Bringing Students to Sea Aboard E/V Nautilus: OET Partners with STEMSEAS

Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) this week welcomes a cohort of students and educators from the Science, Technology, Engineering, And Math Student Experiences Aboard Ships (STEMSEAS) and A-STEP (Ambassadors for STEM Training to Enhance Participation) programs aboard E/V Nautilus. The cohort will join a 10-day seafloor mapping expedition sponsored by Ocean Networks Canada between Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, and Sidney, BC.

STEMSEAS is a National Science Foundation (NSF) supported program that provides exploratory experiences for students from diverse backgrounds to sail on research vessels to engage in geoscience and oceanography activities. This program specializes in broadening exposure to marine and STEAM fields through cohort-based experiences early in students’ academic path. Generally run on vessels from the UNOLS academic fleet, this is the second year of collaboration between STEMSEAS and OET, made possible through ship time supported by Ocean Networks Canada. Working together, this opportunity leverages OET’s extensive outreach and education capabilities and the onboard team as a unique mobile classroom for students to gain exposure to science, technology, engineering, and communication career exploration. 

This collaboration brings instructors and students from six community colleges and universities in six states to join the expedition team:

• Jeanette Pirlo, California State University Stanislaus (Instructor)
• Larkin Bohn (Instructor)
• Alondra Infante-Stevens (Graduate Student Mentor Instructor)
• Jesse Avendano, City University of New York
• Johana Dominguez, California State University Stanislaus
• Dania Frazier, Whatcom Community College
• Marisol Gonzalez Flores, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Swazi Gurnell, Texas Southern University
• Jesus Hernandez, California State University Stanislaus
• Nayeli Ramos, California State University Stanislaus
• Danika Villaneuva, San Diego City College

“We know going to sea on a vessel like E/V Nautilus is transformative for students,” says OET’s Director of Education & Outreach Megan Cook. “The opportunity to be a key part of exploration unfolding in real-time, gaining exposure to new technologies, and experiencing the truly interdisciplinary nature of expedition work inspires and empowers students in their own career tracks.” OET proudly supports student programs like this one and our own Science & Engineering Internship Program, which has selected STEMSEAS alums in the past. 

Supported by OET expedition personnel, experienced faculty, and graduate student mentors, onboard participants will gain exposure to geoscience professionals and career exploration through participating in hands-on science activities, introductions to science exploration technology (including remotely operated vehicles and mapping sonars), vessel operations, career talks from other professional explorers, reflective exercises about science identity, science communication workshops, and other onboard outreach activities. Students will also participate in hosting ship-to-shore interactions with classrooms and learning venues worldwide. 

Anyone in the world can join the team exploring the ocean in real-time via NautilusLive.org, a live streaming 24/7 interactive portal for seafloor expeditions. The ship connects with learners daily and broadcasts live exploration daily inviting everyone into the process and excitement of discovery. 

This expedition is a seafloor mapping transit to bring the E/V Nautilus from Hawaiʻi to British Columbia. The transit route will be planned to fill gaps in seabed mapping and thereby support priorities of Seabed2030 and the US National Strategy for Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization. This trip will utilize the deep-water mapping capabilities of E/V Nautilus to map previously uncharted seafloor during the transit route.