The Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center has launched a pilot ocean drifter project with nine community college and university partners in August 2009. The goal of this project is to incorporate ocean technology and real-time data collection techniques and sharing into the curriculum that are aligned with current workforce needs. Currently, many marine technicians are challenged with a greater demand for real-time data or near real-time data. Students who have experience with computer technology, networking, telemetry, and electronics have a much higher chance of being selected for internships and students who are selected for internships have a much better chance of finding a job. This is a pilot project involving partners that are communicating and collaborating across the county, COSEE NOW is providing assistance through their online network and infrastructure.
If you would like to know how to get involved in building drifters at your institution, please contact Deidre Sullivan at dsullivan@mpc.edu