Virtual Student Conference—July 16, 2020
2020 NMEA Virtual Student Conference
Date: July 16, 2020
Time: 8:00-11:00am Hawaii Time / 2:00-5:00pm Eastern Time
The conference was open to full-time students, ages 13 and up. Any full-time student, age 13 and up, could participate, but the schedule focused on students ages 13-20.
Schedule
8:00-8:15am HT / 2:00-2:15pm ET
Welcome—Sean Russell and Kathy Fuller, NMEA Student Engagement Committee Co-Chairs
Mentimeter Word Cloud—What does the ocean mean to you?
8:15-8:45 HT / 2:15-2:45 ET
Kalani Quiocho
Invited Speaker—Kalani Quiocho, Graduate Student at the University of Hawai’i and Cultural Advisor for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Understanding yourself can have an ocean of influence: a body of water, heritage, identity
Kalani Quiocho was born on the island of Hawaiʻi and raised in part by his great-grandparents who were traditional Hawaiian medicinal healers. As a young Native Hawaiian, Kalani was fascinated by people and places, and the unique relationships among them. He has since committed himself to marine conservation and the Indigenous contributions to local and global efforts. Kalani will share his journey with culture, science, and education that led to inclusive and collaborative relationships for environmental and social stewardship. Currently, Kalani works for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and serves as the Native Hawaiian Program Specialist for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the largest protected area in the United States and the only mixed natural and cultural UNESCO World Heritage site in the country.
8:45-9:30 HT / 2:45-3:30 ET
Career Panel—Facilitated by Hannah MacDonald, NMEA Student Engagement Committee Member and Education Specialist for the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation
Panelists:
Carlee Jackson
Carlee Jackson, Graduate Student at Nova Southeastern University and Marine Turtle Specialist at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Florida
Originally from Detroit, MI, Carlee moved to Florida and received her Bachelors of Science in Biology at Florida Atlantic University in 2016. Ever since she read her first book on sharks at 6 years old, she has been obsessed with learning more about these animals. Currently, she is a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Marine Biology at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Her research thesis is titled, “Examining the effects of provisioning tourism on nurse sharks in Caye Caulker, Belize.” She is also a Marine Turtle Specialist at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, conducting sea turtle nesting surveys along Boca Raton beaches, as well as assisting with medical procedures and husbandry in the sea turtle rehabilitation center. In her free time Carlee enjoys SCUBA diving and snorkeling at nearby reefs.
Patty Miller
Patty Miller, Education Coordinator, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Hawai’i
Patty Miller is the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary's Education and Outreach Coordinator. She has been with the Sanctuary program for 15 years developing education and outreach programs for both adults and students. Patty began her career teaching in the public schools and also produced and taught a live science program called "KidScience" for PBS. Today, with social distancing and staying home, Patty is back to creating virtual science programming for students.
Celeste Parry
Celeste Parry, Graduate Student at Miami University and Animal Records & Clinical Research Supervisor for the National Marine Mammal Foundation, California
Celeste Parry currently manages the Outreach Team for the National Marine Mammal Foundation. Celeste graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2009 with both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in marine biology. Before joining the NMMF, she worked as a research associate for the Center for Marine Veterinary Virology at the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. In this position, she used a variety of molecular methods to discover and diagnose viral diseases in dolphins and sea lions. Celeste has always been passionate about teaching. While at UCSD she was a surf instructor, TA for biology classes at UCSD, and a volunteer in the education department at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. She is currently enrolled in a Masters of Arts program in Teaching Biological Sciences through Miami University and San Diego Zoo Global.
Lindsay Young, Graduate Student at San Francisco State University, California
Lindsay Young
Lindsay is a graduate student at San Francisco State University's Estuary and Ocean Science Center. She is studying changes in harbor porpoise nutrition during ocean warming events. Lindsay previously taught high school chemistry and worked with the Monterey Bay Aquarium to provide research opportunities for high school students in Santa Cruz County, California. She is dedicated to increasing scientific literacy in coastal communities and provided academic mentorship to underrepresented students in STEM.
9:30-10:30 HT / 3:30-4:30 ET
Student Presentations
Ananya and Arpita, High School Students, Ontario, Canada
The Real Cost of Fashion
In order to tackle the issue of single-use plastics and fast fashion, Ananya, Arpita, and their team created SimplyLotus, an upcoming, youth-led company that turns gently-used textiles into reusable bags. Fast fashion has a big impact on the oceans through the processes of growing natural fibres like cotton using pesticides and processing the fibres with large amounts of toxic dyes. These toxins enter our waterways which is detrimental to the marine ecosystem. The presenters will raise awareness for this undermined issue caused by fast fashion, go over what they do as a company to combat this issue, their sustainable production procedures, and how those interested can become involved.
A.J., High School Student, Massachusetts
The Green Crab Crisis
A.J. studies at Maritime Gloucester annually through generous grants to O’Maley Innovation Middle School’s - O’Maley Academy. This past fall, he continued his education regarding the invasive “Green Crab Crisis”. He will present on Maritime Gloucester’s and his efforts to monitor and develop management practices locally.
Madi, High School Student, Oregon
Caffeine VS. Chlamydomonas Algae Species: Would Chlamydomonas algae be a good solution for absorbing caffeine in freshwater?
Madi is a youth volunteer at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and has completed a project in Marine Engineering. Her research was to determine if Chlamydomonas algae is capable of absorbing caffeine (at levels equal to Puget Sound, Washington) and to explore the possibility of it being put into freshwater with high caffeine levels to reduce the amount of caffeine runoff into said waterways. She will share her inspiration for the project, background, materials, procedure, impact, including data results, analysis, and future research.
Kadin and Ryan, Middle School Students, Massachusetts
Boat Launch and Landing Marine Debris Tracker Clean-up Project
Kadin and Ryan are members of the Sea Scouts Ship 5 - Gloucester, who are tracking marine debris. In 2017, Ship 5 collaborated with the Gloucester Harbormaster developing a program based on skill level, comfort and responsibility. The shipmates manage clean ups, track rubbish in hopes of determining where it comes from, and develop how to prevent it in the future.
10:30-11:00 HT / 4:30-5:00 ET
Closing Activity/Networking—Facilitated by members of the NMEA Student Engagement Committee