The Lazarette Gazette NEWS FROM The University of Texas at Austin MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUI'E Port Aransas, Texas 78373-1267 Vol. 2, Issue 8, 23 April 1993 In this issue of Lazarette Gazette Rick Tinnin: Investigating our Blue Planet in the Lower Rio Grande Valley . cover Sally Jones: On Leaving Port Aransas (again) ............................. p. 3 Regular sections: marine education services·-:--p.1, trip reports & travel-p.2, cruise reports & boat operations -p.2, egabrag woes -p.3, tony's tidings -p.4, letters to the editor~p.5, personnel-p.6, attaboys -p.7, editor's note -p.7 Investigating Our Blue Planet -The University of Texas Marine Science Institute has received a grant from the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL). The grant is under the direction of Rick Tinnin and is for $57 ,000 to fund a 29 month long program entitled Investigating Our Blue Planet. The purpose of the project is to improve the math and sciei;ice attitudes, skills and knowledge of both the teachers and students at Lopez-Riggins Elementary School. Investigating Our Blue Planet is based on the premise that the key to successful learning fo:r a child is a teacher who is-well versed in both content and pedagogy. Major curriculum reform movements are under way today including Scope, Sequence and Coordination and Project 2061. These projects stress the importance of science and math in the curriculum and promote the use of sequenced or coordinated curricula that link ideas and concepts. Marine Science · and Earth Science are interdisciplinary fields that stress science and math and cross traditiqnal subject matter boundaries. These thematic curricula cari provide an effective vehicle for linking ideas and concepts in the classroom. By participating in the project~ 41 elementary teachers and over 865 Pre-K-2nd grade students will have the opportunity to gain first hand experience with the interdisciplinary nature ofMarine and Earth Science. The target school, Lopez-Riggiµs Elementary, is part of the Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District. Los Fresnos is located in Cameron county in the lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Cameron county is in one of the most economically disadvantaged and socially depressed regions in the U.S. The district breakdown is 88% Hispanic and 12% Caucasian. Over 78% of the student body was eligible for Chapter I funds in the 1990-91 school year. Half of the classes at Lopez-Riggins Elementary are bilingual. Objectives of the project are 1) to improve the science and math attitudes, skills and knowledge of the faculty; 2) to improve teacher outcomes in the classroom through the use of the 5-E model; 3) to train teacher participants in the use and application of alternative student assessment strategies; 4) to improve the attitudes, skills and knowledge of science and math of 865 Pre-K-2nd grade students; 5) to demonstrate, train and model the effectiveness of using a thematic, interdisciplinary Ocean Science and Earth Science curriculum; 6) to effect a marked improvement in the TAAS scores for the target school; 7) to develop a competent, confident leadership team of teachers who will serve as on-site, inservice facilitators, promoting science and math excellence at Lopez-Riggins Elementary school. -Rick Tinnin Rick Tinnin's project was one of only fifteen selected from over 70 proposals reviewed by the selection committee. The proposals were from a five-state area, including Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Rick will use the data collected during the project for his dissertation to complete his Ph.D. in Science Education. He has been taking courses through the Marine Science Institute and the Science Education Center on the main campus in Austin since the summer of 1989. He currently holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Texas A&I University in Kingsville. Rick Tinnin has been in charge of the Marine Education Services Program since its inception at MSI in 197 4. