Communicating Ocean Sciences to Informal Audiences (COSIA)

Communicating Ocean Sciences (COS) Communicating Ocean Sciences to Informal Audiences (COSIA)

Two innovative college courses, developed by COSEE California at LHS, introduce undergraduates and graduate students in ocean sciences related majors to inquiry-based instructional strategies that, combined with students’ content knowledge and enthusiasm for sharing it, equip them to communicate their passion for their subject area. 

One course (COS) prepares future scientists to introduce ocean sciences to K-8 students and teachers in local schools; the other (COSIA) prepares them to introduce ocean concepts to the public in aquariums and science centers.

The courses address three critical needs:

1. helping future scientists to more effectively communicate their subject;
2. steering some science majors into teaching professions; and
3. creating a greater awareness among scientists about the need for outreach.

The courses are now being taught at UCB and at 25 other colleges and universities nationwide. They are based on the highly successful Communicating Science course co-taught by the University of California’s Lawrence Hall of Science and College of Chemistry.

COSIA is being taught at UC Berkeley and six other universities, each in partnership with an informal science education institution. Either course can be used to fulfill requirements in both undergraduate science majors and the university-wide requirement for graduate students to complete a course in teaching methods.

COS and COSIA are developed for undergraduate and graduate students.