About this site

This site is a project of the Science and Numeracy Special Collection, National Institute for Literacy (NIFL). The special collection provides online science and numeracy resources and curricular materials for teachers, tutors, learners, and others who are interested in adult literacy and numeracy programs.

This site was originally established in support of the Oregon “Ocean Sciences & Math Collaborative Project.” This project seeks to integrate ocean sciences and ocean-related topics into adult education instructional programs. Partners include the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University; the State of Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development; the Hatfield Marine Science Center; Oregon Sea Grant; and the National Institute for Literacy.

The College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences (COAS), Oregon State University: “Our mission is to increase knowledge and understanding about oceanic and atmospheric sciences to help Oregonians, the nation, and the world respond to the challenges of a dynamic and changing Earth system.” Ocean, Air, & Earth Investigations are interesting one-page descriptions of some COAS global research projects.

Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, State of Oregon: “The adult education and literacy programs in Oregon's community colleges are an essential component of Oregon's education and workforce system. The Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development administers federal Adult Education and Literacy funds to local providers as well as provides local programs with leadership and training in order to assure quality basic skills services for adults across Oregon.”

Hatfield Marine Science Center: The Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) is a research and teaching facility located in Newport, Oregon on the Yaquina Bay estuary, about one mile from the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. Visit the HMSC Visitor Center online.

National Institute for Literacy LINCS: LINCS, the Literacy Information aNd Communication System, is a national electronic information and communication system for adult literacy. LINCS provides a comprehensive collection of family and adult basic skills research, teaching/ learning and training resources. It is a program of the National Institute for Literacy, whose goal is to strengthen literacy across the lifespan.

Oregon Sea Grant: “Oregon Sea Grant works to further knowledge of the marine and coastal environments of the Pacific Northwest, and the forces-natural and human-that shape their destiny.” Sea Grant’s parent agency is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Susan Cowles provides the learning activities and the other content for the Ocean Sciences Station website. Susan is the project director for the Science & Numeracy Special Collection. She has many years of experience as a teacher of adult basic skills and as a professional development specialist.

Ocean Science Station is designed and hosted by Literacyworks. Literacyworks is an educational nonprofit organization created to increase accessibility and participation of underprivileged and underrepresented adults, families and children for the purpose of increasing literacy, technology, and basic skills.