Fil-Am marine sciences student chosen for Titanic discoverer’s exploration program
• John Paul Balmonte is named a Fellow with Dr. Robert Ballard’s Nautilus Exploration Program
• 22 educators and 24 students to explore Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean
E/V Nautilus
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina – Filipino American John Paul Balmonte from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was named one of 46 educators and students from around the world selected from a competitive pool of applicants by the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) to participate at sea during their 2014 Nautilus Exploration Program.
The selected educators and students hail from schools, universities, science centers, aquaria, and non-profit organizations in 23 states and from six countries. They will join the Nautilus Corps of Exploration during ocean expeditions from June through October.
As a 2014 Science Communication Fellow, Balmonte will sail with the Nautilus Exploration Program, with the Corps of Exploration onboard Exploration Vessel (E/V) from June 11 to July 5 as they explore the Straits of Florida, the Great Bahama Bank, Dry Tortugas and the Gulf of Mexico.
“Since entering graduate school, I have truly discovered a strong passion for exploring the oceans and for communicating to a broad audience all that I have seen, learned, and experienced,” Balmonte said. “That’s the beauty of being an oceanographer – visiting previously unexplored places and being able to tell stories that excite others.”
The 2014 educator and student selectees will embark on several expeditions aboard Dr. Robert Ballard’s ship of exploration, E/V Nautilus off the coast of the United States, Belize, Honduras, Jamaica and Grenada.
As members of the Corps of Exploration, educators and students will stand watch alongside scientists and engineers, as well as participate in live interactions with shore-based audiences via Nautilus Live, a 24-hour web portal bringing expeditions from the field to future explorers on shore via tele-presence technology at www.nautiluslive.org and via social media.
“One of the major goals of our Nautilus Exploration Program is to inspire the next generation of explorers in STEM fields,” said Expedition Leader and OET Executive Vice President, Dr. Katherine Croff Bell, “so we’re very excited to provide educators and students with the direct experience of pure exploration, while allowing them the opportunity to share their experience far and wide with their peers.”
The Science Communication Fellowship Program will bring 21 communicators – including five returnees that will serve as mentors on the ship for new Fellows – hailing from across the US, New Zealand, Australia, Wales, Jamaica, and Northern Ireland to sea in 2014.
Science Communication positions entail two-week periods working aboard E/VNautilus as key communicators of the expedition to public audiences following the exploration online and in public venues.
An equally important aspect of the program is that the Fellows bring the expedition and excitement of ocean exploration back to their home communities after they have returned from sea by incorporating their experience into classroom lesson plans, community presentations, and through informal educational opportunities.
The Science Communication Fellowship is made possible with sponsorship from Bechtel, the Office of Naval Research, the Viola and Panthers Foundations, and private donations.
Follow John Paul Balmonte live at www.nautiluslive.org while he is onboard E/V Nautilus exploring the Straits of Florida to the Gulf of Mexico this June and July, and tune in anytime from June 11 through October 9 as the Corps of Exploration stream their exploration and discoveries live. Also follow the adventures on social media at Nautilus Live on Facebook and @EVNautilus on Twitter.
