From March 1 through March 27, 2002, I had the time of my life as NOAA’s latest Teacher at Sea. NOAA has been putting teachers on board fishing and research vessels for years. To date, they’ve sponsored more than 325 Teachers at Sea, most of them for 7 – 10 days, working as scientists doing field research. My experience was rather unique though.

I left San Diego aboard the research vessel Ka’imimoana on March 1st. This was the first time the KA had ever had a Teacher at Sea on board, so they really didn’t know what to expect. During the next 23 days, I was just another scientist or crew member – albeit with her own videographer! My mission was to be an ambassador for education and to bring the work that NOAA does in the Pacific to the world.

I plan to elaborate on the experience and explain to teachers how they, too, can have this experience of a lifetime.