The 14^th annual conference of the South Carolina Marine Educators Association, "Exploring the Depths with SCMEA", will be held on March 8-10, 2002 at the Penn Center on St. Helena Island. Join marine educators and scientists from throughout the state as they come together to collaborate and promote awareness and appreciation of the State’s bountiful water resources and cutting edge exploration. Highlights include a keynote address, the annual SCMEA auction, inspiring forums featuring our own scientists, researchers, and educators, awesome educational concurrent sessions and hands-on workshops, Lowcountry dinners, Marine Meringue, and extraordinary field trips!

Click here for presentation schedule and abstracts

Click here for a simple web registration form -- just print, fill out, and mail in

Registration includes all activities and meals listed in the Schedule Overview (some field trips have an additional charge, see descriptions). The registration fee is $125.00. Visa or MasterCard 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 e-mail him at astwood@psc.sc.edu.

Our SCMEA conference activities will take place at the Penn Center on St. Helena Island. This historic facility is modern and comfortable. If you desire to stay at the Penn Center facility, please indicate this on your registration form. Rooms at the Penn Center are limited, so register early. Alternate hotel facilities are available at the nearby Royal Frogmore Inn (apprx. $59.00/night) or at hotels in Beaufort. You must make these reservations on your own.

The Penn Center is located on St. Helena Island in Beaufort County, just off of Highway 21.

From Columbia: Take 1-26 East towards Charleston. Take Exit 169 onto I-95 South towards Savannah. Take Exit 33 to Highway 17 North (towards Beaufort). Follow 17 North to Gardens Corner where you will bear right onto Highway 21 South. Follow Hwy 21 through downtown Beaufort, over the Wood’s Memorial Bridge. See directions from Charleston to Penn Center for directions from downtown Beaufort.

From Charleston: Take Highway 17 South to Gardens Corner (just past Yamessee). Turn Left onto Hwy 21 South towards Beaufort. Follow Hwy 21 through downtown Beaufort, over the Wood’s Memorial Bridge. From the Wood’s Memorial Bridge it is approximately 7 miles on Hwy 21 to Martin Luther Blvd. where you will be turning Right to the Penn Center (you will cross Lady’s Island and be on St. Helena Island before you turn Right onto Martin Luther Blvd). The Penn Center is less than a half mile on your right.

From I-95 South: Take Exit 8 (South Carolina) off of I-95 on to Highway 278 towards Hilton Head Island. Take Hwy 170 off of Hwy 278 towards Beaufort. Take Hwy 170 into Beaufort. At Hwy 21 in Beaufort take a Right onto Hwy 21 to the Wood’s Memorial Bridge. See directions from Charleston to Penn Center for directions from downtown Beaufort.