Table of
Contents

Director's Report

Trustee News

Centennial Celebrations

Research and Education News

Leaving a Legacy

Building the Future

Meeting the Challenge

Honor Roll
of Donors

Shorelines

Stamps, Coins and Books Mark BBSR's Centennial

BBSR's centennial year is being commemorated with the release of several collectors' items. In February, the Bermuda Philatelic Bureau issued a set of four stamps in honor of BBSR's anniversary. The 35-cent, 70-cent, 85-cent and $1 stamps depict BBSR's marine research programs and are available at any of Bermuda's post offices. The Bermuda Monetary Authority has released a limited-edition BBSR centennial coin in gold and sterling silver. The coins feature the R/V Weatherbird II and are available at the Bermuda Monetary Authority for $350 and $35 respectively. The silver coins are also sold in the BBSR gift shop. In celebration of its centennial, BBSR has compiled a history of its first 100 years as a marine science institution – The First Century. The book is available in libraries throughout Bermuda and in the BBSR gift shop for $20.

Bermudian Teacher Selected for JASON XV Expedition

Bermuda High School teacher Virginia De Silva will join the JASON XV expedition to the rainforests of Panama as one of four Teacher Argonauts

Bermuda High School teacher Virginia De Silva has been selected as a Teacher Argonaut for the next JASON Project expedition, which will transport Bermuda's students to the rainforests of Panama via live satellite. Ms. De Silva is the first Bermudian Teacher Argonaut since 1996, and her selection is a particularly high honor because, this year, only four teachers worldwide have been chosen to participate, instead of the usual eight.

The JASON Project is an annual educational expedition involving leading scientists, teachers and students from around the world. The expeditions are broadcast globally via satellite to Primary Interactive Network (PIN) Sites, where groups of schoolchildren are able to participate in the adventures.

In 1993, BBSR became the first international PIN site. With the support of Cable & Wireless, Bermuda's schoolchildren were transported to Belize on their first JASON expedition. Since then, more than 3,000 local teachers and students have taken part in JASON each year, exploring rainforests, coral reefs, volcanoes, the Arctic, the deep ocean, and even outer space. Earlier this year, students journeyed to the unique Channel Islands region of California with JASON XIV: From Shore to Sea.

BBSR also offers professional development to local teachers based on the JASON curriculum. To date, approximately 500 teachers have received this training.

"Virginia De Silva has contributed a great deal to the JASON Project. Every year she seeks out and mentors would-be Student Argonauts, and volunteers her help with the professional development," says Helle Patterson, coordinator of the JASON Project in Bermuda. "I know that she will add even more to the program now that she is a Teacher Argonaut." 

Live broadcasts of JASON Project XV: Rainforests at the Crossroads, featuring Ms. De Silva, will take place at BBSR from January 26 to February 6, 2004.

Become a Member Online at www.bbsr.edu

You can now become a BBSR Associate or renew your membership on the Web at www.bbsr.edu. In May, BBSR launched its new online membership system, which allows anyone with Internet access to join or renew through our secure server by clicking on "Become a Member." You can also learn more about BBSR's research and education programs or sign up as a volunteer at www.bbsr.edu.