Volunteering
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Splashing Into the Science of Sea Turtle Conservation
6:00 PM — finally. Time to wake up. Headlamp. Check. Waterproof shoes. Check. Field journal. Let’s go. Meeting at the field station, we huddle under the overhang with our trusty stray dog sidekicks. Rocky, a charismatic mutt, greets us, tail wagging, excited for a long night at the beach. After swatting away what seems like a million mosquitos, we grab our gear and head to the beach. As the lightning strikes light the sky and illuminate our path, we make our way through overgrown grass and scattered driftwood. Amidst the stark juxtaposition of crashing waves and soft drizzling rain, a round and glistening mass of light emerges from the water,…
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5 Productive Activities For Aspiring Marine Biologists This Summer
Summer is a time to kick back and relax, relish the good weather, and get caught up on those nitpicking tasks you’ve pushed off all year long. However, it’s also an opportune time to get ahead as a student. Whether that be taking summer classes or starting a summer internship, you now have some time to focus on some career-making moves. To excel in your career while also enhancing your marine biology knowledge and summer experience, consider these 5 summer activities. 1. Catch Up On the Documentaries You’ve Been Meaning to Watch No matter where you turn, it seems like everyone is talking about that one documentary with the octopus.…
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5 Reasons Aquarium Volunteering Will Make You a Better Marine Biologist
Dedicating your time to aquarium volunteering is not only good for your community, but it is also good for you and your journey in marine biology. Whether you’re a student or working professional, volunteering at your local aquarium can broaden your perspectives and complement your marine biology career. As a volunteer at the Birch Aquarium for over two years, I have strengthened my skills in marine biology, networking, and science communication. Furthermore, I’ve gained valuable working knowledge volunteering at special events, whale watching trips, and tide pool excursions. To explore how volunteering may transform your life and career, read through this list of key aquarium volunteering benefits. 1. Aquarium volunteering…
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How to Be a Citizen Scientist with 5 Simple Smartphone Apps and Websites
With smartphones, it’s become easier for everyday people to record observations, contribute to research, and be a citizen scientist. Whether you’re in elementary school, retired, or working full time, you can be an ornithologist, a phenologist, or maybe even a marine biologist. Essentially, you can be any -ologist you want to be. We all know we spend exorbitant amounts of time on our phones. One minute, we’re browsing Instagram, and, the next minute, we’re FaceTiming our friends. Frankly, our phones draw a lot of our attention. So, next time your phone buzzes, channel that attention towards something scientific, productive—bigger than yourself. To do that, grab your smartphone, and get outside!…
