Learning Across the World: Boys & Girls Clubs Members Awarded Two-Year Internships in Oceanography

Clubs members Devyn Jackson, age 14, and Tashawn Reese, age 16, were two of nine students selected from hundreds of international applicants for JASON’s National Argonaut program. During their two-year oceanography internship with The JASON Project — an independent 501(c)3 operated in association with National Geographic Society — Devyn and Tashawn will apply and expand the knowledge they have gained through their Immersion Learning experiences at the Club.

As part of their internship, Devyn and Tashawn traveled to Europe this September and boarded the E/V Nautilus, a state-of-the-art scientific ship of exploration. During their voyage, the teens worked alongside world-class scientists studying the relationship between climate change and oceanography. They also gained experience working with Hercules, a massive, highly sophisticated underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle). Interns participated in a live webcast with kids across the world to share what they learned during the expedition.

Immersion Learning groups have been a part of the Club’s educational initiatives since 2006. Director of Immersion Programs Laura Batt explains the fundamentals: “Immersion helps youth understand the positive roles that science and technology play in their everyday lives. Immersion curricula are designed to provide hands-on science activities and ignite kids’ interest in real discovery and learning.”

Not every Boys & Girls Club offers Immersion programming. And only two Clubs in the country benefit from having an Immersion expert in their community.

“Having Laura in our backyard is an incredible gift to our Club members. She has been instrumental in training our staff members and instilling a love for science in our Club members,” explains Boys & Girls Club staff member Lucinda Reese who has received extensive training in Immersion and is now able to teach Immersion programs like Marine Mammals of the Arctic to other local educators. Along with Devyn and Tashawn, Reese applied for and was awarded an internship with The JASON Project. As a Teacher Argonaut, Reese accompanied the Club members on the Nautilus in September and also attended a preparatory boot camp with them in Connecticut and Rhode Island this July.

Highlights

Not every Boys & Girls Club offers Immersion programming. And only two Clubs in the country benefit from having an Immersion expert in their community.

As part of their two-year oceanography internship, Devyn and Tashawn traveled to Europe for an expedition on the E/V Nautilus, a state-of-the-art scientific ship of exploration.

To date, more than 200 Club members have participated in Immersion programming.

The Club is currently seeking volunteers to assist with Immersion activities at various Club sites and to offer assistance with the Boys & Girls Club ROV team that will be competing in the Shedd Aquarium Midwest MATE ROV Regional Competition in Chicago in spring of 2012.

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