URI connects students with scientists at sea

SMITHFIELD – The University of Rhode Island’s Office of Marine Programs has entered a partnership with the Smithfield schools to enable students to interact, in real time, with scientists at sea through an advanced telecommunications system and 46-inch plasma screens.
The system is the same as the one used at URI’s Inner Space Center.
“This is an exciting and unique opportunity to connect scientific research with K-12 science curricula so students can experience the research and interact with it as it’s happening,” said Gail Scowcroft, associate director of the Office of Marine Research, in a news release.
Smithfield Schools Superintendent Robert O’Brien said he believes the technology “will really engage our students to learn about the oceans.”
“This technology is so natural because it’s the way kids learn today,” he said.