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the Port Aransas ISD since 1989 and is currently Board President. He is the Past-President and current Secretary of the National Marine Educators Association. April 10 -23 travel +Terry Whitledge, April 15; Houston, attend Houston Ship.Channel Study Oversight Committee meeting. Small boat use for March BIG WHALER -Ken Dunton, 5 days. LOWE -Peter Thomas, 1 day. KLEBERG -Rick Kalke, 1 day. JET-AIR BOAT -Ken Dunton, 1 day; Dean Stockwell, l day. SONNY MAC -Dean Stockwell, 2 days. JEFFERSON -Dean Stockwell, 1 day; Ken Dunton, 1 day. National Science Foundation grant for LONGHORN -A grant of $16,270 has been made to The University ofTexas through NSF's Office of Oceanographic Facilities Support. EntitledShipboard Scientific Support Equipment, the project is under the Q.irection ofJohn.Thompson. Funds are provided to purchase an Alden Marinefax TGR-IV, a combination receiver for Weatherfax, Navtex and a Radioteleprinter in a single unit. The Alden Marinefax TGR-IV is a complete information station, and is programmable for unattended operation. Additional funds are provided to purchase 18 individual, self-contained, emergency breathing apparatus. A unit will be stationed at each bunk and in machinery/engine room spaces. Each escape hood includes a 5-minute minimum duration of air with self..regulating pressure and comes with a full head covering. A final item to be purchased is a Microphor Hel-Sep oily water separator.' This is an item ofequipment approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for the separation ofoily substances from bilge water. R/V LONGHORN -SPRING & SUMMER SCHEDULE April 30, Austin Community College, Yvonne Estes, Gulf of Mexico May 6, MacArthur High School, Carolyn Pesthy, Gulf of Mexico June 19 -20, Marine Chemistry 384L, T. Whitledge, Baffin Bay June 25 -27, Marine Botany 3520, K. Dunton, Port Isabel July 1 -12: NOAA/NECOP, A. Brakovitch, Port Aransas to Cocodrie July 13 -25: NOAA/NECOP, T. Whitledge, Cocodrie to Port Aransas July 31-August1, Biological Oceanography 384T, Ed Buskey, offshore August 7*, Comparative Physiology 354S, J. Cameron, offshore August 8*, Biology of Fishes 354C, L. Fuiman, offshore *These two cruises may possibly be combined into a single one day cruise. I don't usually spend a lot of time looking. back; with four generations of family to think about (life doesn't get simpler, I've learned; primarily because the cast of characters gets larger!!}, all that goes on in Port Aransas, keeping up with current events, and looking to the future keep my mind occupied. But in a recent conversation with Paul Montagna, it dawned on me that Bob.and I first departed from Port Aransas almost exactly 30 years ago. That does set one to looking back. I just can't help thinking about. all that has happened to us and everybody we knew here over the past 30 years. This time 30 years ago I was a basket case. I was 23 years old, had two young children, Bob was wrapping up work on his master's degree, and I loved my life in Port Aransas. I had good, good friends, we congregated for coffee in the mornings while our children played together, I belonged to the Busy Bees (a community-wide service group which put on style shows and other fund raisers to provide for children's play equipment), summers were a succession of house guests, family coming down to fish and sail, a trip to the beach practically every day, congregating at ~the baseball field to cheer on the MSI team, not having air conditioning was a non'"problem, shrimp boils and beach parties, winters were cold and gray and dramatic, and we natives had the little town ofPort Aransas (population 400) to ourselves. I wanted to spend the rest of my life in Port Aransas ... Bob had some crazy notion that a master's degree wasn't enough, that he had to go for a doctorate. I was pretty naive and very content; and really didn't see why this was necessary. But ... the decision was made to go to the University of HAWAII, of all places. There was the requisite garage sale (some things never change), and we boiled our possessions down to what would 'fin four ( 4!} cartons. It didn't help my mental condition when the old fellow at the Aransas Pass Railway Express Office had never heard of Honolulu, believe me. So ... 