By Jordan Skinner
Staff Writer
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he ocean is an integral part of the lives of residents on the Outer Banks. People swim in it, surf in it, fish in it, and, sometimes, study it. Marine science, for many students who grew up on the Outer Banks, is often a natural career choice, and the new Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) campus on Roanoke Island opens up fresh opportunities for students who want to study the ocean.
The new campus, located south of Skyco Road, was completed and dedicated Jan. 15. This site was chosen for its access to deep water for dive operations. An open house was held on Feb. 2.
The main building, housing the educational and research facilities, is new and modern, with state of the art equipment and views of the surrounding Croatan Sound estuary from just about every window. A smaller building nearby is the site of marine operations. This facility was built to complement several other marine research facilities in the UNC system: N.C. State’s Center for Marine Science and Technology, UNC Chapel Hill’s Institute for Marine Sciences, and UNC Wilmington’s Center for Marine Sciences.
“North Carolina has a very long, complex and rich coastal environment, but if you’ve ever tried to drive between here and Wilmington you know its not very much fun,” said Nancy White, director of the Coastal Studies Institute. “Each area of the coast is very different.”
Anyone studying at any school in the UNC system will have an opportunity to do research or enroll in classes at the CSI. The courses are listed throughout the colleges in the system. Additionally, a few classes are offered through College of the Albemarle that interested high school students might be able to take. John McCord, the Education Programs Coordinator at the institute, is involved in working with current students to do research, and in outreach programs to K-12 students, teachers and the public.
“We’re developing programs for the 6-12 community to be able to come take classes at the institute, and we’re working with teachers at schools throughout North Carolina to offer up opportunities for exposure to careers and research in marine science,” McCord said.
Many programs are already in the works for high school and even middle school students to be able to participate in the research that goes on at CSI. For example, McCord is looking at working with middle school students in the next couple years, to learn about coastal ecology and fishery at Jennette’s Pier.
Most of the research that goes on at the Coastal Studies Institute is nationally unique, according to White, because of the institute’s location and cutting edge facilities.
“We’re generating new information that is put out into the public arena for people to use and benefit from in a variety of ways,” White said.
According to CSI.NorthCarolina.edu, the CSI focuses on four main areas of research: estuarine ecology and human health, coastal engineering and ocean energy, coastal public policy and sustainability, and maritime heritage. Some of its more notable research areas include renewable ocean energy – for example, measuring the energy potential in the Gulf Stream – and the investigation of shipwrecks along the coast. Another is the study of oyster hatcheries, and how they can remove nitrogen from the water column, a topic that is important to the health of the environment.
“It may not be the sexiest thing, but it is really important,” White said.
Not only is the ocean a part of peoples’ lives, but the coastal environment and the marine ecosystem have effects around the world. Much of the research at the CSI involves sustainability issues, devising better ways for people to work in harmony with the environment.
“If we want to continue to live and work here, we want to make sure we are doing it in a way that will sustain it for generations,” White said.
The research projects CSI does are important, as is educating the next generation. The CSI creates great new opportunities for research coastal education, a prospect some First Flight students find exciting.
“I’m really excited about the Coastal Studies Institute,” junior Kendyl Cosgrove said. “The facility itself is breathtaking, but what goes on inside is even more amazing. The research that CSI is currently conducting is really interesting. I feel like the facility will provide an awesome educational opportunity, not only for the grad students, but also for high school students in the area.”
In the next couple years, the Coastal Studies Institute promises many significant accomplishments in marine sciences. In a year, White expects researchers to have figured out how much power is in the Gulf Stream and whether it could be used as an energy resource, and be able to tell a story about the many shipwrecks in the Battle of the Atlantic, among other accomplishments.
“By this time next year we will have probably had several hundred students come through our doors and enrolled in our classes,” White said. “We will also have learned a lot more about the coastal environment.”
Send comments to skinnerjo0611@daretolearn.org
Photo by Kendyl Cosgrove
