The 15th annual conference of the South Carolina Marine Educators Association, "From the Shallows to the Shore", will be held on March 14-16, 2003 at Springmaid Beach, SC near Myrtle Beach State Park. Join marine educators and scientists from throughout the state as we focus on near shore habitats such as marshes, beaches, maritime forests, and other areas where land and water meet.  Highlights include a keynote address, the annual SCMEA auction, inspiring and educational concurrent sessions and hands-on workshops featuring our own scientists, researchers, and educators as well as invited ones, Lowcountry dinners, Marine Meringue, and extraordinary field trips!

CALL FOR PRESENTERS

Would you like to present at the conference?  Choose either option below for a presentation submission form -- just print, fill out, and mail in. 

Adobe acrobat (pdf) file 

Simple web (html) form

Registration Information

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 (two 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. Because of its location and the special room rate for oceanfront accommodations, this conference would be ideal for a family vacation.  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 ext. 5 or e-mail him at astwood@psc.sc.edu.

Location and Lodging

Our SCMEA conference activities will take place at Springmaid Beach, on the south end of Myrtle Beach. All rooms are ocean front and include two queen sized beds, ocean view balcony, refrigerator, microwave, access to indoor pool, whirlpool, parking garages, fishing pier, and a quarter mile of one of the quietist, cleanest beaches in SC. You must make lodging reservations on your own by calling 843-315-7100 or 1-800-770-6895!  A special SCMEA conference rate of $59.00 per room per night for double or single occupancy is available to registrants if you register by February 12.  Visit the conference location on-line at www.springmaidbeach.com.  Springmaid Beach and Leroy Springs & Company are non-profit entities that provide community park and recreation opportunities.

How do I get there?

Coming in from the west on HWY 501: 

One mile past the HWY 17 overpass, turn right onto 3^rd Ave. S.  After another mile, turn right on to King’s Hwy. (17 Bus.) After 3 miles, turn left onto South Ocean Blvd. After 0.3 miles, turn right into Springmaid Beach.  Check in at the Registration Office, which is the 3^rd building on the right. 

Coming in from the south on HWY 17 Bypass: 

North of Surfside Beach, turn right onto Hwy. 544.  After 2 miles, turn left onto 17 Bus. After 3 miles turn right onto South Ocean Blvd. After 0.3 miles, turn right into Springmaid Beach.  Check in at the Registration Office, which is the 3^rd building on the right.

Conference Schedule

Special Activities

Friday

Wine and Cheese Social

Join us after registration for the conference icebreaker. This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones.   Enjoy a poster session on fascinating marine science education and outreach.

Keynote Address
Dave Grant is the Director of the Ocean Institute at Sandy Hook as well as a naturalist with the American Littorial Society & National Audubon Society.  Come hear his new insights into horseshoe crab biology and natural history.

Night Walk with Myrtle Beach State Park Naturalist
Explore nocturnal shore life on the beach and then head into the maritime forest of nearby Myrtle Beach State Park.  Bring your flashlight and meet Interpretive Ranger Anne Wilson at the Springmaid pier for a relaxed stroll as she unlocks the mystery of nighttime sights and sounds.

Saturday

Concurrent Sessions
(schedule will be posted when available)

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.

SCMEA Field Trips
See field trip descriptions below.

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, etc.

Annual SCMEA Auction
This annual fundraiser for our scholarships and awards promises good buys and great fun. Please bring 1 or 2 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.  Questions? Contact Connie Leverett at c.w.leverett@att.net.

Oyster Roast sponsored by Ripley’s Aquarium /DJ Party
Enjoy a Lowcountry feast featuring oysters as well as plenty for non-oyster eaters. DJ extrodinaire Woody Windham will be on hand to get us dancing into the night.

Sunday

Concurrent Sessions
(schedule will be posted when available)

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!

Saturday Fieldtrips

Captain Dick’s Saltwater Marsh Explorer

Explore a boat access only island on a covered catamaran with a marine biologist.   Life histories of sea horses, urchins, horseshoe crabs, and much more will be explored.  Directions: Capt. Dick’s is 12 miles south of Springmaid Beach.  Turn left out of Springmaid Beach entrance.   At the Hwy. 17 Business traffic light, turn left.  Go 11 miles.  At set of double traffic lights bear to the left on Bus. 17 and come into Murrell’s Inlet.   Capt. Dick’s is 1 mi. on the left.  Time: 3-5:30 pm Cost: Special Conference Rate of $10.  Limit: 84 participants.

Huntington Beach State Park

Join a State Park naturalist on a guided tour of the Wildlife Education Center and saltmarsh boardwalk as we examine the lives of alligators, snakes, crabs, and other near shore inhabitants.  Directions: HBSP is 14 miles south of Springmaid Beach.  Turn left out of Springmaid Beach entrance. At the Hwy. 17 Business traffic light, turn left.  Go 14 miles.  See Huntington Beach State Park on the left.  Time: 3 pm – 5:30 Cost: No charge with SCMEA identification badge.  Limit: 30 participants.

Kayak Trip on the Waccamaw and PeeDee Rivers

Enjoy migratory birds, otters, and alligators as you paddle old rice canals,salt marshes, and other marginal areas where fresh water and saltwater meet.Cost includes all equipment and guide. Dress appropriately. Directions:Turn left out of the Springmaid Beach entrance. At the Hwy. 17 Business traffic light, turn left onto Highway 17 Business going South. Follow Hwy. 17 Business to Pawleys Island (approximately 15miles). Just past the traffic light for the South Causeway (Food Lion on left,Landolfi's on right) turn right onto Hagley Drive. Follow this until it dead ends at Hagley Landing. We will be met there by the guide. Time: 3:00-6:00. Cost:$35.00 per person.  Limit: 20 participants.

Ripley’s Aquarium- Behind the Scenes

 Surround yourself with thousands of colorful marine organisms as you glide on a moving underwater path!  Hold a horseshoe crab or touch a stingray.  Then, get a rare behind the scenes tour.   Directions:  Located at Broadway at the Beach at 29^th Ave. N.  Turn left out of Springmaid Beach entrance.  At the Hwy. 17 Business traffic light, turn right.  After about 11 miles, turn left onto 29^th Ave. N. Proceed through two traffic lights.  See Ripley’s on left.  Time: 3:00 – 5:30 Cost: No charge with SCMEA identification badge.  Limit: 25 participants.

SPONSORS

'From the Shallows to the Shore' is sponsored by SCMEA and made possible by the donation of time and support of its members.  Sincere appreciation also goes to these sponsors for their contributions to this special conference event: Ripley’s Aquaurium, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, Springmaid Beach, Coastal Carolina University, The Center for Science Education at USC, Chuck May, College of Science and Math at USC and the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission.