(Clarksville, TN) — Devon Avrigian Jones, a 6th grade Science Instructor from Kirkwood Middle School, has been selected as a 2024 Lead Science Communication Fellow (SCF) and will sail aboard Ocean Exploration Trust’s Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus. Devon will join the team aboard E/V Nautilus for a 26 day expedition in September and into October as they explore and map the seafloor around Howland and Baker Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
This expedition will use the mapping capabilities of E/V Nautilus to acquire high-resolution bathymetry in areas where no or little mapping data exists. Crossing the International Date Line, the team will prioritize seamounts, guyots, ridges, and margins around atolls and islands, supporting priorities of Seabed 2030 and the US National Strategy for Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization. This expedition begins in Pago Pago, American Samoa, and concludes in Koror, Palau.
Devon originally sailed as a Science Communication Fellow during the 2023 Ocean Exploration through Advanced Imaging (NA156) in Hawaiian waters. This year, she is joining the 2024 Nautilus Exploration Program expedition as a lead expedition communicator. Returning Corps of Exploration members, Lead Science Communication Fellows, serve as mentors to the 2024 first-time SCF cohort and are key advisors to the OET Education & Outreach Team. Like first-year Fellows, they are ambassadors for ocean exploration sharing the excitement of exploration and research with students and public audiences in their communities and around the world.
“I am thrilled to embark on a second expedition because it offers the opportunity to delve deeper into uncharted territories..literally!” says teacher and 2024 OET Lead Science Communication Fellow Devon Avrigian Jones. “In addition, I have the opportunity to expand my knowledge of science-related careers, technology, and science itself. All of this transforms into the thrill of teaching and sharing this exploration with students in my classroom and students across the globe.”
Devon is one of thirteen fellows selected nationally this year hailing from schools, science centers, and non-profit organizations across eleven US states and territories. Ocean Exploration Trust (OET), a nonprofit founded by Dr. Robert Ballard which operates with a mission to explore the ocean, seeking out new discoveries while pushing the boundaries of STEAM education and technological innovation. Over 80% of the global ocean remains unmapped in detail and over 90% remains unexplored.
“One of the major goals of our Nautilus Exploration Program is to motivate the next generation of explorers in STEAM fields,” said Allison Fundis, OET’s Chief Operating Officer, “we are very excited to provide educators and students with the direct experience in ocean exploration while allowing them the opportunity to share that experience with their peers around the world.”
Our community and the public can engage with Devon via Nautilus Live, a 24-hour live-streaming web portal bringing expeditions from the field to explorers on shore via telepresence technology at NautilusLive.org and via social media. Devon will participate in daily live audio commentary and question-and-answer sessions through the Nautilus Live website from sea. Ashore, Devon will also engage in various community outreach events and activities throughout the team to engage students and families in learning about the ocean. Local schools can also schedule free, live one-on-one Q&A sessions with explorers on the ship in English or ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).
OET promotes science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) education around the world using the excitement of exploration and innovation to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
“Science Communication Fellows bring expertise as educators and storytellers to work alongside scientists and engineers and make discoveries about the planet. We are proud to elevate these role models for learners, with a particular focus on reaching communities who have been historically marginalized from STEAM and maritime fields”, said Megan Cook, OET’s Director of Education and Outreach.
The OET Science Communication Fellowship brings formal and informal educators onboard to engage students and the public in the wonders of ocean exploration, sharing discoveries from the 2023 mission, as well as aspects of daily life aboard a working exploration vessel. Fellows develop their science communication skills and spend several weeks as a crucial part of the team aboard E/V Nautilus. Fellows bring ocean exploration back to their home communities by incorporating their experience into classroom lesson plans, community presentation events, and informal educational opportunities.
“Real-world science applications are important for students to see and engage,” says Avrigian Jones. “As teachers prepare students to become career and college ready, it is important that we offer them every opportunity available to learn about the wide variety of careers in the field of science. I am so excited and proud to be a part of that.”