Welcome to the 2010 National Marine Educators Association Conference.
The Tennessee Educators of Aquatic and Marine Science (TEAMS) invite you to Gatlinburg, Tennessee at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
While Tennessee may not have an ocean today, hundreds of millions of years ago Tennessee was covered by a great salt water sea teeming with life. The Smokies were underwater mountains thrust up by the collision of two super continents, and received their smooth rounded shapes from the effects of the water. While the ocean is no longer in Tennessee, parts of the mountains still contain fossilized remains of sea creatures.
All water is connected. The water in the babbling brooks, rushing rapids, and serene streams of the Smoky Mountains will make it to the ocean...someday. Come to Gatlinburg and enjoy the quaint mountain setting of NMEA 2010.
The conference begins Monday afternoon with an exhibit preview and reception. Before taking it to the top of Mount Harrison aboard the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway, we will enjoy the Stegner Lecture performance. Tuesday is jam-packed with general and concurrent sessions. Tuesday will conclude with a fun-filled night at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Wednesday continues with general and concurrent sessions. During lunch you will have the opportunity to meet with your NMEA chapter. The annual auction will take place Wednesday evening so be sure to bring your checkbook! After the auction, you can dance the night away to FarCry, Nashville's best show band. Thursday offers more general and concurrent sessions. The highlight of the afternoon is the awards presentation followed by a real Tennessee Hoedown at Dumplin Valley farm. Friday is full of field trips that will take you to exciting destinations around East Tennessee and concludes with a stampede at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede.