If you had the opportunity to do DM training for free....

[alcina]

Is it reasonable to expect that the OP can get through a cave class in 8 weeks? Absolutely. [/IMG]

I think she only has FOUR weeks.

And I'm not sure that she's going to be able to sell cave diving or similar as a continuing education that would benefit her role as an educator to those on the committee who probably won't "get" the magics you guys see

 

[Alex777]

I HAVE had the opportunity, for several years, of doing the DM class for free. I have no intention of working in the dive industry, so my answer has always been: "No."

IMHO, you can learn just as much on your own. I have read ("studied" is proably not an exaggeration) all of the DM written materials. I have guided many hundreds of dives and gradually learned to navigate (in Caribbean conditions). Etc.

My advice: just go diving.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

I am not going to be awarded this grant just to go on vacation. There needs to be a tie-in: educator as learner, and being outside of your comfort zone as we ask our students to do everyday in the classroom.

Hence, I thought of doing the DM course.

The whale tagging would be a neat option, thank you for the suggestion. That is the sort of thing I am looking for, other educational scuba options besides traditional scuba education that the grant committee may find interesting.

So if you need a justification use a scientific diving or exploration as a tie in. There are a number of groups that do population studies and look for volunteers. Or for 8K you could take some technical classes and get some gear. That could be for deep marine biology, marine archeology, wrecks or who knows. Both routes imply a major time commitment on your part, and the 8K might only be the start. But it would be renewing.

 

[jupitermermaid]

but had no intention of working as a DM....would you do it?

The short story is I have the opportunity, as a HS math teacher, to possibly win an 8K grant to do something I find "personally renewing," which of course involves diving!

I have no intention of giving up my day job. But the very term 'divemaster' is something that the grant committee may understand rather than listing additional certifications I would like to obtain, kwim? Currently I only hold OW and Nitrox, but would get the AOW and Rescue before I did the DM course.

My options are only limited by the 8K budget. I can quite literally go anywhere in the world I choose.

Would you do it? If so, where would you go? My timeframe consists of a 4 week window next July. It could possibly be stretched to 5, but that would be the maximum as school would begin again!

If not.....what would you do? The committee likes to see educators as learners and to see educators outside their comfort zone. As a fit 45 year old woman, I think DM would serve both those purposes, yet I am confident I could complete the course.

I am looking for a destination (whether I do the DM or not) that is safe for a woman staying for a month alone. I've not been to a dive destination I consider unsafe, but then my DH, BTravlin, has always been with me too. I'd love to go to the Pacific as I have not been there.

Any suggestions?

Wow!!! Where do I go to apply for a grant like this???

 

[Gilldiver]

As a Teacher how about a diving & History angle?

Contact the underwater archaeology guys at Texas A&M and see if you can go to their summer camp in Turkey as a volunteer diver. Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University

You just may be able to dive on a 2000 year old wreck and learn a lot of things about both diving, ancient ships, and trade. Also as a practicing teacher you just may be able to work with the undergrad and grad students on how they can better present what they are doing to the grade and high school kids.

 

[mrlipis]

I'm dismayed by the amount of cynicism and misinformation presented by some of the responders.

I'm a dive instructor who worked as a DM for 5 years before moving up, and, like you, teach math. So I think I can understand your passion for learning and teaching.

I think becoming a DM is exactly what you are looking for. You learn a lot more about the math and science behind diving and would be able to share much of that with your students (I do). You also learn how to be a good role model for divers and how to best help students who are learning how to dive--skills that teach patience and understanding, which can be applied to everyday life, making life richer for you and the people around you.

Finally, becoming a DM does not make you a target or any other such nonsense. It's not the military--no instructor can force you to take students while you're on a dive vacation (a horror story I had been told numerous times when I was contemplating becoming a DM). Likewise, you don't need liability insurance, even in the US, as long as you're not actively working as a dive professional. And if you're ever concerned about protecting yourself from someone who might just sue you because you have the DM rating and should have been able to keep them from being an idiot under water, PADI (and probably the other agencies) have a plethora of Liability Release forms that you can use--just have your dive buddies always sign a release before you agree to dive with them; because if something happens to them, they won't be the ones suing you--it'll be their relatives. My guess, though, is that as a teacher, you don't present an obvious money-pot for people who might want to sue.