30 years later, things are a bit different! I have covered a lot of miles ... Honolulu, Guam, Vero Beach, Port Aransas, Vero Beach, Port Aransas ---BERMUDA??!! (Moving was a lot easier 30 years ago when we threw our stuff in the back of our rusty Studebaker Lark and John Thompson's Internationalpickup and took off for a spring semester on the main campus!) It has been interesting and our childrenclaim they are glad to have been all the places they've been-Robert hated to leave Guam but is still inVero Beach and Jeff has returned to Hawaii, and I'm glad I was a dutiful product of the Fifties and hungon as Bob prevailed and got that doctorate. I also hated to leave Hawaii, as it turned out, but have learned that I don't have to say good-bye. The world of marine biology is a tight, close-knit one. When I stopped working a few years ago and was able to go toASIH meetings with Bob (Ichs and Herps) it was almost a This is Your Life scenario with Clark and CathyHubbs from 35 years ago!!! The past 30 years have brought all of us (of a certain age!) joys and triumphs and losses and sadnesses, notto mention some gray hair and other symptoms of advancing age. That applies even to Port Aransas. Ithas suffered the loss of so many of the "Sturdy, admirable Old Guard who made it the unique place it is, buthas also enjoyed many improvements, remaining, however, the charming, quirky little town I've loved sincecoming here on that terrifyingly exciting wooden causeway! So, we're leaving for the third time, but won't say goodbye-we must keep in touch with our good friendshere, and Port Aransas has always been at the top of our vacation destination list-the place gets in your blood, you know-closely followed by Big Bend and that secret place in the Hill Country Dick Hoesementioned! Change is a great invigorator, for you and for me, but I thank you for the current batch of greatMSI and Port Aransas memories. Come see us in Bermuda! P.S. I thought I'd called up all my memories of that first tour in Port Aransas, but reading about Don Wilson in the last issue of the Lazarette Gazette brought back another flood. He was a wonderful, kind character. He and I had an arrangement whereby he rode with me into Corpus on Saturday mornings togrocery shop and run general errands. He was a wise talker and listener; I made some choices ·and decisions thanks to Don that abide to this day. ru never forget the emotions I felt sitting in my office inHonolulu reading the letter and clippings John Thompson sent after the Lydia Pinkham turned up withoutDon aboard. We still have our picture of the Lydia Pinkham and it will always go with us~-Sally Jones Tide Predictions-April 26-May 9 {For tidal heights at the tide tower, South Jetty, the Aransas Pass. Heights are in feetabove or below mean sea level. The shaded area is nighttime. Remember, this is tidal height, not tidal current. Slack water is whenthe w~qg/y line crosses the MSL line, not at peaks and valleys, where the tidal current will be a full flood or ebb.) OI JC OI OI JC Cll Im H 2 Im (j) I 1 -i m ::I:0 -i -.:; !! . -1 ..... rt Ill I Ill H 2 mI (i) I 1 m -4 I0 -i -.:; !! -1 ..... rt 4 Weather Report-April 5-15 •The title ofyour article in the March 12, 1993 Lazarette Gazette aroused my interest. I sympathize with your embarrassment and pain, but I did get a kick out ofyour description ofthe event. The T-shirt designs caught my eye, because a box turtle has been living in my house since last June. My husband saw it crossing the highway and picked it up for our granddaughter. This amazing turtle likes to be petted; enjoys listening to music aike bluegrass and classical); likes looking out the car window when on a trip; and loves to eat bananas and earthworms. I was interested in finding out the cost ofthe T-shirts. Can they be mail-ordered or are they only available on location. Other people in the Development Office might be interested in seeing a catalog. -Judy Hatten (This letter was addressed to Bob Jones who passed it along; the reference is to Bob's Egabrag Woes article: "The Day I was an Aggie"; Judy Hatten is in the UT-Austin Development Office. Sorry, the Ocean Emporium does not have a catalog. Editor) •As you likely realize by now, Ruth Grundy "found me" a while before we came to Kuwait. The Laz-Gaz has been great for getting reacquainted with what's happening at MSI. Since you voiced an interest