An

Art-Sea
Affair

 

 



 
 Spring 2005 SCMEA Conference

 

 

April 8-10, 2005

 

Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort  

         

2005 Call for Presenters  - SORRY, Call for Presenters CLOSED on March 4. 

 


2005 Conference Presentations and Events: Click Here for Updated Schedule and Summaries            

 

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

      The 17th annual conference of the South Carolina Marine Educators Association, "An Art-Sea Affair", will be held April 8-10, 2005, at Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort,  Pawley’s Island, SC. Join marine educators and scientists from throughout the state as we focus on the science of marine ecosystems and the art of marine science education.  Highlights include a keynote address, the annual auction, inspiring and educational concurrent sessions, as well as hands-on workshops featuring our own scientists, researchers, educators, artists and special invitees.  A luau (to prepare you for NMEA Conference in Maui), Marine Meringue, and extraordinary field trips complete the weekend!

 

 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

      Registration  includes all conference activities, most field trips, and meals listed in the Schedule Overview.  The registration fee for the SCMEA conference is $155 per person for registrations postmarked by March 1, 2005; registration mailed after that date will be $175.  The day rate is $90 per day in advance or as a walk-in.  Please try to register early, as it helps with planning.  Only conference registrants will be allowed to attend conference functions.  If you have questions regarding registration, please contact Nelle Stephenson at 843-237-9899 or email her at nstephenson@wh.gcsd.k12.sc.us.

 

 

LODGING & LOCATION

      Our SCMEA conference will take place at the Hotel and Conference Center at Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort, 14276 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.  Rooms at the Resort Hotel are suites that include two double beds, a living room area with sofa bed (double) and kitchenette and are available at $74 per night, plus tax.  This is a special SCMEA Conference rate good from April 6-10.  Be sure to mention SCMEA or South Carolina Marine Educators when making your registration to get this rate.  Please make your reservation for lodging directly with the hotel by calling (843) 237-3000 or (toll free) 1-888-766-4633.  For additional information on the hotel and meeting rooms, visit the conference location web site at www.litchfieldbeach.com.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Friday

 

      This will take place adjacent to the Wine and Cheese Social and is designed for first-time attendees to meet one another, become familiar with the conference layout, and ask questions about the upcoming events.  So, if this is your first time attending a SCMEA conference, grab a glass of wine and some cheese and join us for the Welcome New Friends Reception!  If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Jolly Clair at jollyclairj@comcast.net.

 

 

·        Keynote Address:  "A Celebration of Barrier Islands"

We are excited to have Mary Edna Fraser as our Friday night keynote speaker.  Ms. Fraser is a batik artist who has focused on waterways and islands from an aerial perspective.  She has worked extensively with marine geologist Orrin Pilkey on barrier islands and beaches and has received numerous awards and grants for her work.  For additional information, visit her web site at www.maryedna.com.

 

 

 

Saturday

·         Concurrent Sessions
Stay tuned to the SCMEA Conference website to get up-to-date information on presentation topics and times.

 

·         Exhibits

 

·         Lunch/Business Meeting
We will enjoy some great food and then conduct our annual business meeting.  We will also elect our new SCMEA board members.

 

·         Marine Meringue Swap Session
Swap artwork for activities or bring a fossil and leave with an unusual shell!  Join SCMEA’s fun marine-theme swap session to trade with your colleagues.  Anyone can participate.  Typical items include posters, books, shells, fossils, sand, bones, skins, skulls, etc.

 

·         Annual SCMEA Auction
This annual fundraiser for our scholarships and awards promises good buys and great fun.  Please bring donated items to the SCMEA registration desk or give them to any SCMEA Board member prior to the conference. Please attach a business card from the donor to the auction item.  If you have questions, contact Connie Leverett at connie.leverett@comcast.net.

 

·         Luau & Live Music
Enjoy a Luau of roast pork, vegetarian alternatives and a variety of other dishes.  “Latitude” (http://www.latitudemusic.net/) will provide island and beach music for listening and dancing into the night.

 

 

Sunday

·         Concurrent Sessions
Stay tuned to the SCMEA Conference website to get up-to-date information on presentation topics and times.

 

·         Farewell Luncheon and Awards
We will enjoy a luncheon together before departing.  Scholarship and travel awards will be given and the Auction Card Finalist will be announced!

 

PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE AGENDA (Stay tuned to the SCMEA Conference website to get up-to-date information on presentation topics and times)

 

Friday, April 8

   9:00  -  11:00       SCMEA Board meeting

11:00  -  4:00         Field Trips

11:00  -  7:00         Registration

   5:30  -  6:00         “Welcome New Friends” reception for first-timers and new members

   5:30  -  6:30         Wine & Cheese Reception, Posters

   6:30  -  7:30         Welcome/Keynote: Mary Edna Fraser, textile artist

   7:30  -  until          Dinner in the Tara Ballroom

 

Saturday, April 9

Breakfast on your own

   7:30  -  8:30         Coffee and snacks

   8:00  -  12:00       Registration

   8:00  -  4:00         Exhibits

   8:30  -  9:15         Concurrent Sessions

   9:30  -  11:50       Plenary Session

12:00  -  2:00         Lunch/Business Meeting

   2:00  -  4:15         Concurrent Sessions

   5:00  -  5:30         Marine Meringue

   6:30  -  7:30         Luau Dinner and Silent Auction

   7:30  -  8:30         Live Auction

   9:00  -  12:00       Live Music and Dance

 

Sunday, April 10

   8:00  -  9:00         Coffee and snacks

   9:00  -  10:45       Concurrent Sessions

11:00  -  12:30       Brunch/Awards/Auction Card Finalists

 

 

SCMEA 2005 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM (please type or print clearly). 
Click here for PDF or Word version of form.

 

Name: _________________________________________

 

Title/Occupation: ________________________________                                     

 

Mailing Address:

Organization: ____________________________________

Street/PO Box: ___________________________________

City, State, Zip: ___________________________________

 

Phone:  (             ) _________________________________

 

Email: _________________________________________  

 

Check if you:

_____ Prefer vegetarian meals

_____ Will participate in Marine Meringue

 

Is this your first SCMEA Conference?  _____Yes_____No

 

SCMEA Membership - Join or Renew now!
_____ 1 Yr $15    _____ 3 Yrs $40    _____ 5 Yrs $60

 

Conference Registration
Early registration (postmarked by March 1, 2005):    $155: $_           

Late registration (postmarked after March 1, 2005):  $175: $             

Daily registration = $90 per day x       days =                        $_______                  

Non-registered guest ticket for Saturday Luau,

       Auction, Party = $30 x           tickets:                              $________                    

 

Registration Fee Submitted:                                          $____________

Friday SCMEA Field Trips

First Choice:___________________________            $__________

Second Choice:________________________             $                _     

 

Total Enclosed

(dues, registration, luau tickets, field trips): $__________

Pay by check, Visa or MasterCard only.
Card #:_________________________________________

Expiration Date:___________________________________

Signature: _______________________________________

 

Please send completed form and check (payable to SCMEA) for all fees to:
Nelle Stephenson, 9683 Eaddy Lane,  Murrells Inlet SC   29576

 

 

 

SPONSORS

'An Art-Sea Affair' is sponsored by SCMEA and made possible by its members'
generous donation of time and support. Sincere appreciation also goes to the University of South Carolina's Center for Science Education, the Southeast Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (SE-COSEE) and the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium for their contributions to this conference. Complimentary field trips are provided with support from Alligator Adventure, Myrtle Beach State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, Captain Dick's, Ripley's Aquarium, Brookgreen Gardens and the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine & Coastal Sciences (University of South Carolina).

HOW DO I GET THERE?

