Receiving a Grant from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to Support Student Expedition Studying Marine Mammals and Predators in Costa Rica!

It was a day in fall 2022 when I was designing unit plans for my participation in the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program. As part of the program, I had been part of the NOAA’s Thomas Jefferson ship crew, surveying Lake Erie during the summer of 2022. While searching for background information on NOAA’s website, I came across a grant aimed at increasing marine literacy among people from underrepresented populations. I thought this grant would be something worth pursuing for my students, but I was unsure about my chances of securing it. I felt a bit nervous since I had applied for many small grants and fellowships before, but never something of this magnitude. Despite my apprehension, I decided to apply, knowing that the worst outcome would be a rejection. So, I submitted my application.

A month later, I received an email informing me that our proposal had been accepted, and we had been awarded a grant to support our students’ marine expedition in Costa Rica! I was left speechless and couldn’t believe that this was actually happening. Until that moment, I had thought it impossible to take urban kids on an international expedition for 8 days. It was an unprecedented opportunity for our school and district.

Here was Project Proposal Summary:

The “Urban Citizen Scientists Support Preservation of Costa Rican Marine Ecosystem” project will enable 6 minority students and 2 teachers from Columbus, Ohio, to participate in a 10-day immersive experience in Gulfo Dulce, Costa Rica. During this expedition, students and teachers will conduct research on marine mammals and predators in the field. This project aims not only to foster a deeper understanding of ocean literacy through hands-on research to protect marine ecosystems but also to educate students about sustainable marine science programs and raise awareness of future career options.

How did I learn about the Marine Mammals and Predators Research in Costa Rica?

This is a story I believe everyone should hear. Up until the point of receiving the grant from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, I had been fortunate enough to receive numerous professional development grants and fellowships for teachers. My summer breaks were typically filled with incredible opportunities to learn and expand my knowledge of STEM education. One such opportunity was the Earthwatch Teach Earth Teacher Fellowship, which I had the privilege of participating in during the summer of 2021. I was fortunate to travel to Acadia National Park in Maine with a group of teachers from across the United States to study its biodiversity and the impact of climate change on the ecosystem. It was an unforgettable nine days during which I learned so much about biodiversity, climate change, and the importance of protecting our planet. It truly was a life-changing experience.

Following that, I applied to become a senior fellow for Earthwatch Teach Earth, hoping to lead a group of teachers experiencing the fellowship for the first time. However, I received an email informing me that I hadn’t been selected for the fellowship. About a month later, I received another email from the program coordinator, inviting me to become a senior fellow as the chosen individual had contracted Covid-19 and was unable to participate. With the expedition less than a week away, I had to make a quick decision, and of course, my response was a resounding yes! Within a week, I found myself in Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains studying owl ecology and habitat. It was yet another life-changing experience. These two experiences taught me about the incredible work that Earthwatch scientists are doing to protect our Earth while also teaching citizens to become “scientists” themselves through citizen science initiatives. I also became aware of the various expeditions Earthwatch offers worldwide, catering to both adults and teens.

This formed the foundation of my grant proposal. Inspired by my time as a NOAA Teacher at Sea Fellow and an Earthwatch Teach Earth Fellow, I realized I could take my students on one of these Earthwatch teen expeditions to showcase real scientific work happening in the field.

If I hadn’t been a NOAA Teacher at Sea Fellow and an Earthwatch Teach Earth Fellow, I would never have created this proposal for my students. By combining my two fellowship experiences, I am able to provide my students with a unique opportunity to learn more about the world.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the NOAA Teacher at Sea, Earthwatch Institute, and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for making all of this possible!

Here is the press release for the grant:

Silver Spring, Md. – March 1, 2023 – NOAA Ocean Exploration and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation have awarded 12 grants to help engage and inspire the next generation of ocean explorers by supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts related to ocean literacy and workforce development.

The DEIA Ocean Exploration Education Grants first launched in 2021 with the goal of advancing ocean exploration learning opportunities by investing in projects and partners that support the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) workforce development pipeline and engage diverse learners from communities that have been historically underserved and underrepresented in ocean science and exploration. These grants are for use by educators and/or education program implementers working at the intersection of STEAM education and DEIA to support the workforce development pipeline where barriers are most prohibitive to recruitment and retention of diverse learners.

This year, a total of 12 DEIA Ocean Exploration Education Grants were awarded. Nine grantees were each awarded up to $20,000 to fund their projects. Additionally, three grantees from the 2021 funded projects were awarded an additional $7,500 to continue and expand project efforts from the previous year. All projects will take place throughout Spring/Summer 2023.

“Our teams were truly impressed by the innovative methods each project used to address many barriers limiting access and opportunities for youth from historically marginalized communities from entering ocean science and exploration careers,” said Allison Alexander, Vice President, Program Operations for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. “We are excited to offer these grants again this year to support additional efforts to knock down barriers and advance the field by making it more inclusive and equitable to all.”

“I am proud that NOAA and the Foundation continue to open doors for the next generation of Ocean Explorers by providing ocean literacy and workforce development opportunities to diverse youth across the country,” said Jeremy Weirich, Director of NOAA Ocean Exploration. “Supporting the next generation of ocean scientists and ocean stewards – the foundation of a new, more equitable workforce – is a critical step in advancing a U.S. Blue Economy for years to come.”

Learn more about the projects, click here.