Education

Stories dealing with Education on Bonaire

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Dive Friends Bonaire Announces Next Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Dive Friends Bonaire is pleased to announce their next Instructor Development Course (IDC) will begin on June 7th and continue through June 15th, 2010 for those looking to become a professional diver with teaching capabilities. The Instructor Exam conducted by PADI will immediately follow on June 16th and 17th.

Dive Friends will be offering the new E-Learning option for this IDC, which allows candidates to save time and travel expenses by taking advantage of home-study methods.  They then may report to the IDC on the third day (June 9th, 2010), for completion of the program with Dive Friend’s course director.  E-Learning is easy; all candidates must do is login to PADI’s web site at www.padi.com and click on E-Learning.  Enter the dive center’s number, and follow instructions. PADI’s cost for E-Learning is $320.00 per candidate.  Once all candidates are on Bonaire and in sessions together, the new IDC format will focus upon workshops and interaction, while utilizing the new PADI Guide to Teaching.

Concurrent with the IDC course, Dive Friends Bonaire will also offer Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor, Staff Instructor, and an option for Staff Instructor with an internship at the dive facility.  Costs for these courses are:

· Full IDC (no E-Learning), $1299.00

· E-Learning IDC, $999.00

· Emergency First Response Instructor, $199.00

· Staff Instructor, $599.00

· Staff Instructor with one year’s internship, no charge.

Additionally, for those who would like to attain the professional rating of Instructor, but do not yet have a Divemaster rating, Dive Friends Bonaire offers a Divemaster Internship for $999.00, which can be done prior to the IDC.  All rates are in U.S. Dollars; books and PADI’s fees are additional.

Dive Friends Bonaire can assist with on-island arrangements, such as accommodations or vehicle rental, for those coming to the island for the IDC/IE.  Those interested in participating in the IDC may visit http://www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/idc.html for additional information, or contact Dive Friends Bonaire directly by email by clicking here for pricing and eligibility requirements.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

CIEE (Bonaire) Hosts Dale Stokes from Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Coming right on the heels of Dr. Sylvia Earle’s visit, Dale Stokes from the noted Scripps Institution of Oceanography will be speaking at the CIEE headquarters on Thursday evening, September 3, 2009 at 7:00 PM.

All are invited (entrance is free) to listen to Dr. Stokes as he speaks on “Adventures in Oceanography.” a photographic journey to science projects under and on top of the water around the globe. He will take us on ships, submarines, underwater habitats, from the North Pole to the South Pole. This presentation showcases a decade of images collected in exotic locations using a wide variety of unusual vessels and instrumentation. We’ll travel from working beneath the ice in the Antarctic, to submarines and diving in the tropics, to working with NASA in the high arctic, with many stops in between.

Dale Stokes is a research oceanographer in the Marine Physical Laboratory at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. His photographs have appeared in publications around the world including National Geographic, Ocean Realm, BBC Wildlife, Skin Diver, National Wildlife, Outside Magazine, Ranger Rick, and Natural History magazines among many others. He has worked on several documentary film projects as scientific adviser and cameraman, including BBC’s Blue Planet, the PBS Nature “Under Antarctic Ice,” and most recently the 3D IMAX film, “Wild Ocean.” Another IMAX film on the threatened nature of coral reefs will premier in 2010.

Dr. Stokes has a diverse background in biology and physics and works on projects as varied as polar ecology and air-sea gas transport. His work on bubble formation by breaking waves and his co-discovery of a previously unknown photosynthetic community beneath the ground in polar deserts were both recently reported in Nature. His field experiences include dozens of ship and land-based research projects around the world including three seasons in the Arctic and four in the Antarctic.

Dr. Stokes received degrees in Biology and Geology from Queen’s University in Canada and received a PhD in Oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, emphasizing work on marine larval biophysics. He did two years of post-doctoral work at Stanford University, before returning to the Marine Physical Laboratory at SIO.

The CIEE headquarters are located at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #21. (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Monday, June 01, 2009

CIEE (Bonaire) Announces Next Public Lectures for June, 2009

CIEE will be presenting two additional public lectures in the first half of June, on Thursday, June 4 and also on Wednesday, June 10, 2009.

The first lecture will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 4, 2009, and is entitled “Coral Reef Conservation: Perspectives on a Possible Future.” This lecture will be presented by Dr. Mark Vermeij, of CARMABI (Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity) in Curacao.

The following lecture will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, and is entitled “Coral Reefs, Climate Change and Resilience” presented by Dr. Gabriel Grimsditch of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

Both lectures will be conducted at the CIEE Research Station Bonaire located at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot 26.  All are welcome, and entry is free. (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

CIEE (Bonaire) Announces Next Public Lectures

The CIEE Station on Bonaire is offering two new public lectures.  The first is tonight, April 7th, 2009 at 7:00 PM featuring various reports on the studies of the spring semester students.  The second lecture, by Ed Levin of NOAA, will be held on Thursday, April 9th, 2009, also at 7:00 PM.

Tonight’s lecture will feature the following students, who will present their findings of independent research projects:

Julie Sickels (Eckerd College, Florida) on the “Effects of Bird Feeding on Salina Infauna”

Katie Kirschbaum (University of Minnesota) on “Does Food Availability and/or Habitat Structure Attract Juvenile Fish to Mangroves?”

Michelle von Sternberg (Eckerd College, Florida) on “Are Differences in Feeding Strategies of the Bar Jack (Caranx ruber) Related to Foraging Success in Coral Reef Habitats?”

Nate Landry (University of Massachusetts) on “Risky Business: Trade-offs Involved in Shallow Subtidal Feeding Behavior in Parrotfish (Scaridae)”

Marylou Hildebrand (University of California) on “Comparisons of Epibionts in Two Species of Sea Turtle in Bonaire”

Alissa Rickborn (Arizona State University) on “Diversity of Reef Sponges and Their Competition with a Mon-native Tunicate”

Thursday’s presentation by Mr. Ed Levin of NOAA will discuss the “Effects of Oil on the Marine Environment, Contingency Planning and Spill Response.” Ed Levine is the Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC), representing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Response and Restoration (O R & R), in the coastal region from Connecticut through Delaware.

Both lectures will take place at the CIEE Research Station located at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot 26.  All are welcome and entrance is free.  (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Thursday, April 02, 2009

STINAPA and DCNA Offer Public Workshop on Invasive Lionfish Approaching Bonaire

As discussed in previous stories, the invasive lionfish is rapidly spreading throughout the Caribbean and it is expected to reach Bonaire’s waters soon.

This species is very well adapted to Caribbean waters, where it does not have any enemies. Lionfish are very successful predators and threaten to displace native fish and disrupt local fisheries. They feed on juvenile grunts, snappers, and groupers, among others. Since these young fish, prey of the lionfish, are not yet ready for reproduction, their removal from the food chain can lower the populations of very important ecological and economic species. Scientists have observed some lionfish eating up to 20 small fish in 30 minutes.

The Bonaire National Marine Park (STINAPA) and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) are taking pro-active steps to educate both the general public as well as dive operators and their staff about controlling this invasive species. The workshop will be lead by Lad Akins (REEF) and Stephanie Green (Simon Fraser University).  Although some scientists theorize that “there is probably no way to stop the invasion completely,” a well informed community, and especially a well informed and pro-active dive staff, might be Bonaire’s best defense.  There will be workshops held for those working within the island’s dive industry, but a workshop will also be held for the general public, and all are invited to attend.

This workshop will take place on Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM and will be held in the conference room of Captain Don’s Habitat.  Entrance is free. (Source:  STINAPA and DCNA)

Thursday, March 05, 2009

CIEE Announces Two New Public Presentations

Coming right on the heels of another successful presentation this past Tuesday evening, CIEE Bonaire has just announced two more upcoming lectures, one this evening, Thursday, May 5, 2009 and another on Wednesday, March 25, 2009.