The Hotel and Conference Center physical address is 14276 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.  The Hotel reception desk is just off the U.S.-17 northbound lanes. After turning off U.S.-17, turn left to get to "Hotel Registration" (there is a sign). Don't go straight past the guard house; turn left before it.

·    From the coast: Litchfield beaches are on U.S.-17 between Georgetown and Garden City, 2/3 of the way from Charleston to Myrtle Beach.   

      Coming from the south, take 17 North through Georgetown and turn right at the 5th stoplight (Willowbrook Boulevard) after leaving Georgetown (about 17 miles), or the 1st light after Litchfield Drive. 

      Coming from the north, the Conference Center is located about 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach and 6 miles south of Murrells Inlet.  Take U.S.-17 South toward Georgetown and turn left into the resort at the first light after U.S.-17 Business rejoins U.S.-17, south of Murrells Inlet.    

·    From Columbia and points west on I-26 or I-20:  West of Columbia, take I-26 East to I-20 (exit 107B off of I-26).  From Columbia, take I-20 East toward Florence.  At Florence, I-20 East becomes I-20 Spur East / David H. McLeod Blvd.  Continue east for 22 miles.  Turn left onto U.S.-76 East.  U.S.-76 East becomes SC-576 East in 3.1 miles; SC-576 East becomes U.S.-501 Business, then U.S. 501.  Take U.S.-501 to U.S.-17 South and take U.S.-17 South toward Georgetown, turning left into the resort at the first light after U.S.-17 Business rejoins U.S.-17, south of Murrells Inlet. 

·    From north of Columbia along I-77:  Take I-77 S toward Columbia.  Merge onto I-20 E via exit 16A toward Florence, then follow the I-20 directions above.

·    For directions from other locations:  Go to Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort and click on "Driving Directions".

 

 

  

 

FIELD TRIPS (Friday, April 8th)


CONTRARY TO THE TENTATIVE SCHEDULE IN THE MAILED BROCHURE, THERE ARE NO FIELD TRIPS ON SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH.

Most field trips do not have a cost, but we ask that you please register in advance of the conference on the attached form and wear your conference name tag on the trip.  You may list an alternative in case your preferred trip is filled by the time you register.  Registering in advance increases your chance of getting a space on the field trip you want and helps us obtain quality, low cost field trips.

 

Stay tuned to the SCMEA Conference website to get up-to-date information on field trips, and click on the link for each field trip for additional information on each site.  The following have been scheduled:

 

Alligator Adventure - You will find yourself face to face with nature's fiercest and most beautiful animals during a guided and behind-the scenes tour of beautiful swamps and marshes.  The Adventure is located adjacent to Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, where you will encounter an amazing array of reptiles, amphibians and birds from around the world.  Cost:  none.  Limit:  20.  Time: 12-4 P.M. (allow 45 minutes for drive; we will try to arrange car pools).

 

Ripley's Aquarium -  Located in Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, this is an exhibit of marine life that fosters environmental education, conservation and research, while providing fun for visitors of all ages.  The guided tour includes Dangerous Reef, Ray Bay, Rainbow Rock, Rio Amazon, The Living Gallery, The Sea-For-Yourself Discovery Center, the new Titanic Island of Life and Education Island. These are interactive educational experiences with a varied selection of programs designed to meet curriculum standards set forth by state educators.  Ripley’s is offering a guided or self-guided tour for their 2-3 hour program.  Cost:  free.  Limit:  unlimited.  Time:  12-4 P.M.

 

Myrtle Beach State Park - Anne Wilson, naturalist and historian, is offering a 2-3 hour field study with wet/dray labs, arts, and crafts in this 312 acre oceanfront state park, which plays a major role in preserving and maintaining a portion of the natural heritage of South Carolina’s coast.  The nature trail provides a rare opportunity to see one of the last stands of maritime forest on the northern coast.  Because of this distinction, the forest has been declared a Heritage Trust Site.  This park provides curriculum-based science education programs for school children.  Cost: none.  Limit: unlimited.  Time 12-4 P.M.

