Teacher at Sea Program | NOAA Fisheries
Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/teacher-at-sea-program
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:21
Teacher at Sea Program | NOAA Fisheries
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Teacher at Sea Program
Teacher at Sea Program
NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program offers educators a unique opportunity to join NOAA scientists aboard an ocean research vessel as a member of the science team.
NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program offers educators a unique opportunity to join NOAA scientists aboard an ocean research vessel as a member of the science team. Since 1990, more than 850 teachers have sailed on NOAA surveys monitoring our nation’s fisheries, measuring physical and chemical ocean trends, and charting unknown regions of the seafloor.
Participants return to their classrooms with first-hand accounts of what it’s like to live and work at sea, illustrated by photos, blogs, and lesson plans. Their personal connections to NOAA’s science and stewardship help Teachers at Sea communicate the importance of NOAA’s mission to communities across the nation.
Image
NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson. Credit: NOAA Teacher at Sea Program.
Featured News
Feature Story
Beyond the Horizon: the Drifter that Returned from Sea
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Feature Story
Teacher at Sea Kicks off the Year Early with January Marine Mammal Survey
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Feature Story
Teachers Help Tell the Story of Pollock in a Changing Bering Sea
Alaska
Podcast
Sharing a Love of Teaching (and Oysters)
New England/Mid-Atlantic
View More News
More Information
2025 NOAA Teacher at Sea Year in Review
Teacher at Sea: By the Numbers
Contact Us: Teacher at Sea Program
Teacher at Sea Facebook
Teacher at Sea Instagram
FACT
850 Teachers at Sea
Since 1990, more than 850 educators have sailed as Teachers at Sea on NOAA or NOAA-partnered vessels.
FACT
50 States and 4 Territories
NOAA Teachers at Sea have come from every state, as well as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the District of Columbia.
FACT
118,000 Research Hours
Over the years, NOAA Teachers at Sea have spent a total of nearly 10,000 days at sea, assisting NOAA and NOAA-partnered scientists with more than 118,000 hours of ocean-based research.
FACT
3,200 Science Blog Posts
NOAA Teachers at Sea have written more than 3,200 posts about science at sea for the NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog.
Show me another fact
NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog
NOAA Teachers at Sea write blog posts to share their experiences at sea with their students and communities. Check out the NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog to read logs going back to 2003 and search the collection of more than 25,000 photos.
NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog
Teacher at Sea Alumni Association
The Teacher at Sea Alumni Association is composed of educators from across the United States who have successfully completed their NOAA Teacher at Sea research cruise. The Association provides valuable networking opportunities and high-quality professional development experiences for these exceptional educational leaders.
Teacher at Sea Alumni Association
Meet the NOAA Ship Fleet
NOAA operates a wide assortment of hydrographic survey, oceanographic research and fisheries survey vessels. These vessels are operated by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. Learn how NOAA research and survey ships support safe navigation, commerce, and resource management.
Meet the NOAA Ship Fleet
NOAA Education
The NOAA Education Portal combines learning and teaching resources about the ocean and atmosphere. Discover curricula, lesson plans, and real-time data to bring NOAA science into your classroom. Explore opportunities for educators and students of all levels. Apply for competitive funding for education projects.
NOAA Education
Multimedia
NOAA Fisheries Video Gallery
Podcast
Sharing a Love of Teaching (and Oysters)
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Podcast
Shark Surveys and Lesson Plans: A Multitasking Teacher at Sea
Southeast
National
Video
30 Years of New Frontiers: Why Send Teachers to Sea?
National
How the Program Works
How Does the Teacher at Sea Program Work?
Teacher at Sea Sian Proctor holding a pollock. Credit: NOAA Teacher at Sea Program.
Teachers at Sea sail aboard NOAA, NOAA-contracted, or NOAA-partnered ships conducting ocean-related research projects. Some projects involve the annual or biennial collection of data for long-term observations, while others represent shorter term studies or unique collaborations. The potential projects vary from year to year, depending on NOAA’s research schedule and berth availability. However, they generally fall into three main categories:
Fisheries research cruises
perform biological and physical surveys to ensure sustainable fisheries and healthy marine habitats
Oceanographic research cruises
perform physical science studies to increase our understanding of the world's oceans and climate
Hydrographic survey cruises
scan the coastal sea floor to locate submerged obstructions and navigational hazards for the creation and update of the nation's nautical charts
Note:
In 2026, we anticipate that the majority of our sailing opportunities will be on fisheries research cruises.
NOAA research cruises typically spend 2–4 weeks at sea between port calls. Teachers at Sea have sailed on survey legs as short as 7 days and as long as 30 days; the average opportunity is 16 days at sea. Teachers at Sea need to plan on additional days for travel to and from the ship and, when necessary, for complying with COVID testing or quarantining protocols. Most Teachers at Sea sail on surveys that align with their summer vacation, but educators with wider availability may sail
as early as March or as late as October.
