Education and Outreach

Advancing Coastal Hazards Education in Puerto Rico

On Friday, May 16, CARICOOS hosted a Coastal Hazards Workshop attended by enthusiastic science teachers from schools across the island, all of whom are part of the Puerto Rico Department of Education. From storm surge to rip currents, educators explored the science behind these hazards and how to incorporate this critical knowledge into their classrooms. They… Read More

Inaugurating CARICOOS’ First Coastal and Aquatic Hazards Educational Center in Puerto Rico 

On February 1, 2024, the Caribbean Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS) inaugurated the first Coastal and Aquatic Hazards Education Center (CERCA) at the Alejandro Tapia y Rivera (ATR) Montessori school in La Parguera, a frontline community in Lajas, Puerto Rico. CERCA aims to educate and inform citizens about the risks and vulnerabilities faced by communities living… Read More

Visualization of Puerto Rico coral reef monitoring data in the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network data portal

The Puerto Rico Coral Reef Monitoring Program (PRCRMP) has been a joint effort between the PR Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) and NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) to gather biological data on the status of benthic and fish assemblages since 1999. Datasets available include several measurements such as coral cover percent, fish… Read More

CARICOOS expands its kiosk network to reach new users and promote the use of its products.

Enhancing awareness and appropriate utilization of CARICOOS products and services is an essential part of the CARICOOS mission. To accomplish this goal, CARICOOS offers workshops, one-on-one sessions with users to help them read CARICOOS forecasts, produce video tutorials, among others. Along with these services, CARICOOS recently expanded its information kiosk network to include two new… Read More

CARICOOS Boating app: an accessible and easy-to-use tool for boaters.

Recreational boating is a popular and enjoyable marine recreation activity for many people in the CARICOOS region. However, in order to minimize risks, boaters need easy access to sea state conditions that can help them make suitable decisions. Taking into account this need, and given CARICOOS success with PA’ LA PLAYA app, a market analysis… Read More

More than 1,000 people reached through webinar series

Despite the multiple challenges that covid-19 has brought, and in order to adapt to this new reality, CARICOOS Outreach and Education staff explored new ways to continue its mission of educating users about the correct use of its products and services. To address this issue, on April 2020 CARICOOS collaborated with the National Scholastic Surfing… Read More

Outreach activities in during lockdown

Given the need for minimize social contact, arising from the global COVID-19 pandemic, CARICOOS has teamed up with National Scholastic Surfing Association Puerto Rico Conference in the implementation of an educational outreach effort using online platforms including Zoom Meeting and Facebook Live. It’s goal is to promote safety and enjoyment of aquatic sports by delivering… Read More

CARICOOS workshop at the Tri Beta Society of UPR Cayey

Continuing efforts to increase our stakeholder’s understanding of the correct use of coastal weather data, CARICOOS hosted a Waves Workshop for the Honorary Society of Biology BBB (Tri-Beta) of UPR Cayey campus which included a detailed description of the services, tools, and products available on the CARICOOS.org website. During the workshop, we focused on coastal… Read More

High school students learn about waves and the correct use of wave data and forecasts

In collaboration with Puerto Rico Sea Grant (PRSG) CARICOOS has developed a “Waves Workshop” focused on educating K12 students and teachers on wave concepts and terminology. Sea Grant curriculum specialist, Delmis Alicea, PhD., has been advising CARICOOS staff on the importance of educational strategies and of assessing the learning progress following the Department of Education… Read More