VIRGIN ISLANDS: U.S.V.I. Teachers Take a Deep Dive on Ocean Exploration
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, U.S. Virgin Islands teachers were invited to join a full-day, in-person professional development workshop titled: Exploring the Deep Ocean With NOAA.
Hosted by VI-EPSCoR and Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS), Ms. Suraida Nanez-James, an educator contracted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), presented the training to twenty-seven K-12 teachers from across the territory. The workshop explored how and why we explore the ocean and the tools and technologies that drive how we conduct expeditions into some of the most remote places on the planet. Teachers of biology, social studies, marine biology, arts and math, among other subjects, received lesson plans and fact sheets and, engaged in hands-on activities all designed to be shared in the classroom and adapted to different age groups and subjects.
About VI EPSCoR
The overarching vision of VI-EPSCoR is the development of the U.S. Virgin Island’s scientific capacity and its ability to support economic growth. We aim to increase the quality and volume of nationally competitive research and grow a STEM-educated workforce to meet the challenges facing our islands.
We aim to accomplish these goals by strengthening the Territory’s physical and human resources through investments in capacity for marine and environmental research, policy making, education, outreach and, enhanced partnerships between researchers, policy makers, educators, and the broader community. We recognize that the health our marine and environmental ecosystems are of vital importance to a healthy and sustainable future for the Territory.
To accomplish our Vision we conduct research that informs natural resource management decisions; improve research infrastructure; increase student participation in STEM activities; and build community partnerships to leverage NSF investments.