SCMEA Annual Conference

Making Waves in Marine Science Education

March 30 - April 1, 2001

Charleston and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

The 13th Annual conference of the South Carolina Marine Educators Association, 'Making Waves in Marine Science Education,' will be held on March 30 - April 1, 2001 at the Mt. Pleasant Holiday Inn and South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston. Join marine educators from throughout the state as they come together to collaborate and promote awareness and appreciation of the State's bountiful water resources. Highlights including a very special evening at the new South Carolina Aquarium, our keynote address, the annual SCMEA auction, inspiring educational concurrent sessions and hands-on workshops, round table forums, fantastic Lowcountry dinners, Marine Meringue, and of course extraordinary field trips!

Click here for presentation schedule and abstracts

Registration Information

Click here to print out a REGISTRATION FORM

Registration includes all activities and meals listed in the Schedule Overview (some field trips have an additional charge, see descriptions; parking is not included at the Aquarium). The registration fee is $120. Visa or Master Card is accepted. Only conference registrants will be allowed to attend conference functions. If you bring your family, please make alternate arrangements for non-registered children and spouses while you attend the conference. Additional evening tickets may be purchased for non-registrants (see Registration Form). Questions? Contact Phil Astwood at 803.777.6920 or email him at astwood@psc.sc.edu.

Location and Lodging

Our SCMEA Conference activities will primarily take place at the Mt. Pleasant Holiday Inn at the base of the Cooper River Bridges. This modern and convenient facility will host our Friday registration and Saturday conference events. The hotel has a fitness facility, sauna, outdoor pool and full service restaurant. A block of rooms has been reserved for SCMEA, but you must make your OWN reservations. Rooms are equipped with two double beds, coffee maker and other conveniences for $98.79 per night. Reservations must be made with Susie York (1.800.290.4004) at the Holiday Inn by February 28 to guarantee this rate. Find a roommate and save money! You may also contact Arla Jessen for other hotel choices and information (843.886.8211 or jessena@mindspring.com).

How do I get there?

To the Mt. Pleasant Holiday Inn:

The Mt. Pleasant Holiday Inn is located on Highway 17 North, at the base of the Cooper River Bridges, in Mt. Pleasant. If coming from Interstate 26, follow until it ends and take Exit 221-B to Mt. Pleasant. Go over the Cooper River Bridges and follow Highway 17 North towards Georgetown. Stay in the left lane and turn left at the first light and another left into the hotel parking lot.

To the South Carolina Aquarium:

The South Carolina Aquarium is located in downtown Charleston, on the harbor. If coming from Interstate 26, exit onto Meeting Street and follow signs to Charleston Visitor Center. Pass the Visitor Center and go left at the light onto Calhoun Street. The parking garage is on Calhoun Street on the left between East Bay and Washington Streets. If coming from Highway 17 North or South, take Meeting Street Exit and follow directions above. A map will be included in your conference registration packet. Parking is available in the city garage for $7 for up to 6 hours. There is limited parking on the side streets near the Aquarium.

To Gold Bug Island:

Saturday evening festivities are at Gold Bug Island on Ben Sawyer Blvd, just beyond Mt. Pleasant and before Sullivan's Island. From the Holiday Inn parking lot, take a right and go straight at the first light, crossing Highway 17 onto Magrath Darby Blvd. Take a left at the light and follow Coleman Blvd. (which will turn into Ben Sawyer Blvd.) 4.2 miles to Gold Bug Island on your left. The driveway is JUST before the light and the Ben Sawyer drawbridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. A map will be included in your conference registration packet.

Sponsors

'Making Waves in Marine Science Education' is sponsored by SCMEA and made possible by the donation of time and support of its members. The South Carolina Aquarium is also generously helping SCMEA sponsor our Friday evening festivities at the Aquarium. We are thrilled about the partnership growing between these two organizations. Thank you! A tremendous amount of appreciation also goes to these sponsors for their contributions to the production of this conference brochure: Lowcountry Hall of Science and Math, the Charleston Math and Science Hub and Dewees Island.

Conference Schedule