"REEF-WATCH 2000" AWARD FUNDS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, MENTOR OTHER TEACHERS FORT PIERCE, FLA., July 6 - A camping trip to the Dry Tortugas and the chance to study the reefs and reef ecosystems in the Florida Keys with Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution scientists are just some of the highlights of a unique program for high school and elementary school teachers that kicks off July 10th. Four teachers from Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie schools will join five other teachers from other U.S. schools for "Reef Watch 2000", a pilot program with three goals; to raise awareness of issues involving the marine environment and reefs; to help teachers renew their expertise and enthusiasm for marine sciences and science in general, and to raise expectations and achievements by students in the fields of science. Dr. Sue Cook, Director of the Education Division at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, said the teachers had to apply for the chance to take part in the program. "These teachers were picked because of their interest in science, math, and technology, and because they expressed an interest in going back and mentoring other teachers about what they learn," Dr. Cook said. The local teachers include Beau Roberts, a chemistry and marine biology teacher at John Carroll High School in Fort Pierce; Deborah Dargis, a resource teacher for gifted students at Village Green Elementary School in Port St. Lucie; Brenda Drummond, a teacher for second and third grade gifted students at Weatherbee Elementary School in Fort Pierce, and Ramona Weimerskirch, a chemistry teacher at Fort Pierce Westwood High School in Fort Pierce. The program is being funded with a $72,000 National Science Foundation "pilot program award", and could result in an expanded program that would accommodate more teachers and run for at least five years, depending on the results of this summer's program. All of the teachers chosen will receive a stipend and housing allowance, and will be staying at various locations in the Key West area during the 12-day program. "We are very enthusiastic about this, and we envision it as eventually being a nationwide program," Dr. Cook said. It's hoped that the teachers will take their experiences back to the classroom, and pass along what they've learned not only to their students, but to other teachers, who will be encouraged to apply for the chance to take part in future programs. Participants will arrive in Key West on Monday, July 10th. The Dry Tortugas trip takes place July 13th-15th, and the teachers will travel to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution July 21st and 22nd for two days of classroom and laboratory work. July 23rd is a travel day for all participants. The other teachers taking part include three from New York, one from Louisiana, and one from Washington State. Any news media interested in taking part in any of the field sessions are encouraged to do so. Contact HARBOR BRANCH, or Dr. Sue Cook, at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. All members of the media will be required to make their own travel and other arrangements Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. is one of the world's leading nonprofit oceanographic research organizations dedicated to the exploration of the earth's oceans, estuaries and coastal regions for the benefit of mankind.