The School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has recently been highlighted in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Trash Free Waters publication. The article discussed a week-long student cruise that integrates science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), and the blue economy. Dr. Jennifer Walker, associate dean for Coastal Operations in the College of Arts and Sciences, leads this annual cruise aboard the R/V Point Sur to prepare students for careers in the blue economy.
Dr. Walker expressed her hopes of continuing and fostering the partnership with EPA to positively impact students’ lives. SOSE collaborates with EPA to conduct fieldwork in the Gulf of Mexico, providing students with an immersive experience that helps them transition to internships and explore potential job opportunities and career paths. Dr. Huy Vu, an EPA researcher, participated in one of Dr. Walker’s student cruises to gain insights into life aboard a research vessel.
The experience and research conducted on the cruise offer valuable learning opportunities for students interested in research and coastal sustainability. The Gulf of Mexico’s proximity offers a myriad of possibilities for participants to engage in life-changing experiences such as diving into crystal clear waters to study marine life or mapping underwater habitats using sonar technology.
To learn more about this article featured on page four or how you can get involved with SOSE’s blue economy initiatives, visit their website today!