With the recent opening of the Ocean Exploration Center at the REEF Campus in the Florida Keys, our in-person and virtual Explorers Education programming is seeing tremendous growth in the number and types of groups we can serve. As these programs grow, it’s important to keep our lessons aligned with current educational standards and emerging trends. To support our educators in curriculum design, REEF partners with our Education Advisory Panel (EAP), a group committed to bringing fresh ideas and thoughtful guidance to our programs.
The EAP includes 13 volunteer educators with diverse professional backgrounds, including library science specialists, K–12 teachers, and college professors. Panelists represent a wide geographic range, from Hawaii to New York City, and even Italy, but they share two things in common: a love of the ocean and a passion for education. Together, they strengthen REEF’s education programs by reviewing and providing feedback on the curricula we teach in person and online.
Panelists bring a wealth of experience. Many have used REEF Ocean Explorers programs in their own classrooms, incorporated citizen science into formal or informal learning, developed marine science curricula, or worked with group travel programs. Their insights help ensure the Ocean Explorers Program remains engaging, accurate, and inspiring, while also advancing citizen science participation.
Are you an educator interested in joining the EAP? As a panelist, you’ll collaborate closely with REEF’s education staff, stay up to date on our work, and help shape how we share it with learners of all ages. The EAP meets quarterly via virtual sessions and occasionally in person at conferences and events. Visit this page to learn more, and meet our panelists.