EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AT SEA: REFLECTIONS OF STUDENT SCIENTISTS

A multi-institutional GEOPATHs project that included shipboard oceanographic research was designed to inspire, train, and retain diverse students toward careers in the geosciences through experiential research at sea and in the laboratory. Three 4-day and nine 12-hour research voyages aboard four UNOLS research vessels comprised the foundation of the multi-year field research program. We engaged >180 undergraduate students, targeting undecided majors and pre-service teachers, and funded some students in full-time mentored summer research internships. Based on student reflections and surveys we found that the program’s immersive research experiences provided students with more confidence, skills and knowledge, career templates and pathways, and a better understanding of geoscience and STEM research. The research focused on seafloor sediments to understand environmental changes over time and to assess the responses of living and fossil foraminifera to changes benthic conditions. We present here a focus on experiences of two undergraduate students from California State University of Bakersfield whose reflections and self-described impacts typified participants who worked together at sea with research teams of scientists, technicians, graduate students, and student peers from the University of San Diego, Oklahoma State University, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.