The STEM workforce is crucial to the U.S. health and economy, yet retention rates in STEM fields are poor and the Geoscience community in particular is faced with a looming workforce shortage. The Geoscience community continues to lack the diversity of the population at large. The STEMSEAS project is an NSF-funded initiative aimed at addressing these issues. STEMSEAS takes advantage of unused berthing capacity available during transits between expeditions on the federally funded research vessel network, the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS). These short (~5-12 day) transits offer a mobile classroom setting where undergraduate non-STEM, undecided-STEM, and geoscience majors can be exposed to geoscience professional practice and career exploration. During Spring and Summer 2016, undergraduates will sail on one of three different transits aboard state-of-the art research vessels. Students over the age of 18 who are enrolled in 2- or 4-year institutions who are interested in STEM fields but are unsure of their exact direction are encouraged to apply. Students from traditionally under-represented communities in STEM are also strongly encouraged to apply, as are those pursuing degrees in art, journalism, film studies, English and pre-law.
If accepted, all expenses are paid by the program.
For more information, including program dates and ports, and to apply, visit www.usoceandiscovery.org/stemseas.
Deadline to apply is February 19, 2016
*Image ©James R Wilkinson/SIO-CalCOFI