Science Communication Fellowship
The Science Communication Fellowship immerses formal and informal educators in the Nautilus Corps of Exploration as communicators for exploration and empowers them to bring the excitement of ocean exploration - specifically in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) - to students and public audiences around the world. Fellows share accounts of ocean research, expedition operations, STEM careers, and daily life with audiences of all ages through live audio commentary on the Nautilus Live website and through outreach to classrooms and communities via ship-to-shore live interactions.
We use the term educator with a broad and inclusive definition. Applicants can include educators at all levels including kumu kaiapuni, public, or private school K-12 teachers, community or youth-service non-profit educators, museum or aquarium interpreters, storytellers, writers, artists, etc. Educators of any discipline may apply. Consider how you would use this opportunity to share biocultural knowledge, career role modeling, and ocean exploration experiences with learners and your community.
The Science Communication Fellowship is a professional development program that includes:
- experience sailing 3-4 weeks as part of the exploration team onboard a deep sea oceanographic expedition;
- participation in a science communication training workshop at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography in March 2023;
- paid travel to/from the expedition and the training workshop + substitute or stipend support at sea + a stipend for community or classroom STEAM outreach;
- a year-long commitment to collaborate with the OET team, STEM education professionals, research scientists, and educator Fellows within the cohort;
- development of a STEM-lesson or outreach material deliverable for your education audience; and
- the agreement to serve as a role model for learners based on your Nautilus experience and engage students, organizations, and communities in the excitement of ocean exploration and STEAM.
"It has truly been life-changing...Thanks for deepening my view of the world and inspiring me to approach complicated topics in order to become a better communicator."
OET is committed to including, amplifying, and making space for more Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, LGBTQIA+, and historically marginalized voices in the deep sea and STEAM communities. We encourage a diverse pool of applicants, particularly educators who themselves represent or who engage learners and communities who have been traditionally underrepresented in, and historically marginalized from STEAM. Educators at Title-1 schools are warmly encouraged to apply! Learn more about our diversity and inclusion efforts and priorities.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, or handicap. The application packet includes more information about life aboard an exploration vessel and details about available support and accommodation.
The Ocean Exploration Trust’s Science Communication Fellowship aims to provide educators with training and immersive at-sea experiences in science communication and ocean exploration. Sailing with Ocean Exploration Trust offers participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding of how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics apply to real-world situations and to engage their classrooms, organizations, and local communities in ocean exploration.
Applications are closed for the 2023 season. Please sign up for our newsletter for updates on the 2024 application process.
"Students in my community will be inspired to pursue careers in STEM...At the most basic and fundamental level, they will know why collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity is the key to building a team, and accomplishing a goal."
