Here at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Marine Education Center (MEC), we are magnifying our effort to introduce young people to ocean science and technology. Through our new Blue Tech Field Days (BTFD), middle- and high-school students from coastal Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana spend a day learning from USM scientists and MEC educators.
Like our Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium partners at Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Mobile County Public Schools Environmental Studies Center in Alabama, the MEC specializes in place-based, experiential learning.
The new BTFD experience focuses on the Blue Economy, which NOAA defines as “a knowledge-based economy, looking to the sea not just for extraction of material goods, but for data and information to address societal challenges and inspire their solutions.” With 40% of the U.S. population living in coastal communities, recreational fishing and tourism are highly visible examples of Blue Economy industries. Additionally, the impacts of shipping, commercial fishing and power generation are felt in the most inland reaches of the country and provide the basis for high-paying STEM jobs.
Aboard the R/V Franks, our mission is to conduct an ecological assessment of the habitat of the endangered smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) south of Deer Island in the Mississippi Sound. We collect weather and water observations and identify organisms present in the water and sediment. Like scientists monitoring restoration of deep water corals in the Flower Garden Banks, we can use this type of information to determine the health of populations and determine how ecosystems might be impacted by future changes.
While on the dock, students use teaching kits to learn about the water chemistry measurements being collected electronically aboard the vessel. We guide them through the interpretation of depth profile data collected continuously from the bottom to the top of the water. A highlight of the day is the demonstration of technology with our guest scientist.
Frequently scientists demonstrate an autonomous surface or underwater vehicle (ASV or AUV). These vehicles carry a variety of sensors to monitor conditions around the world and from the ocean surface to bottom. On March 28, our guest scientist was Dr. Gero Nootz, of USM’s School of Ocean Science and Engineering. He brought his Iver-3, an AUV that can sense the seafloor and make a map to ensure the safety of ships navigating in shallow coastal waters (figure 4). During previous field trips, scientists have deployed a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) and a Z-boat (ASV), and even given students the opportunity to drive the vehicles.
Long-term support from MASGC has enabled the MEC to build vessel-based experiences such as this for teacher-led groups of students. Funds from a private foundation leverage this support to provide the new BTFD experience at no cost to individual students and small groups of students. The next BTFD is coming up on April 18, 2024. Learn more here and tell your friends in middle and high school!
Meet the author
Jessie Kastler, Ph.D.
Director, Marine Education Center
Jessie Kastler leverages Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant funds and grants from other agencies to produce and implement education programs at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research... Read more
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