DIVERSITY
Many Learning Pathways in the Ocean Sciences
People

Program Description
COSEE-Ocean Systems, the Institute for Broadening Participation (IBP), and COSEE Ocean Learning Communities have developed the Many Learning Pathways in the Ocean Sciences webinar series which features online presentations from ocean and climate scientists paired with education scientists from across the country. The series highlights scientists making significant contributions in their fields and serves as a forum for sharing successful strategies for increasing diversity in the ocean sciences community.

 People
 
In this series, the presenters discuss their science, their experiences as an under-represented minority in a science field, and/or their experience providing mentorship to under-represented minorities using concept maps as a base. Presentation videos, concept maps, and resources are provided below.

Pathways of Support. This webinar, featuring ocean scientist Dr. Christina de la Rocha, focuses on the often changing and winding path that can be taken to get to a career in ocean science, and how to meet those challenges.

Mentoring. How important is having and finding a mentor to success in academia? What are some ways to be a good mentor and encourage participation from underrepresented students in the sciences? Dr. Brian Bingham shares his stories of mentoring, as well as an invitation to explore other mentoring resources.

Sustained Mentoring Communities. Find out some of the effective ways to build a supported community of scientific mentors for scientists-in-training from underrepresented audiences, where education of both the mentor and mentee is emphasized.

Graduate Student Education & Outreach. Creating "communities of practice" with his education and outreach efforts, graduate student Lonnie Gonsalves walks us through his experiences working to bring together graduate and undergraduate students in the aquatic sciences to work meaningfully with underrepresented K-12 students in a variety of settings and programs. Lonnie deomonstrates how graduate students can be a powerful force to broaden participation and reduce barriers to under-represented students in the sciences.

Applying for Summer Research. Liv Detrick and Chris Cash from the Institute for Broadening Participation (IBP) guided participants through a concept map-based presentation highlighting a variety of information and tips that can help students to get started on or enhance their applications. Veterans of paid summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) and NASA summer internships were also on hand to provide first-hand insights into their recent research opportunities.

Paying for Graduate School. This webinar includes tips for finding and applying to graduate programs, an overview of different types of funding (including internship and fellowship opportunities) as well as strategies for application.

Transitioning from 2-Year Colleges to A Career in Ocean Science. This webinar is specifically intended to explore the many career pathways available in ocean science, with an emphasis on strategies for transitioning from two to four year college programs in ocean sciences. Students in many different "core" disciplines can learn about opportunities that they can transition to as their education progresses.

Postdoc Webinar Series. These webinars focus on what happens after graduate school ends - and the pathway to post doctoral research positions. The first webinar, featuring IBP director Dr. Ashanti Johnson and two guest speakers, provides advice for searching for positions, and making the decision to take a postdoc position. The second webinar, also lead by Dr. Johnson features resources for negotiating when accepting a position.

Resources
Frequently Asked Questions

COSEE Centers
COSEE-Ocean Systems, with a team of researchers and other experts from the University of Maine, New England Aquarium, and the Institute for Broadening Participation, was established to implement several integrated activities, each designed to improve COSEE's impact on rural and inland communities.

COSEE Ocean Learning Communities has built a community of scientists, marine volunteer organizations, formal and informal educators and interested citizens to form an ocean learning community. Join the community and get help with science outreach, request a scientist to speak to your organization or classroom, learn abut current ocean and marine science, or how to connect with other program leaders, volunteers and educators to to learn more about your ocean community.

Contact Information
Annette deCharon
 Annette deCharon
 School of Marine Sciences
 University of Maine