U.S.V.I. Teachers Take a Deep Dive on Ocean Exploration
U.S.V.I. Educators at the Exploring the Deep Ocean With NOAA workshop.
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, U.S. Virgin Islands teachers were invited to join a full-day, in-person professional development workshop titled: Exploring the Deep Ocean With NOAA.
Hosted by VI-EPSCoR and Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS), Ms. Suraida Nanez-James, an educator contracted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), presented the training to twenty-seven K-12 teachers from across the territory. The workshop explored how and why we explore the ocean and the tools and technologies that drive how we conduct expeditions into some of the most remote places on the planet. Teachers of biology, social studies, marine biology, arts and math, among other subjects, received lesson plans and fact sheets and, engaged in hands-on activities all designed to be shared in the classroom and adapted to different age groups and subjects.
"These workshops present educators with a rare opportunity to put themselves in the place of their students and reinforce their passion for learning.” Stated VI-EPSCoR’s Informal Learning lead Jarvon Stout, “We hope to use this partnership with NOAA to set the standard for these kinds of hands-on and immersive experiences for VI educators and their students."
Challenging the Teachers
Why Do We Explore the Deep Ocean?
Although most of the Earth - a whopping 70% - is covered by ocean, most of it - more than 80% - remains unmapped. In contrast, 100% of the surface of Mars has been charted. The ocean therefore remains a vast unexplored mystery. Some of the reasons we need to continue to explore the deep seas include climate dynamics (the ocean plays an important role in transporting heat, oxygen and nutrients), energy (the ocean is a source of renewable and non-renewable energy), health (many of the medicines we rely on today come from the natural sources), ocean health (the ocean is the largest habitat on Earth yet we understand so little), research (ocean exploration presents unique challenges), innovation (exploring the ocean means going to some of the most uninhabitable places on Earth) maritime heritage (shipwrecks!) and ocean literacy (inspiring future generations).
In their first challenge, teachers worked in groups and were tasked with brainstorming reasons why scientists engage in ocean exploration, then they competed to be the first group to correctly match two facts with each of eight reasons we explore the ocean.
“The training was indeed beneficial! I was impressed with the detailed knowledge provided by our presenter. Another welcoming surprise was being introduced to UVI’s very own gliders which are used to track and analyze data on whales and dolphins. The technology provided caters to students and teachers interested in coding, signals, and commands and how it works in real time. Thank you for the opportunity!”
Bathymetric Maps (Sea Floor Mapping)
Bathymetric seafloor mapping helps us understand the ocean floor's depth and features. By using advanced technologies like sonar and satellite images, scientists collect data that reveals underwater habitats, navigation routes, and geological activities. This information is crucial for managing marine resources effectively.
During the workshop participants had the unique opportunity to use “sonar” rods to measure the depth and contours of a simulated underwater mountain range. This hands-on experience not only showcased the principles of bathymetric mapping but empowered the participants to take this lesson into the classroom.
Using Chemistry to Find Hydrothermal Vents
Deep beneath the ocean’s surface, hydrothermal vents emerge from the ocean floor, releasing heated, mineral-laden water along mid-ocean ridges. These remarkable fissures harbor vibrant ecosystems teeming with life forms that thrive on chemosynthesis instead of the more familiar process of photosynthesis. By examining the physical and chemical properties of water samples taken from various depths of the ocean, researchers can deduce whether those samples originated from the vicinity of a hydrothermal vent.
In an exciting hands-on activity, participants were tasked with deciphering the unique temperature and chemical signatures of these “samples”, unveiling the hidden environments from which they were drawn. Their findings were recorded and charted, shedding light on the interplay of chemistry in this mysterious ecosystem.
Underwater Robotics
Underwater robotics harnesses modern technology to explore and study the mysteries of the ocean and, the underwater robotics lesson was a group favorite! It began with a tour of the UVI Ocean Glider Lab and a presentation of a G3 Slocum Glider by Master of Marine and Environmental Science candidate Joshua Soll. Then, teachers were challenged to engineer a robotic arm that could be remotely operated. This hands-on experience not only sparked creativity and problem-solving but also emphasized the critical role of engineering in marine science. Participants collaborated in groups to design a simple prototype.
Reflecting on the workshop Howard Forbes, Jr., VIMAS director stated "Our partnership with NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration started back in 2021 when these workshops were being conducted virtually which was a challenging time to maintaining participant attention and engagement. Fast forward now to 2025, we have the opportunity to resume in-person workshops and with NOAA's support, we were able to equip USVI educators with the tools necessary to bring ocean exploration into their classrooms. The hope is that this and future educator workshops will help to bring innovative teaching strategies into the hands of teachers who can then empower youth to pursue careers in STEM."
We appreciate Ms. Suraida Nanez-James for her engaging and knowledgeable presentations and to the dedicated U.S.V.I. teachers who shared their Saturday with us all with the goal of bringing this advanced knowledge to our young students. We can’t wait to hear how the training has helped students in the classrooms.