Expedition 40: Oceanography Camp for Girls

Oceanography Camp for Girls, a program that aims to motivate young women entering high school to explore careers in science, boarded R/V ANGARI for hands-on marine fieldwork in Tampa Bay. This was ANGARI Foundation’s fourth year supporting the camp’s research vessel experience and Oceanography Camp for Girls’ 30th anniversary, marking three decades of inspiring young women to explore the ocean and pursue scientific careers!

Over the three days, 36 campers and 10 science mentors collected samples and data from three sites using a variety of oceanographic research tools and techniques. They sampled seawater using Niskin bottles and seafloor sediments with a Ponar grab sampler. They also took environmental readings with YSI probes, Secchi disks and anemometers, and performed water quality assays in R/V ANGARI’s wet lab. All onboard were able to practice their marine life collection, species identification and documentation skills via plankton tows and otter trawls. The young oceanographers worked together to master each technique, building confidence and breaking down social barriers in a “risk-free” learning environment. Learn more about this year’s camp expedition here.

This expedition also marked an important milestone for ANGARI Foundation as the Foundation celebrated completing its 40th expedition since its founding.

Thank you to the Florida Institute of Oceanography at the USF College of Marine Science for supporting this expedition by providing scientific gear and dockage for R/V ANGARI, and to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for providing the trawl net.