Celia Cackowski

Summary:

A biologist by training, I spent several years in marine research before switching gears into public outreach. I now work in support of ocean literacy by creating educational websites for global audiences, designing online courses for coastal and ocean workforce initiatives, and mentoring graduate students with an interest in science communication. 

Education:

Executive Certificate in Environmental Communication, Duke University
Master of Arts in Ecology & Integrative Conservation, Miami University
Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, Roger Williams University

Current Projects:

• Bridge Ocean Education Resource Center 
• Ocean Education Exchange (portal in development)
• Science of Shellfish Aquaculture (SoSA) Course Series
• Hōkūle'a / Moananuiākea Pacific Knowledge Network 
• Virginia Scientists & Educators Alliance (VA SEA)  
• Coastal & Ocean Workforce Development

Past Projects:

• Virginia Coastal Ecosystems Field Course 
• Inner Space Center / Nautilus Live 
• Digitizing Biodiversity (DigIn!)
• Hurricanes: Science & Society
• Discovery of Sound in the Sea
• Census of Marine Life 

Selected Publications:

Nuss, S. M., Caputo, A., Lawrence, L., Gardiner, G. Smith, B. and Cackowski, C. (in press). Shaping scientific literacy: How underserved students conceptualize marine scientists and themselves. In T. Kennedy (ed.) Ocean Literacy: The Foundation for the Success of the Ocean Decade, Volume 1: Transforming Education, Research and Engagement. Springer Publishing Company. [Preview]

Bruno, B.C., Cackowski, C., Frederick, J.A., Vincent, R., Bennet, A. (2024). Applied Education Programming: Four Exemplars in Environmental Literacy and Teacher Professional Development. Oceanography. [PDF]

McGuire Nuss S., Sharpe K., Brill C.H., Lawrence L., Cackowski C. (2019). Building Capacity for Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences. In: Fauville G., Payne D., Marrero M., Lantz-Andersson A., Crouch F. (eds) Exemplary Practices in Marine Science Education. Springer, Cham; Springer International. [PDF]

Brill C.H., Lawrence L., McGuire Nuss S., Cackowski C., Sharpe K. (2019). Out of the Tower and into the Classroom: Marine Science Graduate Students as K-12 Classroom Contributors. In: Fauville G., Payne D., Marrero M., Lantz-Andersson A., Crouch F. (eds) Exemplary Practices in Marine Science Education. Springer, Cham; Springer International. [PDF]

The Sea Grant Educator Network. (2018). 10 Year NOAA Sea Grant Environmental Literacy Vision, 2018-2028. NOAA Sea Grant. [PDF]

Census of Marine Life International Secretariat. (2010). First Census of Marine Life: Highlights of a Decade of Discovery. [PDF]

Cackowski, C. (2010). Census of Marine Life: Bringing a Decade of Global Research into the Classroom. The Earth Scientist. 26(1), 18-24. [PDF]

To explore all that the Office of Outreach & Engagement has to offer, please visit vims.edu/engage. To learn more about my professional background and interests, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram, or download my full CV.