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NOAA Ocean Exploration, in collaboration with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, developed a mini-grant program to support diverse learners from underserved and underrepresented communities in engaging in various ocean exploration careers and build the capacity for STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Ocean Exploration Grants (previously called Ocean Exploration Education Mini-Grants) are available to educators working to bring ocean science and exploration to their students and reduce barriers to the field. These grants funded up to $25,000 to each of the seven projects that received the award. These projects aimed to build a more equitable ocean exploration workforce pipeline. In total, the inaugural year of the DEIA Ocean Exploration Education Grants program supported ocean literacy, stewardship, and workforce development opportunities for 876 K-12 students, 91 college students, and 66 educators from historically marginalized communities across the United States.
"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."
The next round of DEIA Grant funding will offer up to $20,000 to each successful applicant and will be granted in the first six months of 2023. Previous grantees will also be able to apply for an additional $7,500 to support furthering the impact of their projects.
"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 2022 Ocean Exploration Grantees below!
Na Wa'a Mauo Marine Stewardship Program offsite link
Native Hawaiian students are underrepresented in STEAM ocean sciences, and educators in Hawaiian language immersion programs severely lack STEAM education resources to train future scientists. This project aimed to address this issue by creating a Hawaiian language and culture-based STEAM educational package and bringing this content to classrooms through teacher connections. It integrated Native Hawaiian worldviews on ocean literacy, stewardship, and kuleana (responsibility) to develop the future workforce.
Black in Marine Science
To help increase diversity in ocean science fields, Black in Marine Science (BIMS) developed a week-long immersive learning opportunity in south Florida for seven black undergraduate students from across the country. The BIMS Immersion Program week included SCUBA training and certification, tours of marine science research centers, and hands-on research, restoration, and conservation activities.
Mystic Aquarium
The Mystic Aquarium created an Ocean Exploration Adventure for 200 eighth grade students and their five teachers from under-resourced schools in Cranston, Rhode Island. Their project included professional development training for the educators, new curriculum and materials, and field trips designed to increase students’ interest in understanding ocean exploration and potentially pursuing a career in the field. They eventually received additional funding and expanded into a project that provided the experience to 520 students and 25 educators.
State University of New York Geneseo
This project supported efforts to increase diverse representation in the STEAM workforce. The Undergraduate Deep-sea Research Capacity Building with Training for Underrepresented Groups project supported three State University of New York Geneseo undergraduate students in a semester-long research experience using remotely operated vehicle video data from NOAA Ocean Exploration. The project also created several seminars and student professional development workshops to share resources and strategies for entering marine science or STEAM workforce, further strengthening connections between diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts and the STEAM opportunities.
University of Delaware: Delaware Sea Grant offsite link
Delaware Sea Grant and the University of Delaware developed the Building Ocean Literacy Through Hands-on Ocean Exploration project which featured a series of student and teacher professional development opportunities to engage in marine science. Underserved students from Wilmington, Delaware, explored the ocean like they never have before — conducting water quality sampling and otter trawling. Teachers from around the state developed confidence in teaching marine science content through hands-on experiences, including a research cruise aboard the University of Delaware’s Research Vessel Joanne Daiber.
University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science offsite link
Ocean Explorers is an immersive field trip that was hosted at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science for middle and high school students from under-resourced schools in Miami, Florida. A total of 15 engaging stations helped excite students about ocean exploration science and conservation. Students learned how to become stewards for their local marine environment and envision their path to an advanced degree by interacting with university students and faculty volunteers.
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California created the Increasing DEI Participation in STEM Careers: Training Scientific SCUBA Divers program to address the financial barrier of marine research gear and skills, like diving, that limits students from underserved and underrepresented communities from entering the field. The project, hosted on Catalina Island, supported six students from historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving universities in advanced diving training and American Academy of Underwater Sciences certification. Students also participated in campus professional development days to learn about current marine science research and career opportunities.
Dive into the DEIA Ocean Exploration Education Grants StoryMap offsite link to learn more!
