By Jessi James, Marine Education Specialist
June 25, 2019
As a curious and nature-loving child, I would spend every summer at the Marine Education Center’s Sea Camp learning the ends and outs of marine biology and everything our environment had to offer. Over the years, I eventually outgrew this camp physically but was left mentally wanting so much more. I knew from an early age that because of this heavy exposure to science, I was destined to become a marine biologist. Little did I know that I would use my degree to become the coordinator of the very same camps I loved so dearly in my youth.
Earlier in the year, I was approached by Dr. Leila Hamdan and her team to take on a correspondent role to assist with the education and outreach component of the Microbial Stowaways project. With this latest responsibility, a new educational program was to be created to center around the dedication and experimentation of exploration research.
Ocean Science and Technology students aboard the R/V Point Sur, next to Pelagic Research Services ROV Odysseus. Image courtesy of Jessi A. James. Download larger version (jpg, 6.1 MB).
Thus, Ocean Science and Technology Camp (OSTC) is the newest (and first) residential summer camp program to be crafted by The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Marine Education Center. This week-long camp allows high-school-aged students to explore the different subfields of marine science and gives them a hands-on approach to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related careers.
Participating students started their week in the classroom learning about the history and importance of ocean exploration, getting to build simple remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and building an educational foundation for the week to come. Today, students hopped aboard to tour the R/V Point Sur in preparation for their role on our research cruise and spoke with crew members of all titles. Later in the week, myself and Dr. Hamdan will be holding a ship-to-shore telepresence communication with the campers in order to discuss our newest findings at sea. Other camp activities include: a full day of scientific sampling aboard the R/V Jim Franks, visiting the USM Department of Marine Science at the John C. Stennis Space Center, diving deeper into this microbial research, and getting to network with professionals in the fields of marine science and engineering.
Students in the control room learning what it takes to pilot the ROV Odysseus during multimillion-dollar missions. Image courtesy of Jessi A. James. Download larger version (jpg, 6 MB).
This week, I’ve had the pleasure to meet these bright, young students who are, in every way, thankful for a rare opportunity to chase their dreams of being involved in STEM. I truly enjoy hearing the excitement in their voices when speaking of future endeavors and appreciate that they are attending with open minds ready to soak in as much knowledge as they can. I hope that I am able to help raise up this future generation of young scientists, like someone was able to lift me.
OSTC student holding styrofoam cups that were decorated by peers as a classroom activity; these cups will be crushed under the pressure of the ocean, creating a fun souvenir for campers. Image courtesy of Jessi A. James. Download larger version (jpg, 5.1 MB).
OSTC is offered June 24th-28th, and the Marine Education Center will be broadcasting a second telepresence event on Saturday, June 29, to get the public involved with this one-of-kind opportunity to virtually experience missions aboard the vessel.
