Investigators: PI Dr. Leigh Torres, Florence Sullivan (2015–2017), Lisa Hildebrand (2018–2021), Allison Dawn (2021–2023)

Giving students an opportunity to undertake field work, learn about data collection and analysis, as well as work and live as part of a team of diverse individuals is a unique experience that can influence and shape future careers and lives. As such, engagement of young science enthusiasts has always been a goal of the gray whale foraging ecology project (TOPAZ), which is why the field season team always comprises 3-4 undergraduate and/or local high school students.

Over the course of this internship, all students learn how to track whales with binoculars, a theodolite, and the associated computer program Pythagoras, as well as proper camera techniques for taking photo-ID quality images. They also learn how to kayak, how to navigate between stations with a GPS, and how to complete zooplankton net tows and GoPro casts from the research kayak. Additionally, the interns gain experience with science communication in both formal and informal settings through frequent on-the-water interactions with other kayakers, and a community presentation at the end of the field season. Each intern is also required to write a blog post for the GEMM Lab blog on the topic of their choosing, which is always a learning experience and yields interesting personal flare. This internship gives students a chance to interact with scientists, build their STEM identity, gain life skills such as leadership and problem solving, and get a taste for the realities of field research. Whether or not students continue STEM career paths, the experience broadens their horizons and skill sets, and helps engage the Port Orford community in local marine research.

As of 2023, 33 students in total have participated in this integrated JASPER/TOPAZ program, and almost all of them have continued on to education and careers in STEM. We are proud of this legacy and impact, which we documented in this publication titled, "Students as Scientists". We also describe the specific objectives of the JASPER program and the logistics we apply to find success.

Port Orford Gray Whale Foraging Ecology Research 2018

Intern blogs & media:

2023 field season: Alyrian Covey, Jonah Lewis, Natalee Webster, Autumn Lee

2022 field season: Charlie Ells, Luke Donaldson, Nichola Gregory, Zoe Sax, field season video (made by Charlie Ells) 

2021 field season: Nadia Leal, Damian Amerman-Smith, Jasen White 

2020 field season: Mattea Holt Colberg, Elizabeth Kelly, Noah Dolinajec

2019 field season: Anthony Howe, Donovan Burns, Mia Arvizu

2018 field season: Robyn Norman, Haley Kent, Dylan Gregory, Hayleigh Middleton, field season video (made by Robyn Norman)

2017 field season: Morgan O’Rourke-Liggett, Nathan Malamud, Quince Nye, field season video (made by Morgan O’Rourke-Liggett)

2016 field season: Catherine Lo, Kelli Iddings, Cathryn Wood

2015 field season: Cricket Medellin, Justin Hansen, Sarah Wiesner

 

Other relevant blogs:

A little help from my friends to study gray whales in Port Orford

The impact of science

New steps towards community engagement: introducing high schoolers to the field

 

Publications:

Torres, L.G., L. Hildebrand, and T. Crews, Students as Scientists: Using Immersive Experiences and Near-Peer Mentoring to Build STEM Identity and Community. Current: The Journal of Marine Education, 2023. https://current-journal.com/articles/10.5334/cjme.77

 

Collaborators:

Tracy Crews and Cait Goodwin, Oregon Coast STEM-Hub

Tom Calvanese, OSU Port Orford Field Station

Dave Lacey, South Coast Tours

 

Funding:

Providing high school and undergraduate students with an opportunity to experience ecological field research and learn valuable skills in data collection, processing and analysis has always been a central part of the TOPAZ Gray Whale Foraging Ecology Project.