The Southeastern University Research Association Coastal Ocean Observing and Prediction Program: integrating marine science and information technology

The Southeastern University Research Association (SURA) Coastal Ocean Observing and Prediction (SCOOP) program includes university, government, and private sector partners working together to implement information technology solutions. The SCOOP program goal is a modular and distributed system for predicting and visualizing the coastal response to extreme atmospheric events, including the damaging and catastrophic effects of storm surge, inundation and wind waves. SCOOP program partners are creating the "IT glue" for this interoperable system of systems by modularizing critical components and standardizing the interfaces between the modules. SCOOP emphasizes the transition of "pre-operational" research activities to operational status, and uses the real-time prediction system as an innovative research tool. SCOOP partners are turning environmental measurement and prediction into a community effort and a real-time collaboration between research institutions and operational agencies.