 

Captain Dick's Saltwater Marsh Explorer Adventure - Narrated by a marine biologist, this 2.5-hour boat trip showcases a complete marine ecosystem and includes hands-on observation and collection of marine life.  The trip includes collections from the saltwater marsh, looking for dolphins, a beach walk with the biologist and then learning to fish and to crab.  Living specimens will be examined and returned to the water and the program provided is based on the South Carolina curriculum standards for marine and sea science classes.  If requested ahead of time, copies of the "Dynamics of the Salt Marsh" from the Education Series from the Marine Resources Division of the SCDNR can be provided.  Cost: none.  Limit: 28.  Time: 11:00A.M. to 1:30 P.M.

 

Captain Dick's Adventure on the "Gator" - This amphibious vehicle departs on land goes through historic "downtown" Murrells Inlet, while narrated by a naturalist/historian.  The vehicle then splashed down into the serene tidal freshwaters of the Waccamaw River at Wacca Wache Landing for a 2-hour cruise in the Intracoastal Waterway around Richmond Island.  You will want to watch for osprey nests, migratory ducks and other waterfowl, and reptiles such as turtles, snakes and gators as you learn about the fascinating history and diversity of aquatic life of tidal freshwater.  The trip includes a visit to Huntington Beach State Park where you will ride alongside the marshes (with alligators and other fauna), and then on to "Atalaya", the remarkable fortress-like summer residence of transportation magnate heir Archer Milton Huntington and his internationally acclaimed sculptor wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington. The stop at "Atalaya" allows you to shop and explore this beautiful landmark. Cost: none.  Limit: 35. Time: 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.

 

Huntington Beach State Park - Steve Roff, chief naturalist and park ranger, is offering a 2-3 hour field study with wet/dry labs and tours of the new Wildlife Center.  A guided nature trail walk through the forest winds along boardwalks in the marsh, where you can view several varieties of crustaceans from observation decks (see where fresh water, salt water and Alligator mississippiensis meet), as well as a guided tour thru "Atalaya", the fortress-like former summer residence of Archer and Anna Huntington.  This state park is a remarkable place of varied habitats and includes a freshwater lagoon, a salt marsh nursery, a dune-protected beach, the finest birding domains, as well as a maritime forest.  The Wildlife Center has programs available in the study of aquatic sciences (fresh and saltwater) and provides curriculum-based science education programs for school children. Cost: none  Limit: unlimited. Time: 12-4 P.M.

 

Brookgreen Gardens - A great way to incorporate art and science, this field trip will include a guided tour of the Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington Sculpture Gardens, a visit to the Lowcountry Cultural History Center, and a guided tour of the Wildlife Trail.  This National Historic Landmark is one of the country's leading cultural and educational institutions.  Cost: none.  Limit: 20.  Time 1-4 P.M.

 

Black River Outdoors Center and Expeditions - Bill Unger is offering a kayak trip to the Huntington Beach salt marsh creeks.  Paddle through Spartina cordgrass marshes and creeks from the sandy dunes of Huntington Beach State Park to freshwater lagoons.  See a huge variety of marine wildlife from a totally different perspective--the water--rather than inside the park.  Meet at the park (check back for more details as they become available).  Cost: $25.  Limit:  24.  Time 12-4 P.M.

 

Belle W. Baruch Institute and Marine Field Laboratory  -  This will be an "insiders' look" into Hobcaw Barony, near Georgetown.  Participants will meet at the Visitors Center for a tour of the Center, a tour of the University of South Carolina marine laboratories with a walk on the Saltmarsh Boardwalk, a tour of Friendship Village and a special treat-a tour of Hobcaw House (Bernard Baruch's winter home).  The laboratory is located 20 minutes south of the Litchfield Conference Center just off the U.S. Highway 17 northbound lanes.  Cost: None, compliments of Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences.  Limit:  none.  Time:  12-4 P.M.