Prior to this trip I had no idea that PEP or even Woods Hole existed. Luckily, I was told about this opportunity by my Chemistry professor back in Michigan, and I’m am extremely grateful that I’m able to have this experience. From the beginning I have been surprised by not only the knowledge I’m gaining but also the connections I’m making. I was surprised when coming here at how close I’ve become to the other 15 PEP students within the first three weeks and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.

Often times the lasting impact of an experience is not something we expect. I had arrived at the SEA campus on June 2. My 21st birthday would be on June 5th. So inevitably I was anxious about being away from home at a momentous stage in my life. My mother, family, and friends weren’t excited about not being able to celebrate this time with me. I was a little sad about not being able to celebrate it with them, as well.

Hey yall! My name is Elizabeth “Liz” Smith. I am a junior environmental science major from Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga. If you hadn’t guess from my use of “yall”, I am a Southern Belle. This is my first time in the New England and I am loving it! It took a few days to get use to the weather (I left 85 degrees with a summer breeze for 65 and a wind chill. What was I thinking?!) but after 3 weeks here in Falmouth I am well acclimated.

When my major advisor first told me about the Woods Hole Partnership in Education Program (PEP) I was immediately interested. An opportunity to be a part of one of the premier research communities in the world? I started on the application that day. I expected to be surrounded by fellow PEPsters that were intelligent, driven, and passionate about their fields.

The sighting came while the ship was stopped so we could lower scientific instruments into the deep blue—for the last time.. A large white shape appeared just below the surface not 50 feet away from our side. It moved forward to aft and then disappearing behind us, among the whitecaps and glare of the sun. Moments later, it was back. This time the large creature was almost bobbing at the surface; this time presenting a clearly recognizable shape.  “Whale ho,” went out a cry from the quarterdeck.

My favorite day so far has been going into the field of Woods Hole Research Center in Falmouth Massachusetts to get a close look and collect data on the biomass of the different types of trees at the back of the Woods Hole Research Center. The purpose of this field work was to measure and monitor the above-ground of biomass and also see how carbon affects climate change. We started the field work by dividing ourselves into four different groups. Each group was given a compass, measuring tape, flags and a diameter measuring tape.

Joining the South Pacific expedition in its final leg, I was surprised at what I found. I knew the students had encountered rough seas that dragged down the hardiest of them into a woozy world of seasickness. Broken into three groups, the students had been standing watch, around the clock in six-hour watches to master nautical science and seamanship skills. They got their hands wet, conducting science experiments, often in the middle of the night.

My favorite day so far has been going out into the field of Wood Neck Beach in Falmouth, Massachusetts to get a closer look and collect data on the biodiversity within a rocky intertidal habitat. Being from this area and working closely with the species that live throughout the New England coastlines, I felt very confident identifying different species and had so much fun being outdoors in the beautiful weather.

Last week, SEA joined in committing to advance science and partnership in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area.

At the UN Ocean Conference, held June 5th through 9th, the PIPA Scientific Advisory Committee made a voluntary commitment to implement UN Sustainable Development Goal 14, to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”, with support from SEA and other collaborating organizations*.

Specifically, this commitment includes generating a new ten-year research plan for the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), one of the largest marine protected areas and the largest—and deepest—UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Last week, 16 students arrived on the SEA campus to take part in the Woods Hole Partnership Education Program (PEP). These students come from schools from across the States to spend 10 weeks in the Woods Hole Community undertaking a four-week course run by scientists from local institutions before heading into labs for six weeks of hands-on research.