in our first "newsletter" I'm taking the liberty of sending you the COMPLETE SET ... whoop-dee-doo .. ., which should tell you more than you want to know about our Middle East experiences!! The newsletters only hint at my new avocation/infatuation (NOT orgiastic, however) with marine turtles (since I quit working in spring of 1992). I intend to visit I help with a few conservation projects (all involving marine turtles) in Mexico and Costa Rica this fall/winter. Didn't Rick Tinnin (and others?) expend some efforts in the past on marine turtle work? Ifthey know ofprojects/mechanisms in or around the Gulffor my involvement after February of 1994, I'd love to hear from them. And I MUST have for my collection one ofthe new (turtle) Tshirts ... yes, as mentioned in our newsletter, I'm Extra Large, no matter WHAT it's cotton content! . .. check enclosed. Thanks ahead oftime for the trouble (please send it to my Anchorage address above). I have truly enjoyed reading the recent editions of haz-Gaz, and seeing news and names of some of the "moldyoldies". Add me to the list of those who would be interested in a future reunion! Please pass on my "hello and good wishes" to JoAnn Page, Jerry Clanton, Rick(s) Tinnin and Kalke, and all others who may remember me. Best of luck with all your endeavors, John. -Rod Jackson Rodney G. Jackson, M.A., 1971; Ph.D., 1975) Faye Gibson recently had major surgery and is now recovering at home. The report is that the operation went very well. Faye teaches the fifth grade at H. G. Olsen Elementary in Port Aransas. She is the wife of MSI Senior Boat Captain Don Gibson and the mother of MSI Gardener Mike Gibson. Terry Whitledge, soon to be Acting Director, found himselflocked out of using the copy machine. It turns out that card #113 had been issued to Terry but his name not recorded. Patty Baker posted a note for two weeks asking for the unknown owner of #113 to contact her, when no one did she finally deactivated that nuniber on the machine. After June 1 we will expect the copy machine to show a little more respect! MSI Employees Proud Parents of H. G. Olsen Elementary School A Honor Roll Third Grade -Karli Dunton, Alex Seguin Fourth Grade -Sarah Seguin Fifth Grade -Daniel Allen, Nathan Dunton H. G. Olsen Elementary School AJB Honor Roll Second Grade -Lauren Kalke Third Grade -Brince Abel, Stephanie Tinnin Fourth Grade -Jacob Guajardo Fifth Grade -Chris Kalke, Patricia Tinnin, Kate Montagna Port Aransas High School A Honor Roll Tenth Grade -Jill Thompson Twelfth Grade -Meg Roberson State Interscholastic League Press Conference in Austin Sports Writing, 2nd Place -Jill Thompson District Tennis Tournament Boys Junior Varsity Doubles, 3rd Place -Chris Horn Girls Varsity Singles, 4th place -Jill Thompson UIL Competition (left out last issue) Fifth Grade Ready Writing, 2nd Place -Nathan Dunton MSI ~mployee Proud Spouse of Andrea Cantu, whose Middle School Science team placed first in the small school division (1A-3A) in regional competition-for the fourth year in a row!! • I want to thank you for delivering materials between the Marine Science Library and the Perry Castaneda Library every Tuesday during the spring semester. This has been extremely helpful to everyone in Austin and in Port Aransas. Both Ruth Grundy, MSL Librarian, and Jim Kieke, Supervisor ofthe PCL Mail Room, have told me how much they have enjoyed working with you. They have appreciated the special care and the prompt delivery of the materials and other packages. You and this service will be missed. (To: James E. Kaldy; From: Virginia Phillips, Assistant Director for Branch Services) • The Wilson cottage residents would like to extend their thanks for the recent installation of hammocks. With the summer time and warm weather quickly approaching, we will be sure to be spending more time outdoors. The strong construction and sturdy installation ofthe hammocks is sure to hold up to our climate well. These hammocks will surely bring enjoyment to many a summer evening at the cottages. Thanks again for this addition. (To: John Thompson; From: ·Wilson Cottage Residents-Kirsten Poling, Greg T. Street, Andrew B. Czerny, Dennis M. Higgs, Chen Feng, Matt Cottrell, Jay 0. Peterson, Susan Brown, Jonathon Pinter)