Marine Ecology Event
Congratulations to our 2013 Winners!
Follow this link to find the winners of this years contest!
What is the 4-H State Marine Ecology Event?
The 4-H State Marine Ecology Event (MEE) provides 4-H youth with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge of the marine and aquatic worlds. To prepare for the MEE, 4-H Leaders and club members go on marine field trips, visit museums and aquariums, have group study sessions, conduct internet research, and develop their own “mock contests”. In the process, youth learn important life skills.
The contest is divided into 5 sections. They are
1. Marine and coastal plant identification.
2. Marine invertebrate animal identification
3. Marine vertebrate animal identification
4. Natural History Scavenger Hunt
5. Knowledge of marine concepts and issues
NEW this year!! An additional component of the MEE has been created this year, called Service Learning in Aquatic and Marine Education and Conservation (SLAMEC). Mini-grants up to $300 are available to clubs to support service learning projects in their community. Any 4-H club can participate.
Click here for Project Proposal Form
Click here for Project Report Form
NEW DATE! The 2014 State Marine Ecology Event (MEE) will be held
Saturday, November 8 at the Marion County Extension Office in Ocala, FL.
The 2014 MEE is sponsored by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
2014 Registration Deadlines:
- October 24 (Post Marked)*
- October 28 (LATE Deadline – In state Office)
*Please remember your county Extension office will have an earlier deadline than the state office.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Check-in………………………………………8:30 am – 9:00 am
Volunteer assignments ……………..9:00 am – 9:15 am
Introduction to Event……………………9:15 am – 9:45 am
Event/Rotations…………………………. 9:45 am -12:00 noon
Education Activities…………………….10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Lunch…………………………………………..12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Recognition/Awards………………….. 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
The MEE is open to three groups of 4-Hers:
1. Juniors (8-10)
2. Intermediates (11-13)
3. Seniors (14-18)
Guidelines & Forms
2014 Event Description and Guidelines (pdf)
2014 MEE Registration Form (pdf)
Answer Key to all MC Questions (pdf)
Junior Specific Materials
Junior Multiple Choice Questions (pdf)
Junior MEE Species List (pdf)
Junior Species Identification Guide (pdf)
Junior Companion Guide (pdf)
Intermediate/Senior Specific Materials (Updated!)
Intermediate Multiple Choice Questions (pdf)
Senior Multiple Choice Questions (pdf)
Intermediate and Senior Species List (pdf)
Intermediate/Senior Species Identification Photo Guide (pdf)
Intermediate and Senior Companion Guide (pdf)
Lesson 5
Special 2014 Topic (for Intermediates and Seniors only):
2014 Special Topic – “Ocean Explorer”
MEE Study Aides
The following links provide additional materials that may be helpful in preparing youth for the State Marine Ecology Event!
Preparing 4-H Youth for the MEE (pdf)
Preparation Strategies for leaders and youth (pdf)
List of Marine Education centers/facilities in S FL
Grey vs red snapper (pdf)
NEW! YouTube Video on Sealife in SW FL Estuaries
Picture Flash Cards
These smaller “card-size” photos may be used in “mock MEE contests” by arranging them (or real specimens!) on a table. Youth identify the organisms by name and/or number from a given list (see next section). These cards may also be used in developing a “mock” scavenger hunts.
Plant cards with no names
OR Plant cards with names
Invertebrate cards with no names
OR Invertebrate cards with names
Vertebrate cards with no names
OR Vertebrate cards with names
Organism Lists
These lists may be used for setting up mock contests. Youth identify the organism by looking for its name on the appropriate list. Once they see its name they should write down the corresponding number on the answer sheet (see next section). Note: Names are arranged alphabetically in groups so they do not follow the same order as in the slides on the CD.
Practice Answer Sheets
These “mimic” the real answer sheets used in each section of the contest.
Section 1 – Plant Answer Sheet (any level)
Section 2 – Invertebrate Answer Sheet (any level)
Section 3 – Vertebrate Answer Sheet (any level)
Section 4 – Sample Scavenger Hunt Clue/Answer Sheet
Junior clue sheet
Intermediate/Senior clue sheet
Section 5 – Multiple Choice Answer Sheet (any level)
Click here for information on the 2013 Marine and Aquatic Photo Contest
Promo Flyers
These one page promotional flyers are availabe for club leader / member distribution.
2014 photo Flyer
2014 MEE Flyer
Upcoming MEE Workshops
A number of Florida Sea Grant agents hold “mock” Marine Ecology Events to help 4-H youth prepare for the state event. Check back later for possible dates. Registration is usually required.
The State Marine and Aquatic Photography Contest is coming up as well. The deadline for all county photo entries to be received at State 4-H Headquarters is Thursday, October 17 by 5 pm. For guidelines and entry forms see: http://florida4h.org/programsandevents_/marinephoto/
For more information on the MEE contact:
Karen Blyler
4-H State Science Coordinator
kblyler@ufl.edu
352-846-4444
Registration
State Events Office
4HEvents@ifas.ufl.edu
County Contacts
County 4-H Web sites
County Extension Offices