Want to sail as an Onboard Outreach Officer?

 

JOIDES Resolution Onboard Outreach Officers sail on board the ship to share the science story with students, families, and the general public. We welcome applications from classroom teachers, informal science educators, artists, videographers, writers, journalists, social media experts, and anyone who can make a good case for themselves! Selected applicants will have the opportunity to learn shipboard science alongside the expedition’s science party and translate the exciting science happening on board through creation of blogs, videos, social networking sites, live ship-to-shore video events, and development of educational resources and outputs for non-specialists.

Successful applicants will be creative, flexible, friendly and hardworking. Some geoscience background is helpful. All expenses for U.S. Onboard Education/Outreach Officers for travel to and from the ports of call, and a stipend are paid by the U.S. Science Support Program for IODP. Onboard Education/Outreach Officers are selected through a competitive application and interview process. The selected individual(s) will also be flown to a 3-day training session prior to their expedition. This is usually held at IODP TAMU in College Station, Texas.

We are currently accepting applications to participate as an Outreach Officer on the following expedition:

Expedition 405: Tracking tsunamigenic slip across the Japan trench (JTRACK)
The expedition will take place 6 September – 20 December 2024, but the Onboard Outreach Officer will sail for approximately 1-2 weeks (specific dates TBD) within that window.

You can read the formal call here. The deadline for applications is June 15, 2024.

 

The goals of the Onboard Outreach Program are to:

  • Raise awareness of IODP
  • Promote and support IODP science.
  • Inspire and promote STEM learning
  • Utilize IODP data in classrooms
  • Increase diversity

 

Please review the application requirements (listed below), then go the USSSP Application Portal to submit an online application to the Onboard Outreach Program. Our application has the following components:

  • a completed application form
  • an up-to-date C.V.
  • a recommendation letter
  • contact information for two additional references
  • a one-page proposal describing projects aligned to the goals of the Onboard Outreach Program that you would like to carry out while sailing
  • answers to several short essay questions
  • a letter of support from your administrator if needed

Also, watch our video about being an Outreach Officer here.

Read blogs by our former Onboard Outreach Officers for advice on the application process and how the experience has enhanced their profession after sailing

For Educators – Alejandra Martinez, Expedition 360

For Videographers – Lisa Strong, Expedition 330 and 354

For Science Communicators – Lucas Kavanagh, Expedition 360

Also, for reference, please read our Three Year Summary/Evaluation report of the Education/Outreach program.

Any questions can be sent to Maya Pincus (mpincus@ldeo.columbia.edu) or Sharon Cooper (scooper@ldeo.columbia.edu).

 

Scientists lead a ship-to-shore tour of the JR  Outreach officers show off their cameras and film equipment on the bow.

Outreach officer using colored pencils to draw a scientist.  Outreach officer brings students on a virtual tour of the catwalk.

JOIDES Resolution