I agree with this poster. I recently finished my DM and would consider it a great learning experience. Loved the dive theory, physics and problem solving. I am not currently insured or actively working in the industry and have no reservations about taking the class. The OP should however get Rescue out of the way as 4 weeks would be pushing it for the DM course all by itself.

Bruce

 

[paradicio]

and get a Science Diver rating from the organization that accredits zoos and aquariums

Do you know who does this? Sounds like a course I'd love to take!

 

[hlcdlc]

Presumably the grant is contestable, i.e. ten people applying for one grant against some criteria? Can you shed some light on what the actual criteria are against which your application would be judged?

Last year over 700 teachers applied for this grant and 120 are awarded. You really do not have to tie-in to the classroom (whew); it is more about 'personal renewal' so that you don't burn out....which is about where I am this year, believe me!

The awards committee does give tips as to what they want to see, which is the 'educator as learner' and 'being out of your comfort zone' although some of the things they have awarded in the past crack me up. "Studying the Cuisine of Southern Italy".....um, so you flew over and ATE for a MONTH? You do have to give presentations and small talks upon your return.

You all have given me some wonderful suggestions and I am going to explore the ideas and links you have supplied over the weekend. I have to submit my proposal in November, then winners are announced early next year.

Thank you!

 

[--tom--]

Do you know who does this? Sounds like a course I'd love to take!

Search for a class that allows for AAUS certification. There are a number of colleges that offer it. In August, CSU Monterey Bay in conjunction with the Moss Landing Marine Research facility usually does a 2 week camping/diving program just south of Big Sur. Bring your "A" game, college students are mercilessly energetic.

FYI, this is really a discipline of diving that focuses on how to dive and not destroy a research site while promoting a dive style that has the lowest accident rate of any diving organization. It doesn't teach marine biology, it teaches you to dive in such a way that hands on marine biology is possible.

 

[AndyNZ]

Last year over 700 teachers applied for this grant and 120 are awarded. You really do not have to tie-in to the classroom (whew); it is more about 'personal renewal' so that you don't burn out....which is about where I am this year, believe me!

That's about 1 in 5, that's not too bad a hit rate!

I can certainly beleive it with teacher burnout! I'm due a semester break soon, and need it.

If it's about personal renewal, that's awesome - it certainly makes some things feasible that wouldn't be if you had to tie it back to teaching practice.

The awards committee does give tips as to what they want to see, which is the 'educator as learner' and 'being out of your comfort zone' although some of the things they have awarded in the past crack me up. "Studying the Cuisine of Southern Italy".....um, so you flew over and ATE for a MONTH? You do have to give presentations and small talks upon your return.

Man, a month in Italy eating..... where do I sign up!?

Have you thought about things like coral bleaching surveys? There's a lot of these going on in the South Pacific, and on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

There's also some opportunities with turtles and smaller communities;

Volunteer Abroad Program - Volunteer with Turtles and Community Development in Vanuatu

Not overly dive related, but you'd definitely get some diving in.

You could also look at projects like EarthWatch;

Earthwatch Worldwide - Earthwatch

They've got a project down here diving the wrecks in Chuuk Lagoon, which quite frankly would be AMAZING!!

Diving WW II Wrecks of Truk Lagoon

A lot of the wrecks are a little deeper, so you could combine the project work with some more advanced dive training. Chuuk is in my top three most desirable dive locations right now, and a condition for me moving back to the northern hemisphere is that I have to have gone to Chuuk for at least three weeks before I move.

You'll have a great time, for sure!

You all have given me some wonderful suggestions and I am going to explore the ideas and links you have supplied over the weekend. I have to submit my proposal in November, then winners are announced early next year.

Feel free to drop me a private message if you want any specific advice about the South Pacific.