Tonight’s presentation will be made by Bob Steneck and Suzanne Arnold of the University of Maine, and is entitled, “Managing for the Future of Bonaire’s Coral Reefs: Are Parrotfish Key Players?” This presentation will begin at 7:00 PM tonight.

Also, on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, a rather “big fish” in the field of mangrove conservation, Roy R. Lewis, III, will discuss “Mangrove and Seagrass Management and Restoration.” Roy is a certified environmental professional for the National Association of Environmental Professionals and a Certified Senior Ecologist, Ecological Society of America.

Both talks will be held at the new CIEE Lecture Hall at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #26.  All invited, and entrance is free. (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Monday, March 02, 2009

CIEE Announces Next Public Lecture on Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The CIEE lectures have become popular events, providing a platform for all people interested in Bonaire and its nature.  At these events, locals mix with tourists, and everyone enjoys the evening. 

Tomorrow, March 3, 2009, the CIEE Research Station Bonaire will be holding their next public talk, presented by Elsmarie Beukeboom, Director of STINAPA.  She will discuss the history of the Bonaire National Marine Park, which is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2009.

Those interested should meet at the new CIEE lecture hall at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #26 no later than 7:00 PM on Tuesday.  All are invited, and entrance is free.  (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Monday, February 16, 2009

CIEE (Bonaire) Announces Next Lecture Open to the Public

CIEE Bonaire will host its next public talk at their new offices on Wednesday, February, 18, 2009, entitled The Potential of Green: Becoming New By Becoming Whole.

Those interested in attending should meet no later at 7:00 PM at the CIEE Building at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #26.  The talk will be presented by J. Tedrowe Bonner, who has focused his lecture on investigating whether rapid technological innovation, which has allowed the development of “green” products, is positive. While often it is, technology in and of itself will not bring us to the point of sustainability. This talk explores the concept of “whole systems thinking” and how it is employed to regenerate the social and ecological health of regions. Ideas for Bonaire will be explored in light of a whole systems approach.

For those who can attend a bit earlier, at 6:30 PM there will be a wine-tasting session (courtesy of Mr. Bonner).  The wines offered will be:

Red: Terre Allegre sangiovese from Puglia, Italy

White: Botter Bardolino chiaretto from the lake district, Italy

Rose: Terre Allegre trebbiano from Veneto, Italy

Everyone is welcome, and entry is free.  (Source: CIEE Bonaire)

Thursday, January 08, 2009

CIEE Bonaire and STINAPA Announce Joint Public Lecture

On Wednesday, January 14, 2009, CIEE Bonaire and STINAPA will both present short lectures on topics of interest about Bonaire.

Beginning at 7:00 PM, the first presentation will be by Sabine Engel, who will report her results of research done at Lac Bay.  Kristian Kats will follow with a presentation, also reporting results of other research done at Lac.  Finally, Cyril Giry of the MARUM Institute of Marine Sciences University of Bremen (Germany) will present a short lecture on Coral-based Reconstruction of the Southern Caribbean Sea, explaining how they intend to use fossil corals to reconstruct the history of Bonaire’s climate.

Each lecture will last approximately twenty minutes.  All are invited to attend, and the lectures are free.  The lectures will be held at the CIEE Research Station Bonaire at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot 21 in Kralendijk.  (Source:  CIEE Bonaire and STINAPA)

Friday, November 21, 2008

CIEE Research Station Bonaire Launches Newsletter; Constructs New Lab

Just two short years ago, the CIEE Research Station Bonaire (The Council on International Educational Exchange) commenced classes, and since that time, the organization has become an integral component of Bonaire’s nature studies, offering free public lectures on various topics of interest.  Additionally, they have now begun a published newsletter and are soon completing construction on a new lab.

To view the premier issue of the newsletter, click here (in PDF format).  To subscribe to receive future newsletters, e-mail info@cieebonaire.org.

Additionally, CIEE has been busy recently with the construction of a new lab, located across the street from the Research Station on Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot.  It’s hoped that the lab, which also will have staff offices and a presentation room, will be able to open mid-December, 2008. (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)