Operation Pathfinder

The primary objective of the 1994, 1995, and 1996 Pathfinder program was twofold - to implement a national network, inquiry-based, science education effort to increase the awareness and understanding of oceanography and coastal processes and to improve the teaching techniques of elementary and middle school teachers of predominately minority students. In 1994 this three-semester hour, graduate-credit course was implemented in five regions; in 1995, in all six Sea Grant education network regions; and in 1996 it will be taught in four regions with a maximum of 20 teachers per region. Furthermore, this program was based on the successful prototype developed and implemented during the summer of 1993 involving 17 minority teachers representing 12 states and the District of Columbia.