Author: REEF Education Team
The Junior REEF Explorer program offers a fun and educational experience for kids visiting the new Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo, FL. As they step inside, children can grab their very own Explorer Guidebook and begin an exciting journey led by Sammie the Sea Turtle, REEF’s friendly explorer mascot. The eight-page booklet is filled with interactive activities that take children on a hands-on tour through the Center’s exhibits, encouraging discovery and engagement. Once complete, participants can present it to a REEF team member to receive a special Junior REEF Explorer badge - a token of their oceanexploration achievements!
Planning a trip to Key Largo? Be sure to stop by the Ocean Exploration Center to experience the Junior REEF Explorer program and check out all of our marine conservation activities.
Author: REEF Education Team
Congratulations to the 2025 REEF Educatorin the Field Fellowship recipient, Stephen Kos, a science and STEM educator for New York City Public Schools. In June, Stephen joined the REEF Field Survey Trip to Roatan, Honduras, where he learned about fish ID and citizen science, and conducted fish surveys as part of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. He is now a Level 2 Surveyor in the Tropical Western Atlantic survey region. Way to go, Stephen!
Here's what he had to say about his experience: "As an Educator in the Field, I experienced firsthand how we can transform science education by showing students the pride that comes from collecting their own data, the motivation of contributing to something bigger than themselves, and the joy of learning alongside their community - whether that's fellow divers or neighbors back home!"
As part of their Fellowship, Stephen will continue their involvement with REEF, serving as a member of our Education Advisory Panel and implementing REEFlessons and resources into his classroom and planning. We can’t wait to see what he shares with his students in the coming year!
Author: REEF Education Team
REEF is now accepting applications for the 2026 Educator in the Field Fellowship! Through the Fellowship, educators can gain hands-on marine conservation experience and tools to bring REEF programs into their classrooms and communities. One outstanding educator will join the REEFField Survey Trip to Bonaire on July 11–18, 2026. The Fellowship covers all trip inclusions plus up to $1,200 in travel reimbursement. During the Fellowship, the educator will gain experiential knowledge in fish identification, while learning about citizen science, data collection and survey methods.
Applications close January 5, 2026. Selected applicants will be notified in late January. Fellows can earn up to 2.5 units of graduate-level credit from UC San Diego. For more information and to apply, visit www.REEF.org/educatorinfield.
Author: REEF Education Team
We are excited to welcome Chelsey Davis to the REEF team. Chesley is based at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, where she will be helping to lead REEF’s education team. Originally from Georgia, she received her BSA in agricultural communications from the University of Georgia. She worked with the 4-H Youth Program in Georgia and South Carolina for 17 years, where she developed, implemented, and evaluated educational programs and managed volunteers. A lover of the outdoors and travel, she has volunteered at a South African game reserve and earned her scuba certification in Egypt, where she fell in love with everything marine. In 2021, she pursued a Master’s in Climate Science and Global Sustainability from the School of International Training’s Graduate Institute.
As Director of Learning and Engagement at REEF, Chesley will work closely with REEF Ocean Explorers programs, while supporting community outreach and educational initiatives at the new Ocean Exploration Center. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome!
