Oceanography class hits home

As Edison High School oceanography students Peter Laramie and Amy Moore discussed the habitats and behaviors of sea turtles, their peers watched, taking notes to prepare for a looming quiz.

Despite some technical problems ? the students’ computer presentation did not work on the classroom computer ? the students were able to get through their presentation without missing a beat.

Using technology in the presentation was a requirement, but teacher Bill Matheny said students learned they can’t always depend on computers.

“They can’t rely on technology all the time ? they have to have a backup plan,” said Matheny, who is a Huntington Beach native. “In an hour they were able to completely modify their presentation, and that will be important in college and the business world, to know how to think on their feet.”

The technological aspect is only peripheral to the oceanography class.

“It’s really a kind of nice all-encompassing class that gives students a lot of information they can apply to their real lives,” Matheny said in an interview in his classroom, which has critters in the aquariums and photos of students and marine images on the walls. “It’s really something they can use.”

Given the proximity of the Pacific Ocean, it’s important for students to learn about the resource, Matheny said.

“It applies to their lives so much,” he said. “These students have knowledge of the ocean. A lot of them surf or fish or scuba dive.”

The first semester is spent learning about the physical nature of the ocean. In the second half of the year, the students learn about marine biology.

Matheny also has talked to his students about the Poseidon desalination project that was approved by the City Council in March.

“When we were talking about groundwater and things like that, we brought it up,” said Matheny, who wrote a school report about a proposed desalination plant in Huntington Beach 30 years ago. “It’s interesting because even though we have one of the best aquifer systems in the area, we’re still considering a desalination plant. However, in the future, water is going to become more and more valuable and harder to come by.”

Matheny said he and his class discussed why a desalination plant might be needed and the potential effects it might have on the environment.

“That’s still a long way from anything ever happening,” he said. “If it did happen, it would be great. It’d make an awesome field trip.”

Oceanography is an elective course but does count toward the two years of science needed to graduate. Some students opt to take the course after not performing well in more traditional science classes, but others take it because they find it interesting and fun, Matheny said, which could be a testament to his teaching style.

“Mr. Matheny is not really strict, and he makes it fun,” said sophomore student Carlee Tuppan. “I like that he’s really enthusiastic. Taking notes is not a chore in this class; I like taking notes in here.”

Sophomore student Nate Roberts shared his feelings about his teacher more succinctly.

“Mr. Matheny is the man,” he said.

During his busy first year as a teacher ? the business owner recently made a career change ? Matheny seemed to have only one complaint about the work.

“I just wish I had more time to jump in the ocean,” he said. “I just love the coast, and this is fantastic.”hbi.18-class-kt-CPhotoInfo6U1R153U20060518izdtxcncKENT TREPTOW / INDEPENDENT(LA)Peter Laramie, 18, right, and Amy Moore, 16, give a class presentation on the evolution of marine birds at Edison High School on Tuesday.