Ocean Expert Exchange: Live Engagements with Marine Scientists in Support of Distance Learning and Ocean Literacy

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing need for flexible but engaging remote learning opportunities, ANGARI Foundation and the University of Florida Thompson Earth Systems Institute’s Scientist in Every Florida School (SEFS) program have joined forces to bring a series of live interactive webinar events with marine scientists to students, teachers, and the public. The livestream events are available via Zoom and Facebook Live and welcome participants of all ages. During each Ocean Expert Exchange (OEE) segment, a featured marine scientist presents briefly on their area of expertise followed by a question and answer session with viewers. Viewers are able to submit their questions via platform chat boxes. Following the live event, recordings of the segment will be made available via YouTube. 

Events in the spring OEE series took place approximately every two weeks from April through June. All of the featured scientists have participated in research expeditions with ANGARI Foundation aboard the research vessel ANGARI, making additional information on their scientific research and fieldwork available through R/V ANGARI’s expedition pages. Access to recordings and associated educational content for the spring OEE events is available via the banners below. The spring webinars drew diverse audiences including youth and adult learners alike from 21 states and 26 countries. The popularity and success of the spring OEE program points to its continuation in the Fall of 2020 and we encourage interested parties to stay tuned for future updates.

Past Events on YouTube

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For educators looking to integrate the OEE marine science segments into their lessons, supporting educational resources, including short videos, readings, and web-based interactivities are also available for each topic.

About Scientist in Every Florida School

Scientist in Every Florida School (SEFS) is a free program housed within the Thompson Earth Systems Institute at the University of Florida. The SEFS program connects and builds long-term partnerships between teachers and scientists in order to bring current scientific research and big data into classrooms in Florida and beyond. For more information visit the SEFS program webpage.

About ANGARI Foundation

ANGARI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation established in 2016 and headquartered in West Palm Beach, FL. The Foundation is dedicated to creating a global community that is interested, knowledgeable and invested in marine and environmental sciences by directly supporting research initiatives that foster a greater trust and dialogue between scientists and the public. ANGARI Foundation uses innovative technology, film and other media to raise awareness and strengthen science education. Many of the Foundation’s primary initiatives involve R/V ANGARI, a 65-foot vessel that serves as an exceptional research and education platform. For more information visit www.angari.org.