Field stations and marine laboratories (FSMLs) of all sizes around the world are creating the exceptional cross-site educational activities hosted on this website. We invite you to contribute content to these projects. Benefits of participation are:
- Global audience for your FSML and events, and increased awareness of your FSML by home institutions, community members and donors
- Pre-field trip activities for instructors that enhance on-site student learning at your FSML
- Service for researchers at your site that helps them reach a broad audience
- Connecting with other FSMLs or instructors
(If you are not an FSML and would like to contribute content, please contact us.)
Create pre-field trip materials for your FSML and become part of a national education initiative that teaches observation, communication and critical thinking skills. Each 3-minute video is filmed on a smartphone by FSML staff. A google “fly-in” orientation and information slide about your FSML is added by The Virtual Field staff to each video. Approximate preparation time is 10 hours.
To submit an Ecosystem Exploration video:- Register/Log-in
- Preview an Ecosystem Exploration video
- Prepare a video using the EE Video 10-Step Worksheet
- Upload your worksheet and information using the Ecosystem Exploration entry form
- Contact us about your interest in participating
Highlight research conducted at your site. You work with The Virtual Field staff to identify a researcher working at your site. Researchers receive a list of 13 questions to answer via a smartphone recording at their study site. Researchers participate in a live Q&A session with students from their office. Approximate preparation time is 3-5 hours.
To arrange for a researcher to participate in a Live from the Field event:- Register/Log-in
- Review a Live from the Field event
- Contact us about your interest in participating
- Prepare using the Live from the Field 9-Step Worksheet
Become part of a 360 photo monitoring project that lets students compare ecosystems around the world. FSMLs record and submit a 3-minute stationary video using 360 cameras at a photo monitoring site. Four recordings are requested – two at the equinoxes and two at the solstices. A google “fly-in” orientation and information slide about your FSML is added by The Virtual Field staff to each video. Approximate preparation time is 10 hours.
To prepare a 360-degree video:- Register/Log-in
- Prepare a video using the 360 Video 3-Step Worksheet
- Contact us about your interest in participating
Advertise virtual workshops, lectures and classes at your FSML to a national audience. FSMLs are invited to post events anytime. Events are posted to the The Virtual Field Events page. Interested participants will be directed to your FSML registration page or direct weblink.
To post a virtual event, workshop or class- Register/Log-in
- Review the Events page
- Upload information about your event using the Event Entry Form
Raise awareness about your FSML by sharing existing digital materials, such as curriculum, videos, virtual maps, imagery, live cameras and more.
To share materials:- Register/Log-in
- Upload Information with a link to your materials using the Discover More Entry Form
These trips and tricks help you create high-quality educational videos using your smartphone.