Marine Ecology Event
Congratulations to our 2012 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) is a competitive event that provides 4-H youth with an opportunity 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 2013 DATE! The next State Marine Ecology Event (MEE) will be held Saturday,
November 2, 2013 at the Osceola County Extension Office in Kissimmee, FL.
Registration Deadlines:
- October 15 (Post Marked)
- October 21 (LATE Deadline – In 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
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
NEW 2013 GUIDELINES AND MATERIALS COMING SOON!
2012 Event Description and Guidelines (pdf)
2012 MEE Registration Form (pdf)
2012 Study Materials
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 for 2012 (REVISED)
Special 2012 Topic (for Intermediates and Seniors only):
Marine Debris – Questions (pdf)
Educators Guide to Marine Debris (pdf)
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
Crab Correction Sheet (.doc)
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.
Plant Lists: Junior, Intermediate, Senior
Invertebrate Lists: Junior, Intermediate, Senior
Vertebrate List: Junior, Intermediate, Senior
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 2012 Marine and Aquatic Photo Contest
Promo Flyers
These one page promotional flyers are availabe for club leader / member distribution.
2012 Photo Flyer
2012 MEE Flyer
Click here for list of winners 2011 MEE!
Upcoming MEE Workshops
A number of Florida Sea Grant agents are planning to hold “mock” Marine Ecology Events to help 4-H youth prepare for the state event. For counties in southwest Florida, one will be held Monday, November 19th from 6-9 pm at the Lee County Extension office. Registration is required. For more information contact FL Sea Grant Agent Joy Hazell at jhazell@ufl.edu. For counties in northeast Florida, a mock MEE will be hosted by Florida Sea Grant agent, Maia McGuire, on Saturday November 10 from 10 am to 1 pm at the St. Johns County Extension office. Please confirm with her through e-mail at mpmcg@ufl.edu by November 7 if your county plans to come.
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, November 15 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