Andrea's Portfolio
THE SAILOR
NOAA Teacher at Sea: Gulf of Mexico (2012) and Kodiak, AK (2015)
THE NOAA TEACHER AT SEA PROGRAM:
The mission of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Teacher at Sea (TAS) program is "to provide teachers hands-on, research experience at sea, giving them unique insight into oceanographic, hydrographic, and fisheries research by facilitating partnerships between educators and world-renowned NOAA scientists" (NOAA TAS, 1990). Each year, hundreds of applicants in the education field apply for the Teacher at Sea program. About twenty educators are selected each season to work along scientists and conduct research on ships throughout the US.
 Fishin for Critters: An Instructional Unit |  NOAA Homepage |  TAS 2012 Blog: SEAMAP Summer Groundfish Survey |
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 NOAA Teacher at Sea Program |  TAS 2015 Blog: Alaskan Walleye Pollock Acoustic Trawl Survey |
I first went to sea in 2012 on board the Oregon II to help scientists conduct the SEAMAP Summer Groundfish Survey. In this survey, we collected data on the shrimp populations in the Gulf of Mexico. This was done by using a bottom trawl, a net that is cast just above the sea floor, catching critters that live on and near the bottom of the Gulf. I spent 3 weeks working with scientists collecting, sorting, and counting over 60 different species of fish and crustaceans.
I had such a great time, and brought back so many valuable resources for my students, I applied for the alumni program and returned to sea in 2015.
In 2015, I was on board the Oscar Dyson, a ship that is based out of Kodiak, Alaska. Here I spent 3 weeks helping scientists conduct the Alaskan Walleye Pollock Acoustic Trawl Survey. This survey, conducted by the Midwater Assessment and Conservation Engineering (MACE) Program at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) in Seattle, WA, uses acoustic technology to gather data on the distribution and abundance of fish, which provides researchers with pertinent information about the walleye pollock population. This is done by the use of acoustic transducers, devices located on the bottom of the ship that help detect ocean live and map the seafloor. Because the Alaskan Walleye Pollock is the largest fishing industry in the world, monitoring the health of its population is extremely important.
