This National Science Foundation funded project is based at the Marine Education Center/ Gulf Coast Research Lab/ The University of Southern Mississippi and offers programs in MS, LA, AL, and FL. Each state provides a biennial Teacher/Scientist Institute in Summer and Two-Day Workshop in Fall of alternating years. The programs are designed to help classroom teachers and research scientists work together to incorporate ocean sciences into classroom teaching. The MS TSI is one week in residence at the Gulf Coast Research Lab June 22-27 2008 and six online sessions that are completed between July 5-31, 2008. The residential session teams 12 middle school science teachers with 6 research scientists and engages them all in learning about the coastal ocean environment through field, lab and classroom activities. Each team produces a lesson plan based on the scientist's work for the website repository. The online session includes internet presentations on a variety of of ocean science themes. After viewing each presentation, participants complete an assignment that includes four essay type questions, and prepare a lesson plan they can use to teach some aspect of the presentation. The online institute includes interaction via the website with other participants and the presenters.