'Ship to Shore' Outreach Event on DP11

During our most recent research cruise (DP11), DEEPEND member and Ph.D. candidate, Lisa Rose-Mann (University of South Florida), organized a special outreach event called “Ship to Shore” that connected elementary students directly with our scientists at sea.  

Lisa is a fellow from the Clam Bayou Ocean Science Program for Research, Education, and Youth (CB-OSPREY), which is a marine education initiative organized by the USF College of Marine Science and the City of St. Petersburg. As a part of this program, Lisa serves as a classroom scientist for Pinellas County, helping to bring science into the classroom through the Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environmental (GLOBE) Program. The GLOBE program helps to introduce hands-on learning into the classroom, allowing students to learn about Earth systems through collecting and analyzing real environmental data. 

Image 1: Lisa Rose-Mann abroad the R/V Point Sur during the DP11 cruise. 

The "Ship to Shore” event provided students with a unique behind-the-sciences look at life on a research vessel. During the event, Lisa introduced students to the DEEPEND consortium, explaining how our research on these cruises helps scientists better understand deep-pelagic systems. Students also had the opportunity to meet with several scientists on the DP11 cruise, including Dr. Tammy Frank, Dr. Isabel Romero, Ph.D. Candidate Ian Areford, Dr. Jon Moore, and Dr. Heather Bracken-Grissom. Each scientist talked about their research background and what it’s like living on a research vessel. 

Image 2: PowerPoint slide from the ‘Ship to Shore’ outreach event showcasing Dr. Tammy Frank, one of the scientists participating in the cruise. 

Image 3: Dr. Heather Bracken-Grimsson showing a shrimp collected during the cruise while discussing her DNA research. 

During the event, students learned a wide range of scientific disciplines, ranging from the importance of taxonomy to how genetic research has helped us understand these organisms. Our DEEPEND scientists explained the importance of collaborative research efforts to help us learn more about deep-pelagic habitats within the Gulf. 

Image 4: Lisa Rose-Mann (left) and Dr. Jon Moore (right) speaking with the students from the wet lab during the Q & A session. 

By bringing scientists to the classrooms, these programs make marine science more accessible for young audiences in a fun and memorable way. Programs like “Ship to Shore” play an important role in connecting students with active science research and inspiring the next generation of scientists.  

To learn more about the education and outreach initiatives conducted by the DEEPEND Consortium, please visit our website at https://outreach.deependconsortium.org/.