Island Times Blog

Hi All! My name is Angie (also known as “Dr. Chippy”) and I’m the Director of Marine Science for SeaTrek. For me, seeing these photos brings back a flood of wonderful memories. It also puts a big smile on my face as I think about how SeaTrek’s FATHOMS program has developed and expanded over the past few years. In 2011 we set sail on our mobile research station, SeaTrek Explorer and the FATHOMS BVI program embarked on its first two voyages with its crew of adventure-seeking young scientists.

2011 FATHOMS V1 (pictured left to right): Patrick Ross, Lauren Beyer, Maya Aurichio, Emily Walker, Kasey Fox, Robert Spaeth, Alex Welch, Jennifer Havens

2011 FATHOMS V3 (pictured left to right): Aly Yingst, Helene Flittie, Kasey Fox, Olivia Post, Shelby Munsterman

These amazing, spirited young people were the original FATHOMS “Nerd Herd,” a title they rightly earned and carried with pride. Their commitment and enthusiasm to the FATHOMS program was remarkable and inspired us to help provide them with the most exciting, educational and jam-packed three weeks of their lives. I honestly heard them say things like, “Gosh, I can’t believe how much I’ve learned and experienced in such a short time! I wish school could be more like this.”

As a life-long educator, I rarely have been more encouraged and inspired. I can honestly say that during these voyages, the “teacher” often became the student, and that’s when I knew SeaTrek’s FATHOMS program was going to be a success. And here we are, three years later and the program continues to grow as we add FATHOMS Bahamas in 2013 and work towards a college-accredited FATHOMS program to launch in 2014. Thanks to all of those who made FATHOMS a reality – and here’s to our future members of the Nerd Herd…Gooooooo, Nerds!