation for lodging directly with the hotel by calling (843) 237-3000 or (toll free) 1-800-845-1897. For additional information on the hotel and meeting rooms, visit the conference location web site at www.litchfieldbeach.com.
Accommodation Choices:
- Summerhouse Suites:
- One bedroom, 1 bath suite, pool or lake view , 2 queen beds, sofa bed, full kitchen, tile walk-in shower, balcony. Resort Amenities Include: 3 On Site Golf Courses, Water Park, Health, Club, Bike Rentals, Bike Trails, Tennis Courts, Fishing Lake, Business Center, Private Beach Access, Wireless Internet Access & Day Spa.
- Cost is $109 per night, plus 15% tax.
- Bridgewater-Suite 1 Bedroom
- One Bedoom-One Bath Oceanfront Suite-2 Double Beds, Sofa Bed, Murphy Bed,.Galley kitchen,Balcony, On Site pool and Lazy River. Resort Amenities Include: 3 On Site Golf Courses, Water Park, Health, Club, Bike Rentals, Bike Trails, Tennis Courts, Fishing Lake, Business Center, Private Beach Access, Wireless Internet Access, Starbucks & Day Spa.
- Cost is $144 per night, plus 15% tax.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Friday
- SCMEA Pre Conference Teacher Workshop & Field Excursion
CANCELED
Waties Island Adventure (12PM-4PM)
Join scientists and educators from the Center for Marine and Wetland Studies at Coastal Carolina University as you explore researching techniques used to monitor processes on Waties Island. Participants will also tour the Center for Marine and Wetland Studies. $20 pp, Limit is 23 people.
Participants will meet directly at the Center for Marine and Wetland Studies in Conway, SC.
- Wine and Cheese Social and Poster Session
Join us after registration for the conference icebreaker. This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Enjoy a poster session on fascinating marine science, education and outreach.
- Keynote Address-
Looking Upstream: How watershed processes affect the coastal ocean, Dr. Susan Libes
Dr. Susan Libes is the founding director of Coastal Carolina University’s Waccamaw Watershed Academy which is located within the Burroughs & Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies. She holds a PhD in chemical oceanography from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology/ Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography and Ocean Engineering. As the director of the Waccamaw Watershed Academy, she engages in research, teaching and public outreach to meet regional needs for protecting water quality in the rivers and coastal waters of Horry and Georgetown counties. She is also a founding member of the Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater Education Consortium whose mission is to help local municipalities to meet stormwater program requirements for public education and public involvement.
-
 Coastal Ghost Stories at Atalaya Castle, Huntington Beach SP
Saturday
- Concurrent Sessions
Stay tuned to the SCMEA Conference website to get up-to-date information on presentation topics and times.
- CANCELED
ROV in a Bucket Workshop Space is limited. Participants must pre-register.
Participants will build low cost remotely operated vehicles that can be used in swimming pools. This program follows curriculum designed by the Marine Advanced Training Education Center of Monterey Peninsula College in California and is part of a NASA/UMES partnership called Robotics in the Classroom. This workshop integrates lessons in electricity, buoyancy, propulsion, geometric design, and teamwork with the natural sciences.
- Exhibits
- Lunch/Business Meeting
We will enjoy some great food and then conduct our annual business meeting. We will also elect our new SCMEA board members.
- Marine Meringue Swap Session
Swap artwork for activities or bring a fossil and leave with an unusual shell! Join SCMEA's fun marine-theme swap session to trade with your colleagues. Anyone can participate. Typical items include posters, books, shells, fossils, sand, bones, skins, skulls, etc.
- Annual SCMEA Auction
This annual fundraiser for our scholarships and awards promises good buys and great fun. Please bring donated items to the SCMEA registration desk or give them to any SCMEA Board member prior to the conference. Please attach a business card from the donor to the auction item. If you have questions, contact Elaine McClure at ebmcc@sc.rr.com.
- Dinner & Live Music
Enjoy a Southern dinner with vegetarian alternatives and a variety of other dishes. "Latitude" (http://www.latitudemusic.net/) will provide island and beach music for listening and dancing into the night.
Sunday
- Farewell Breakfast and Awards
We will enjoy a breakfast together before departing. Scholarship and travel awards will be announced!
- Post Conference Field Trips
PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE AGENDA (Stay tuned to the SCMEA Conference website to get up-to-date information on presentation topics and times)
Friday, October 10
| 9:30 - 11:30 |
|
SCMEA Board meeting |
| 12:00 - 4:00 |
|
Pre-conference workshop to Waties Island |
| 2:00 - 7:00 |
|
Registration |
| 5:30 - 6:00 |
|
"New Friends" reception |
| 5:30 - 6:30 |
|
Wine & Cheese Reception |
| 6:30 - 7:30 |
|
Keynote: Dr. Susan Libes |
| 7:30 - 9:00 |
|
Dinner |
| 9:15 - 10:00 |
|
Coastal Ghost Stories at Atalaya Castle, Huntington Beach SP |
Saturday, October 11
| *Breakfast on your own (*There is a restaurant on site, as well as kitchenettes in the suites.) |
| 8:00 - 12:00 |
|
Registration |
| 8:00 - 4:00 |
|
Exhibits |
| 8:30 - 9:15 |
|
Concurrent Sessions |
| 9:30 - 11:45 |
|
Plenary Session |
| 12:00 - 2:00 |
|
Lunch/Business Meeting |
| 2:00 - 5:00 |
|
Concurrent Sessions |
| 5:00 - 5:30 |
|
Marine Meringue |
| 6:00 - 7:30 |
|
Luau Dinner and Silent Auction |
| 7:30 - 8:30 |
|
Live Auction |
| 9:00 - until |
|
80's Dance Party |
 We are rolling back to 1988 as SCMEA celebrates its 20th year. Please join us by wearing your 80's attire to the dinner, auction and dance party! |
Sunday, October 12
| 8:45 - 10:00 | | Breakfast and Awards |
| 8:00 - 10:00 |
|
Exhibits |
| 10:00 |
|
Field Trips, Adjourn |
SCMEA FALL 2008 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM
Download the registration form.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
The Hotel and Conference Center physical address is 14276 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. The Hotel reception desk is just off the U.S.-17 northbound lanes. After turning off U.S.-17, turn left to get to "Hotel Registration" (there is a sign). Don't go straight past the guard house; turn left before it.
