New partnership invites black students to explore the high seas
Members of HBCU Cruises, left to right: Jon Lewis, Reginald Archer, Dwight Ebanks, Lisa White, Sharon Cooper, Sean Derica Berry Er, Serge Lichtenwalner on the deck of the R/V Armstrong.Photo: Sharon Cooper
On the morning of January 3rd, faculty members and scientists from various countries Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) boarded RV Armstrong And start to experience nine days of sea life and scientific voyage. From Woods Hole, Massachusetts, to Pensacola, Florida, where they network with the geoscience community and explore opportunities to make the field more accessible to diverse students and educators.
Cruises part of new initiative Onboard Science Technology Engineering and Math Student Experience (STEMSEAS) program. At the heart of the STEMSEAS program is a commitment to attract Background to historically underrepresented geosciences. partnership between Columbia Climate Institute’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatorythis Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Universities – National Marine Laboratory Systemthe program is designed to open up and expand possibilities for students who might not otherwise consider earth sciences or have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of these fields of study.
Launched in 2016, STEMSEAS has been making strides, taking a diverse group of undergraduate students to the high seas, engaging them in earth science and oceanography activities, connecting them with faculty and graduate students, and inviting them to have fun along the way.Co-Principal Investigator and Ramon education and outreach officer Sharon Cooper. However, the program was unsuccessful in attracting significant numbers of African American community members.
“There’s a lack of direct connections. We know that one of the reasons is that many HBCUs don’t have dedicated geoscience departments,” Cooper said. “Of course, that doesn’t mean students don’t have an interest in earth science.” Biology, chemistry, physics and environmental science majors can still get into STEMSEAS, but those students may be less likely to hear about the program, she explained. So she decided to step up her outreach efforts.
During the pandemic, when ship travel was suspended, Cooper and her STEMSEAS colleagues developed a plan to intentionally cast a wider net in partnership with the HBCU.they applied for a Includes funding from the National Science Foundationsecure funding, and move forward with the program.
Eight HBCU professors embark on a journey.they are from Tennessee State University, Coppin State University, Morehouse College, morgan state university, Savannah State University, and Florida A&M University. Also on board was Loretta Williams Gurnell, founder of the SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation– A nonprofit dedicated to supporting underserved girls and women interested in STEM careers.
by posting in STEMSEAS BlogThis first cruise is powerful and instructive.
Gurnell blogged about the experience and asked readers and fellow cruise participants, “Now that you have had the opportunity to understand today’s experiences, opportunities, and context to change our own thinking, biases, and future performance, how can we Connecting to impact or exploring ways to maintain intentionality as we transform educational, commercial, nonprofit and community spaces together for greater sustainability outcomes?”
These are the questions STEMSEAS is designed to inspire.
Shendri Kabriel is an assistant professor of science education in Morgan State University’s School of Education and Urban Studies. She is an Earth Science Education Fellow and will continue to work with the STEMSTEAS program to see if it can create an attitude shift for students. Her research points to three components needed to make this transition happen. One is having practical experience in science, the other is the relevance of science to one’s own life, and the other is the perceived usefulness of science. So far, she’s learned that many HBCU students who love science and are good at it tend to bypass earth sciences and pursue careers in medicine because that’s what they’ve observed in their communities.
“They didn’t see the full opportunity,” Burrell said. “For underrepresented groups, first-generation students or students from extremely poor communities, there is a gap in educational opportunity,” Burrell said. “It’s not an achievement gap. This HBCU/STEMSEAS partnership is another academic pathway that students can explore. They won’t necessarily go into earth sciences, but at least they will have that opportunity.”
She is a firm believer in the importance of engaging diverse people in addressing the sustainability crisis facing society, noting that deep-rooted climate justice question.
“If all groups sat at the dinner table, we wouldn’t have food deserts. We wouldn’t have this disproportionate situation of who is exposed to environmental toxins, whose homes are disproportionately affected by natural disasters or hazards. We A society where all interests and all needs are addressed and sustainable solutions are developed,” Burrell said.
Members of the HBCU embarked on a cruise after successfully launching a water column temperature measurement device to the ship’s aft deck.Photo: Sharon Cooper
Cooper agrees with the importance of a diverse geoscience community. She said the next step is to secure more funding for additional STEMSEAS expeditions. Then, hopefully the January transit will result in a strong cohort of HBCU student and faculty participants.
“I feel like we’ve managed to develop new colleagues. Time will tell,” Cooper said. “But I think [the January cruise] was a great start as we were able to spend time together discussing STEMSEAS and its benefits for students.Some [the HBCU professors] Have applied to be a mentor on an upcoming ship. So that’s exactly what we’re trying to do. Build those relationships and move forward synergistically and make new connections. I hope we will see their students participate in our projects. “
For Cooper, who has spent years working to attract diverse talent to Earth science, the first expedition was particularly moving.
“It was really emotional at the end,” Cooper said. “It’s really amazing because oceanography is very white for whatever reason. When we got a bunch of African-American scientists and faculty on board…in terms of the look of the ship, it’s nothing like I’ve ever seen It was totally different from anything I’ve ever experienced. I was the only white woman in the group. It was a great experience. It was amazing.”
