COSEE has sought to increase diversity within the ocean sciences through Network, Council, and Center activities. Diversity is part of the COSEE strategic business plan, the Diversity Working Group is one of several committees of the COSEE Network, and diversity has been a topic in COSEE Council and Network meetings.
Increasing the number and diversity of students who successfully pursue careers in Ocean Sciences is key to addressing the growing demand for professionals in our fields who genuinely understand and make a contribution to cutting edge research. Summer research programs for undergraduates play a critical role in this process by creating environments in which students can develop the strategies and professional skills necessary to pursue meaningful careers in various STEM fields and by supporting students as they “bridge” between undergraduate and graduate studies.
COSEE-West’s online workshops focus on bridging ocean science research and education and promoting collaborations among ocean scientists, K-12 teachers and informal educators. They provide a venue for scientists to share their research and expertise with educators, who reach an even broader audience of students and public. Educators question, give feedback, and share expertise in classroom application of science.
Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) Observatory, comprised of VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada cabled networks, supports transformative science in coastal and deep sea ecosystems. It enables interactive experiments focused on ocean health, energy resources, natural hazards, and marine conservation for international research collaborations.
Maryland Sea Grant strives to provide students from underrepresented groups in marine science opportunities to participate in its NSF-supported Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in estuarine science. While women dominate the applicant/accepted student pool, we are testing different strategies to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in our program.
The COSEE network is driven by its goals of developing effective broader impacts of ocean science and integrating cutting-edge ocean research into educational programs and activities. This workshop was a first step at sharing best practices between two significant countries in a field (science education) that has not traditionally shared all its learning through peer-reviewed literature.
The Association of Polar Early Careers Scientists (APECS) is an organization for undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early career faculty members and educators with interests in Polar Regions. APECS developed during the 4th International Polar Year (IPY 2007-2008) with the primary objectives of stimulating interdisciplinary and international research collaboration and developing effective future leaders in polar research, education and outreach.
The COSEE Florida Ocean Science Learning Network takes advantage of the abundance of high quality informal education centers across the state. The community-based centers have proven to be ideal venues for connecting ocean scientists to local audiences, including collaborations with educators, because of their well established school and public outreach programs.