Expedition Team

Leslie Peate

Leslie Peate, C-164


Age: 31
Alumni: C-164
Occupation: High School Oceanography Teacher
Virginia Beach, VA

Growing up in Virginia Beach allowed me to experience the ocean from my own back door. At an early age I developed a love and fascination with the ocean and always knew it would be a huge part of my life. From the first time I saw bottlenose dolphins swimming right up to the shore, to the humpback whales breaching in the distance, to my first SCUBA dive at age 14, I couldn't learn enough. My journey with the ocean lead me to SEA 11 years ago when I first stepped foot on the Corwith Cramer and I couldn't be more excited to be sailing on her again! My experience with SEA and the wonderful teacher and scientists in the program actually inspired me to change my career path from research scientist to teacher. Upon returning from SEA, if finished up my B.S. in Biology with concentrations in marine biology and oceanography and went on to earn my M.S. in Secondary Science Education (both from Old Dominion University). For the past 9 years I have been teaching Oceanography to 11th and 12th graders in Virginia Beach. Bringing the excitement and wonder of the ocean into the hearts and minds of young people is truly my passion. I feel strongly that educating the youth about the current state of our world's oceans and teaching them to appreciate and respect the ocean will lead to a more sensitive and self-aware group of individuals for years to come.

When I'm not in the classroom I enjoy working out, reading, watching movies, and I play on a softball team 8 months out of the year. Summers off are a huge perk to teaching high school and I love to travel.

My past adventures with SEA have been some of the most rewarding of my life, and I am excited to have the opportunity to be directly involved with important research dedicated to our ocean ecosystem and to give something back to SEA.




funding

Plastics at SEA: North Atlantic Expedition 2010 is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program. Additional funding provided by Sea Education Association and Henry L. and Grace Doherty Foundation. American Chemistry Council provided support for web-based outreach. Crew gear provided by Patagonia. This expedition is in collaboration with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Woods Hole Sea Grant.