-PROGRAM DESCRIPTION-                            

The Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program is a 4-week, hands-on marine science program for middle to high school-aged students interested in studying coastal, marine & environmental science, natural resource management, and conservation. YOE now features more geoscience-based activities that are all developed around the use of short presentations and field activities utilizing scientific tools to supplement those presentations. Participants report to the St. Croix East Marine Park as well as the Coastal Studies Outpost in Salt River but can expect to travel with staff to other on-island locations for field work and activities. YOE is recognized as one of the entryways for USVI students to engage with the S.E.A.S. (Supporting Emerging Aquatic Scientists) Islands Alliance Program, Participants in the YOE program can continue along this pathway to engage in:

• Undergraduate internship opportunities. While in enrolled at the University of the Virgin Islands, these internships place students with territorial and federal agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), The Nature Conservancy, and the Ocean and Coastal Observing Virgin Islands Inc. (OCOVI).  
• Bridge to the PhD program. While enrolled in UVI's Masters in Marine and Environmental Studies (MMES) program, students can spend a summer at either Penn State University or the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) working in a research laboratory conducting cutting edge geoscience research. 
• Workforce Fellow positions. Students that complete the entire pathway, starting with YOE, are eligible for a workforce fellowship that places them with territorial partners, to conduct work pertinent to advancing the goals of the SEAS program and furthering their professional development.  

While at its core, the YOE Summer Program is a 4-week program, our team strives to provide opportunities for engagement throughout the year. Potential parents of applicants to the YOE Summer Program should see this program as an investment into their child's professional development; providing a pathway from grade school - post secondary education (advanced degree, i.e. Masters or PhD level) to train them into becoming the next generation of ocean/geo scientists. Some examples of post program engagement activities include participating in the National Park Service's Sea Turtle Monitoring Program and internships that provide students with opportunities to utilize their scuba training.  

Program Print Materials

Click any of the buttons below to obtain more information about the Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program.  

-YOE TEAM-

In addition to Program Team members Forbes and Stout, the YOE St. Croix Summer Program is coordinated by an enthusiastic staff that includes partners from a variety of both governmental and federal agencies. Some of these agencies include The National Park Service (left: Zandy Hillis Star - Chief Resource Management), The Department of Planning and Natural Resources Coastal Zone Management Division (middle: Caroline Pott), and the Virgin Islands Department of Education (right: Anne Marie Gibbs and Jesus Espinosa - Science teachers at the St. Croix Educational Complex and Central High School respectively). Using this multi-agency approach exponentially increases the breadth of knowledge and expertise that can be shared with the students to make their experience in the YOE Summer Program, one that is memorable and educational. 

-ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA-                                                                    

• The Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program is open to students in Grades 7-12 with an interest in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics). Students who recently graduated from the 6th grade are eligible to apply.
• Applicants are eligible to participate in the program as a student for a maximum number of 3 years (total). If an applicant wishes to continue with the program beyond these 3 years, they are encouraged to apply as a mentor (see below).
• Parents and/or guardians may register multiple children within their household; however, we ask that students who genuinely have an interest in marine science or STEM apply as spaces are limited each year. 
• Interested applicants should be comfortable in the water which includes, swimming, floating, and submerging underwater. Students that are not able to perform these skills are encouraged to take swimming lessons prior to the program.
• Applicants that do not reside in the Virgin Islands permanently are eligible to apply; however, first preference is given to local applicants. This is not an overnight program and thus, housing is not provided. 
• Selected applicants are required to complete the entire 4-week program, barring any emergencies that may arise. Please plan your summer accordingly so as to avoid any scheduling conflicts with the YOE Summer Program. Students that do not complete the program (after being selected) will be required to pay back any scholarship assistance received and are also ineligible from participating in post-program opportunities such as scuba training, internships, etc.

-HOW TO REGISTER-

IMPORTANT NOTICE - COVID-19 UPDATE 

The 2021 Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program is currently undergoing specific modifications that are being made to the operating structure to ensure the safety of all participants involved. These modifications will affect the 2021 YOE program and possibly the 2022 program depending on the status of COVID-19. Below, are some of the most pertinent modifications:

• Instead of accepting our usual 25 students, we will only accept 10 students. 
• Only students who are currently residing in the U.S. Virgin Islands will be eligible for participation. 
• Classroom sessions will be facilitated through Zoom classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 
• Outdoor activities will be coordinated on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  
• Meals will only be provided on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will be optional. 

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED (2021)

The registration period for the 2021 Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program is now closed. Please check back in early 2022 when the registration reopens for the 2022 program. 

-PROGRAM FUNDING / SPONSORSHIP-

The St. Croix Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program was made possible through funding received from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.
Our program operates each year via small grants from private foundations and federal agencies as well as donations (monetary or in kind services) from the Virgin Islands community. If you are interested in providing a donation or to sponsor a student to attend, contact us using any of the methods listed below. The University of the Virgin Islands is a 501c3 institution so all donations are tax deductible. 
You can donate to the program by clicking the "Donate" button below.

-CONTACT US-   

Office Phone: St. Thomas (340) 693-1672
E-mail: St. Thomas (howard.forbes@live.uvi.edu)
Website: http://vimas.uvi.edu
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Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service
Center for Marine and Environmental Studies
University of the Virgin Islands

St. Thomas
#2 John Brewers Bay
St. Thomas, USVI 00802