Dear
Students and Teachers:
We need your
help in naming a new ship for the Federal Government! On behalf
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
and its partners, I am pleased to invite you to participate in
the nationwide "Name NOAA's New Ship for Exploration"
competition. The winning team will name NOAA's new 224-ft. vessel
to be used exclusively for ocean exploration and research.
As a federal
science agency conducting research and gathering data about global
oceans and atmosphere, one of NOAA's important missions is to
protect and manage ocean resources. We know our ocean regulates
climate change, provides food, medicine and energy resources,
and enables worldwide commerce, but there is much more we need
to learn. Voyages of discovery to the depths of unknown or little-known
ocean areas find new species and ecosystems, as well as ancient
human artifacts that add to our records of history and culture.
By forming
a team and entering the competition, you will have fun while learning
about ocean exploration, research and stewardship. At the same
time, you will be helping NOAA achieve one of its educational
goals: to bring to America's students a greater appreciation and
understanding of the ocean, and create a new generation of stewards
who will watch over and protect our precious natural resources
for generations to come.
You can learn
a great deal about NOAA's activities by using the Internet to
help spark your creativity. Please visit our Web site at http://www.education.noaa.gov
to get the most up-to-date contest information. Also look at the
NOAA Ocean Exploration Program at http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov
to see NOAA's exciting work.
The winning
team will be invited for a day tour of one of NOAA's atmospheric
or oceanographic facilities. During their visit, team members
will have the opportunity to learn about the NOAA facility, and
about environmental stewardship and the role they can play in
protecting the ecosystem.
Be a part
of history and form your team to "Name NOAA's New Ship for
Exploration" today.
