The System Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) is an important element of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). SWMP provides baseline data to the IOOS system, allowing scientists to collect water quality data, including dissolved oxygen, temperature, and turbidity from our nation’s estuaries. The SWMP is a backbone to the IOOS, providing a continuous and real time data stream that contributes to a larger data collection system.

As IOOS develops, teachers and their students will have the opportunity to explore the ocean in real time right from the classroom. We conducted a needs assessment of K-12 educators in order to investigate if and how SWMP real-time data and associated education products could be developed to support understanding and appreciation of the role the ocean plays in our lives.