After a 4,000-mile journey, a 117-foot twin-hulled ship granted to the University of South Florida (USF) is docked at its new home port in St. Petersburg, where it will be operated by the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) to offer transformative opportunities for students to explore and advance the field of ocean science. Called Research Vessel Western Flyer, the ship was granted to USF by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and will be the most technologically advanced vessel in the FIO fleet.
FIO is housed at USF and supports all institutions in the State University System. While FIO’s other research vessels, Weatherbird II and Hogarth, operate primarily within Florida waters, the Western Flyer will embark on expeditions further afield – operating in waters off the southeastern U.S. and stretching into the northern Caribbean Sea. Capable of longer missions and with additional berths, the added capacities will allow more interdisciplinary expeditions including at-sea development opportunities for research, engineering, maritime trades and other STEM careers.
The FIO team is using the Western Flyer to create a new model for ocean science education that leverages the power of sustained mentoring and cohort-based programming, networked workforce development opportunities and remote science technologies. The yearlong program, called Peerside, is launching this summer with a select group of postsecondary students who will explore careers in ocean science, develop beneficial industry connections and conduct ship-to-shore research. Funding for this new at-sea ocean STEM program is supported by the Schmidt Ocean Institute and Schmidt Family Foundation.
(This article was first featured in our June/July newsletter - to subscribe to our monthly newsletter click here)
The St Pete Science Festival is looking for volunteers and exhibitors to participate in the February 7 School Day and February 8 Public Festival. This regional celebration of the wonders of hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) is a fun event for all ages.
The District's favorite annual event - State of Science and Innovation - is coming up quickly. Be sure to reserve your complimentary ticket. This event features a series of fast-paced presentations by local innovators.
If you have looked behind the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub this week you will see a new visitor - the HOS Mystique. This vessel is assisting with the deployment of two large spar buoys next week offshore in collaboration with USF’s College of Marine Science and USF’s School of Geosciences. The spar buoy is designed to measure very small geodetic motions of the seafloor in order to better predict earthquakes and tsunamis.