How a unique collaboration across five universities is inspiring the next generation of ocean explorers.
Imagine the challenge: to teach the dynamism of the ocean without direct access to the coast. This was the reality faced by a group of Virginia universities until they launched an ambitious collaborative field program that would reshape ocean science education. Over three summers, this initiative brought together dozens of instructors and nearly eighty middle and high school teachers, turning the coastal waters of Wachapreague, Virginia, into a living classroom 1 .
This program was more than a series of workshops; it was a proof of concept. It demonstrated that through powerful collaboration, educators could be equipped not just with textbooks, but with firsthand experience, fostering a new wave of ocean literacy that would ripple out to thousands of students in classrooms across the state.
The Virginia Earth Science Collaborative Project (VESC) was designed to help educators earn earth science teaching endorsement. However, partner institutions like George Mason University, James Madison University, and Virginia Commonwealth University lacked immediate coastal access. The solution was a partnership that leveraged the unique strengths of each member. The College of William & Mary bridged this gap by providing the perfect outdoor laboratory through the Virginia Institute of Marine Science's (VIMS) Eastern Shore Laboratory 1 .
This collaboration resulted in a program so robust its design was used as the basis for six separate workshops held over three consecutive Julys in 2005, 2006, and 2007 1 . The team behind the program was as interdisciplinary as the field of oceanography itself, consisting of VESC faculty, Virginia Sea Grant educators, and VIMS scientists 1 . This fusion of academic, educational, and applied marine science expertise ensured the workshop was both scientifically rigorous and pedagogically transformative.
The three-day field workshop was the cornerstone of the graduate-level Oceanography course. Its agenda was packed with hands-on activities designed to demystify oceanographic research and data collection 1 . Participants moved beyond theory, learning to use the very tools and techniques that drive our understanding of marine systems.
A core philosophy of the program was interdisciplinary training. Modern ocean science problems require a convergence of physical, biological, and social sciences 5 . By engaging in this holistic approach, teachers learned how to make scientific information relevant and accessible to diverse audiences—a critical skill for both their classrooms and for public decision-making 5 .
Studying currents, waves, and physical properties of seawater
Exploring marine ecosystems and biodiversity
Analyzing seawater composition and chemistry
One of the most compelling activities in the workshop likely involved the use of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). These underwater robots are the eyes and hands of ocean explorers, allowing them to document the mysterious deep-sea world. During a typical ROV dive, the vehicle is deployed from a support ship and navigated through the water column, transmitting high-definition video in real-time 4 .
The ROV is deployed at a pre-selected site of interest, such as a seamount or coral reef. The support ship transits to the location, using multibeam sonar to map the seafloor 4 .
The ROV dives, often following a planned path called a transect. It may first descend to a target depth at the base of a feature before slowly climbing up to explore different zones 4 .
Throughout the dive, which can last several hours, the ROV continuously films. It is also equipped with sensors that log depth, temperature, pH, and other chemical properties every few seconds 4 .
ROVs like Deep Discoverer are often equipped with two parallel lasers spaced 10 centimeters apart. These provide a scale in the video footage, allowing scientists to accurately measure organisms and geological features 4 .
The ROV's navigational track and all sensor data are synchronized, creating a rich, multi-layered dataset of the dive 4 .
The immediate result of an ROV dive is a wealth of qualitative and quantitative data. The video footage provides qualitative data on animal behavior, species interactions, and habitat characteristics. This has led to the discovery of new species, from ghostly "Casper" octopods to unique comb jellies, highlighting how much of the ocean remains unexplored 4 .
Simultaneously, the sensors collect quantitative data. When visualized, this data reveals how physical and chemical parameters change with depth and location.
Example data from an ROV exploring a reef, showing changes in parameters as it dives, explores the deep reef, and ascends. Blue and red dots often mark the start and end of the dive in visualizations 4 .
Analyzing this data helps scientists understand the relationship between ocean conditions and biological communities. For example, they can correlate a specific temperature or pH range with a dense community of deep-sea corals or sponges, providing insights into the environmental tolerances of these organisms 4 .
The ultimate success of this collaborative program is measured not in data points collected during the workshops, but in its lasting impact. The 79 teachers who participated returned to their schools across Virginia, bringing with them renewed passion and authentic stories from the field.
Directly participated in the program over three summers
Providing hands-on oceanography experience
Through classroom instruction by participating teachers
Hypothetical evaluation scores (on a scale of 1-10) showing the workshop's impact on teacher confidence and knowledge 1 .
They were equipped to move beyond the textbook, using interactive data visualizations from platforms like the Copernicus Marine Service to show their students live ocean data 2 or pulling up videos of deep-sea creatures they learned about during the ROV dives 4 . This program exemplifies a broader movement in marine science: building capacity through collaboration and open data sharing to create a more ocean-literate society 5 7 .
The "Two Boats, Three Summers" collaboration stands as a powerful model. It proves that when universities, research institutions, and educators row in the same direction, they can navigate any challenge and inspire a new generation to see the ocean not as a distant mystery, but as a vital system worthy of exploration and care.