- From the coast: Litchfield beaches are on U.S.-17 between Georgetown and Garden City, 2/3 of the way from Charleston to Myrtle Beach.
Coming from the south, take 17 North through Georgetown and turn right at the 5th stoplight (Willowbrook Boulevard) after leaving Georgetown (about 17 miles), or the 1st light after Litchfield Drive.
Coming from the north, the Conference Center is located about 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach and 6 miles south of Murrells Inlet. Take U.S.-17 South toward Georgetown and turn left into the resort at the first light after U.S.-17 Business rejoins U.S.-17, south of Murrells Inlet.
- From Columbia and points west on I-26 or I-20: West of Columbia, take I-26 East to I-20 (exit 107B off of I-26). From Columbia, take I-20 East toward Florence. At Florence, I-20 East becomes I-20 Spur East / David H. McLeod Blvd. Continue east for 22 miles. Turn left onto U.S.-76 East. U.S.-76 East becomes SC-576 East in 3.1 miles; SC-576 East becomes U.S.-501 Business, then U.S. 501. Take U.S.-501 to U.S.-17 South and take U.S.-17 South toward Georgetown, turning left into the resort at the first light after U.S.-17 Business rejoins U.S.-17, south of Murrells Inlet.
- From north of Columbia along I-77: Take I-77 S toward Columbia. Merge onto I-20 E via exit 16A toward Florence, then follow the I-20 directions above.
- For directions from other locations: Go to Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort and click on "Driving Directions".
WORKSHOPS
Pre conference workshop: Friday 12-4PM
CANCELED
Waties Island Adventure, Limit 23, $20 pp
Join scientists and educators from the Center for Marine and Wetland Studies at Coastal Carolina University as you explore researching techniques used to monitor processes on Waties Island. Participants will also tour the Center for Marine and Wetland Studies. $20 pp, Limit is 23 people.
Participants will meet directly at the Center for Marine and Wetland Studies in Conway, SC.
Conference Workshop:
CANCELED
ROV In a Bucket: Building Underwater Robots
Participants will build low cost remotely operated vehicles that can be used in swimming pools. This program follows curriculum designed by the Marine Advanced Training Education Center of Monterey Peninsula College in California and is part of a NASA/UMES partnership called Robotics in the Classroom. This workshop integrates lessons in electricity, buoyancy, propulsion, geometric design, and teamwork with the natural sciences.
Using ROVs as a platform for teaching allows for interdisciplinary/cross-curricular instruction. Subjects such as Science, Mathematics, Technology, Art, Critical Thinking, Team Building, Sportsmanship/ Character Building, and both verbal and written communication skills are all involved. Lessons can be designed to address specific scientific or mathematic topics or entire units can be developed to integrate multiple areas.
FIELD TRIPS
Pease register in advance of the conference on the attached form and wear your conference name tag on the trip. You may list an alternative in case your preferred trip is filled by the time you register. Registering in advance increases your chance of getting a space on the field trip you want and helps us obtain quality, low cost field trips.
Stay tuned to the SCMEA Conference website to get up-to-date information on field trips, and click on the link for each field trip for additional information on each site. The following have been scheduled:
Huntington Beach State Park - A guided nature trail walk through the forest winds along boardwalks in the marsh, where you can view several varieties of crustaceans from observation decks (see where fresh water, salt water and Alligator mississippiensis meet), as well as a guided tour thru "Atalaya", the fortress-like former summer residence of Archer and Anna Huntington. This state park is a remarkable place of varied habitats and includes a freshwater lagoon, a salt marsh nursery, a dune-protected beach, the finest birding domains, as well as a maritime forest. The Wildlife Center has programs available in the study of aquatic sciences (fresh and saltwater) and provides curriculum-based science education programs for school children. Cost: $10 Limit: 40.
CANCELED
North Inlet Kayak Tour
Join Reserve and Surf the Earth staff for a naturalist-guided tour through the creeks of North Inlet. This program includes instruction in basic kayaking, a natural history overview, and educational highlights of the North Inlet ecosystem. Fee includes kayak, paddle, personal floatation device, and water. Bring snack, camera, binoculars, and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center parking lot. Participants will be transported by van to Clambank Creek. Cost: $40 Limit: 8
(weather permitting)
For more information about the outfitter, Surf The Earth, visit Surf The Earth's website: http://surf-the-earth.com/08_kayaking_generalinfo_page.html
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