It is a busy time at OECI as we prepare for upcoming expeditions in a matter of weeks and plan activities that extend well into 2025 and beyond. The effort to set the course for future activities is wonderful because it reveals the effective and enjoyable collaboration between OECI affiliates, NOAA Ocean Exploration, as well as other federal and academic partners. It’s a reminder that we all have incredible experience and knowledge as individuals and organizations to contribute. It is the willingness to learn from and work with our colleagues and collaborators that produces the best results. To come full circle, this reflects on the collaborative merging of expertise that is required for a successful ocean exploration expedition. I want to thank everyone for being great contributors and appreciate what a collaborative enterprise ocean exploration is.

Deepest Regards, Adam

Nautilus 2024 Season Kickoff!

In 2024, E/V Nautilus will conduct ten expeditions that will map and explore deep-sea habitats throughout the Eastern, Central and Western Pacific. 

We will host our 2024 Season Kickoff Webinar on Wednesday, May 8 from 3-4 pm ET, during which we will provide an overview of the science objectives of 2024 expeditions, as well as outline the planning process for each mission. We encourage researchers from all disciplines and career levels to attend this introductory webinar, and learn how to participate in the planning and implementation of E/V Nautilus expeditions as Scientists Ashore.

Register for the webinar here.

2024 Ocean Explorer Program

In March, Meagan Gary (University of Southern Mississippi) and Dr. Osagie Idehen (Tuskegee University) spoke to eight classes at Tuskegee University about opportunities associated with the Ocean Explorer program, including the upcoming 2024 summer Ocean Explorer internships and events facilitated by Tuskegee University's Ocean Exploration Club. During this trip, The Ocean Exploration Club facilitated a shark dissection, reaching over 35 students. 

This summer's 2024 Ocean Explorer internship program is in the final stages of matching ten students with their prospective internship opportunities at the University of Southern Mississippi. Over the summer, interns will work closely with their research mentor on a research project. On August 9th, interns will present their research findings in a conference-quality presentation. If you're interested in supporting the Ocean Explorer interns and virtually attending these presentations, contact Meagan Gary at meagan.gary@usm.edu.

SeaPerch and RoboSub 2024 Competitions

OECI will have a presence at both the SeaPerch and RoboSub underwater robotics competitions coming up this spring and summer. The SeaPerch competition is May 31-June 1 in College Park, Maryland, and is a competition for middle and high school aged students.

The RoboSub ROV competition is in Irvine, California, from August 5-11 and is a competition for technical high school students and undergraduate students. OECI will have an exhibit at the RoboSub ROV competition from August 8-9. If you have any opportunities, programs, or early career positions that you want to share this is an excellent opportunity to promote these opportunities.

If you are interested in participating or volunteering at either of these events, please contact Tara Hicks Johnson at tjohnson@ccom.unh.edu for more information.

B2OE students presenting project updates during the March Lunch and Learn and Resume Building Workshop.

The students are working independently or in pairs with URI mentors on a variety of projects including efforts in ocean engineering and marine technology fabrication, coral research, machine learning, web design, 3D animation, and media production. The program is now over half way complete, as students are engaged during the academic year (November - May). In addition to their projects, the students participate in monthly, “lunch and learn” networking events, where they provide updates on their projects, ask questions, and help collaboratively solve challenges. Following this, the students have a focused discussion on a topic; for example, in March, Audra Lavoie with URI’s Center for Career and Experiential Education (for the College of Environmental Life Sciences) provided a comprehensive resume workshop for the students, and they then had professional headshots taken in the Inner Space Center (ISC) Studio. The students also had a tour of the RV Endeavor and gained first-hand perspective on the different spaces of an oceanographic research vessel as well as the different roles onboard that are required for a successful expedition. In April, the students had an opportunity to visit with scientists, engineers, marine technicians, and other personnel at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), tour the Ocean Class Research Vessel, Neil Armstrong, and visit the Ocean Observations Initiative facilities.

Another highlight of the B2OE program is the virtual Blue Economy Career Exploration Fair, which allows undergraduate and graduate students to connect with Blue Economy (BE) sector representatives in an informal way. The event is run through Zoom, and after a set of quick, introductory presentations, small breakout groups are formed with each sector representative connected to a group of participants for 12-15 minutes. After which time, the presenters rotate to the next group. These “speed dating sessions” have been a useful way for participants to learn about the different BE career paths available and skills needed, as well as potential internship and fellowship opportunities. This year, two 2.5-hour events were hosted, with 5-6 different sector representatives in each session (spanning fields from marinas and harbors and marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, to the U.S. Coast Guard, ocean science, and offshore wind). Hosting two online events afforded greater flexibility for presenters and participants. Over 120 individuals registered for the 2024 Career Exploration Fair (half of which were graduate students or upper level undergraduates), with 40+ participants across both events (many participated in both sessions). Exit survey results showed that after the event, 95% of respondents indicated they had a better understanding of the Blue Economy and the variety of career options available (a key goal of the career fair, as well as the B2OE program). Additionally, 90% of the respondents said they would attend a future BE career event, and 90% said they would recommend the event to a friend. New this year, certificates of participation are being given to those individuals who request them; 80% of survey respondents have indicated they would like a certificate.

Welcome, Dr. Jessica Gwinn!

Prior to her position with NOAA Ocean Exploration, Jesse was a 2023 Knauss Marine Policy Fellow working within NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR’s) Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program (GOMO) to support projects to build capacity for ocean and climate observations in the Federated States of Micronesia. Jesse co-led the development of the Pacific Islands Women in Ocean Sciences Fellowship Program and supported communications for the entire GOMO Program by developing stories, website content, and outreach materials to summarize GOMO activities and accomplishments. We look forward to collaborating with Jesse across all of the OECI’s engagement activities!

NOAAs Ocean Exploration's 2023 Annual Report

NOAA's 2023 Annual Report has been published! Take a look to see what happened in the world of ocean exploration in 2023.

Call for Input: NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer 2024 Hawai’i, Line Islands, and Clarion Clipperton Zone Expeditions

As part of their community-driven exploration model, NOAA Ocean Exploration invites you to submit exploration recommendations for mapping  and remotely operated vehicle (ROV)  operations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer off of the Hawaiian Islands.

While the preferred deadline has passed, exploration recommendations will still be solicited throughout the field season. Find more information on the Call for Input here.

Schmidt Ocean Institute Expression of Interest

Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) is soliciting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for collaborative, multidisciplinary research at any time and for any location and year identified as an area of operation for R/V Falkor (too). EOIs and full proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed twice per year. Investigators may request R/V Falkor (too)’s full berthing allotment for science in an EOI or may be partnered with additional projects at the full proposal stage to maximize the use of the vessel.

Find submission details here! The deadline for submission is September 30, 2024.

Job Opportunity - NOAA OMAO

The Uncrewed Systems Operations Center in OMAO is hiring a ZA3/4 Project Coordinator to join our team in Silver Spring, MD to lead project coordination and management for a major extramural program to advance NOAA's uncrewed systems capabilities. 

The job closes on May 15, 2024.

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/788843600

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/788843700

Job Opportunities - National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation just announced new job opportunities. See postings and info here!