






HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE YOUTH OCEAN EXPLORERS SUMMER PROGRAM
Modeled after the Youth Ocean Explorers experience, our team also coordinates the Junior Ocean Explorers Summer Program which is open to students in Grades 3-6 and focuses on the fundamentals of swimming, snorkeling, and marine flora and fauna identification. This 2 week experience serves as many students' initial introduction to the marine sciences and swimming/snorkeling. JOE helps students develop a strong foundation for their swimming and snorkeling skills so that by the time they are eligible for YOE, they are confident and adept while in the water. YOE students spend most days snorkeling to explore underwater habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds; therefore it is important for selected YOE students to already have the basics of swimming and snorkeling.

The YOE Summer Program is built upon collaborations. Each summer, we leverage the knowledge and expertise of our community partners such as the Division of Fish and Wildlife to offer a fishing clinic for our students. At these fishing clinics, students get to learn about fishing practices and regulations of the USVI as well as experience fishing first-hand. But most importantly, they get to connect with diverse STEM professionals who highlight potential career pathways to inspire the next generation of ocean scientists. Featured here is Nicole Greaux, Caribbean Fisheries Management Council (CMFC) Liason and Reef Responsible Training Educator.

Preservation of our natural resources includes those both underwater and on land. Students enrolled in the Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program learn through hands-on activities, how our actions on land can affect coastal ecosystems and animals. Activities are infused with various elements of STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics); classroom presentations are made interactive through the use of virtual reality, giving students the opportunity to explore these unique habitats, first, in a safe virtual environment. This increases students comfortability and sense of familiarility when we explore these habitats as part of our field-based activities. Here students are using the PlantNet app to identify plants/shrubs/trees found in a USVI watershed.

Although not a requirement for being a marine scientist, interested YOE students are able to acquire their scuba certification(s) during the four weeks of the program. Students enrolled in the open water scuba course will complete a combination of E-learning and in-person diving practicals; students who are already open water scuba certified and are elligible can be recommended for the advanced open water or other speciality scuba course. We work with various dive shops around the USVI such as the Coki Dive Center and the Cane Bay Dive Center for scuba trainings/certifications and the Red Hook Dive Center for providing fun, refresher dives for students post-program completion.

YOE students are provided with opportunities to utililize their knowledge and skills
obtained during the program in real-world applications. Students that have earned
their scuba diving certification are able to participate in the Youth Diving With a Purpose Program (YDWP) based in Fort Lauderdale during the summer months. There, they can network
with other diverse scuba divers as well as assist with coral restoration efforts and
engage in archaeological diving. Featured here is St. Croix YOE student Maleyah Navarro
cleaning acropora coral during YDWP.
Learn More About Youth Diving With A Purpose

The Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program is part of a much larger National Science Foundation (NSF) funded research effort that aims to increase the participation and representation of underserved minorities within STEM and the geosciences which have historically lacked Diversity. The S.E.A.S. (Supporting Emerging Aquatic Scientists) Islands Alliance program builds a pathway for students at various education levels (grade school, college, and post-graduate) to not only be introduced/engaged with the geosciences but to also see themselves as future scientists. Pictured here is one of the principles of S.E.A.S. in action, Family Engagement. During the program, we invite YOE students and their families to actvities such as a nighttime shoreline walk where parents get to witness first-hand what has captivated their child's interest each day in YOE. Opportunities such as these, are indeed exciting, but serve a larger goal of helping to increase a student's interest and engagement within STEM.
YOE SUMMER PROGRAM OVERVIEW
- Open to youth in grades 7-12 (ages 11-18).
- Should already know how to swim and be comfortable being outdoors.
- First preference is given to youth from and/or currently residing in the Virgin Islands.
- Should have in interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
- Student MUST be able to attend the entire program. (Plan your vacation accordingly).
- Program operates for 4 consecutive weeks between July and August..
- Monday/Wednesday: Zoom sessions for 1 hour
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday: In-person field-based activities; full day (9:00 am - 4:00 pm). - Students will receive a variety of gear and supplies prior to the start of the program; this can include the following: backpacks, reusable water bottles, snorkel guideboooks, rash guards, etc.
- Students meet daily through a combination of virtual and in person activities.
- Housing is not provided as this is not an overnight program.
- Lunches are catered and optional (Please be sure to indicate ALL known allergies of the applicant (if applicable) when registering.
- Students that have previously participated in YOE and are at least at the 10th grade level are elligible to apply to be a YOE mentor.
- YOE mentors assist the team with the development and facilitation of the program's activities as well as ensuring the safety of participants.
- Mentors receive Emergency First Responder training prior to the start of the program.
- Mentors are also eligible to earn their scuba certification if interested.
- Selected mentors receive a monetary stipend at the conclusion of the program.
- Stipend amounts vary based on the students current education level (High School / Undergraduate / Graduate) and available funding for that year.
- In collaboration with several dive shops across the USVI, students interested in getting scuba certified can do so during YOE.
- Students interested in earning their PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) scuba certification can indicate their interest during the registration process.
- Students meet at their respective dive shops on Saturdays (Sunday sessions can be arranged upon request); on St. Thomas, students meet at the Coki Dive Center whereas students on St. Croix meet at the Cane Bay Dive Shop in Fredericksted.
- Prior to starting the scuba course, students will be required to:
- Complete the Medical Questionnaire provided to them via E-mail and
- Complete the Discover Dive proctored by the dive shop.
- The scuba course (Open Water) entails a combination of E-learning with in-person diving instruction. Students are encouraged to dedicate the necessary time to complete the E-learning components of the course.
- Students already open water scuba certified and are of age would be eligible to be enrolled in either the Advanced Open Water course or a Specialty Dive such as Peak Performance Buoyancy.
- Registration for YOE opens each year on JANUARY 1 and closes firmly on MAY 1.
- Your application consists of two parts: the PARENT APPLICATION and the STUDENT APPLICATION. Both are required and should be received no later than MAY 1.
- Completed applications will be reviewed after MAY 1; applicants will be notified of the selection process via E-mail.
- Additional forms such as media releases and liability waivers will be shared with selected applicants prior to the start date of the program; please check your E-mail regularly as to not miss any important program information.
- Selected applicants are required to pay a one-time program fee of $400 which covers all program-related costs such as student supplies, field trip expenses, lunches, and scuba training.
- Payment can be made in person or over the phone with the cashiers on either the Albert A. Sheen (St. Croix) UVI Campus (340-692-4160) or at the Orville E. Kean (St. Thomas) UVI Campus (340-693-1437); forms of payment accepted include cash, check, or credit card.
- Scholarships are available which can cover registration and scuba costs.
- Scholarships can be full or partial with the requirement that recipients volunteer
at a minimum of 3 community service events hosted by either VIMAS, VI-EPSCoR, or DPNR before DECEMBER 31 of the year the scholarship was awarded. Additional information about these events
will be shared both during and after the program concludes.
- Full Scholarship: Eligible to students who were either born in the USVI and/or currently attends a public school in the USVI.
- Partial Scholarship: Eligible to both local and non-local students who currently attend a private / parochial / homeschool in the USVI.
- Students can withdraw prior to the start date of the program to receive a full refund of any monies paid to date.
- If a student withdraws after the program has already started, no refunds will be issued.

WHAT DO STUDENTS SAY ABOUT YOE
"I can confidently say that YOE was a life changing experience. As I aspire to become a Marine Biologist, this program was able to give me a little taste of what that life would consist of. I was able to meet amazing and knowledgeable people along the way, as well as see marine animals that I would’ve never imagined seeing this early in my life." - YOE 2023 Student Nakyala King

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Office Phone: (340) 693-1672
E-mail: (howard.forbes@uvi.edu)
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Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service
Center for Marine and Environmental Studies
University of the Virgin Islands