Teachers at Sea are not able to select which research cruise they join. Instead, the Teacher at Sea Program weighs participants’ availability and research preferences against NOAA research cruise projects and schedules to determine the best matches.
NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program is funded by the U.S. federal government. There is no fee to participate. Our program covers the travel costs for Teachers at Sea to and from their research cruises (including transportation, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses). Participants’ airfare is purchased directly by the program. All other expenses are reimbursed to the participants after travel ends.
What Do Teachers Do at Sea?
Teachers at Sea are considered members of the science crew. On board, they work at the instruction of the Chief Scientist, and, like all crewmembers, follow the command of the ship’s Commanding Officer or Captain. Depending on the nature of the research work, the Chief Scientist may assign the teacher to a regular 12-hour shift (including, potentially, overnight work. Ship and science operations happen 24/7.)
Specific activities at sea will differ by research mission. At the direction of the Chief Scientist, participants may assist in:
Deploying equipment
Baiting and setting traps or longlines
Handling fish and other marine organisms
Sorting, measuring, dissecting organisms
Recording data
Cleaning equipment
Monitoring video feeds
Sailing on smaller craft deployed from the main ship
Using computer programs
Participants on all missions will also participate in safety drills.
To get a better picture of these activities, check out
blog posts from previous Teachers at Sea
. Highlights include:
Fish dissection
on a reef fish survey
Pollock processing
on a pollock survey
Seabird observation
complementing a marine mammal survey
Deploying a buoy
during an oceanographic survey
Remotely operated vehicles
on an ocean exploration survey
Ship navigation
on a hydrographic survey
Multi-beam sonar
on a hydrographic survey
Ocean bottom sampling
on a hydrographic survey
What Are the Results?
External evaluations of NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program and the NOAA Teacher at Sea Alumni Association have found that, working together, the programs make "a tremendous impact locally, regionally, and nationally on science education teaching and learning and dissemination of NOAA-related science and resources."
How NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program Works
More Information
How to Apply
How to Apply
Who May Apply to be a Teacher at Sea?
Eligible
applicants must be:
U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
Full-time educators, formal or informal, of any grade level and subject
Employed currently
Planning to be employed in the same or similar capacity next year
Willing to fill out a health questionnaire for a medical review
Competitive
applicants must also be:
Effective communicators
Flexible, resilient, and able to follow orders
Excited to share NOAA science with their students
To reach the broadest possible audience, NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program accepts applications from educators of all grade levels and a variety of informal settings. These include pre-K-12 teachers; college or university instructors; museum, zoo, or aquarium educators; and teachers of adult education. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from part-time, substitute, or pre-service teachers, teaching assistants, or school administrators.
Applicants should have an exceptional ability to communicate complicated information and a particular interest in NOAA science. However, they do not need to be science teachers. Creative and interdisciplinary approaches can connect NOAA’s work to a wide range of subjects. Past Teachers at Sea have taught math, literature, history, social studies, art, and music in addition to science.
Image
How Do I Apply?
NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program uses an online application that is open during a 30-day application window in the fall. One month in advance, we share a
preview application
(PDF, 13 pages) to help interested applicants prepare. Once it is time to apply, applicants can create accounts in the online application and fill in the requested information and essay responses.
Applicants must also use our online application to request two recommendations, one from a supervisor and one from a colleague. The application will send emails directly to the provided contacts that contain requests for recommendations and instructions for submitting them.
When May I Apply?
Generally, we accept applications in late fall and notify selected finalists in early spring. Here is a typical timeline for Teacher at Sea Program operations:
October
-
Preview application
(PDF, 13 pages) available online
November
-
Applications (and recommendations) accepted through the Teacher at Sea Program
online application
.
Opens Wednesday, 11/19/25
Closes Friday, 12/12/25 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
December
- First round of review
January
- Second round of review and selection of finalists
February
- Notification of finalists
February to March
- Medical clearance of finalists
March to May
- Placement of cleared finalists (“participants”) on NOAA research surveys
March to September
- Teachers at Sea sail on NOAA research surveys
September to October
- Returned Teachers at Sea meet virtually with the Teacher at Sea Alumni Association Manager to discuss sailing experience and remaining program expectations
Teacher at Sea Program Application Process
What to Expect
What Is Required of Teachers at Sea?
Participants in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program must possess the following characteristics, which we refer to as the Three “F’s”: Flexibility, Fortitude, and the ability to Follow Orders.
Image
NOAA Teacher at Sea Staci DeSchryver taking notes. Credit: NOAA Teacher at Sea Program.
Flexibility
Participating in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program requires the ability to cope with uncertainty and change.
Flexibility
is crucial throughout the placement process, travel to the ship, and the experience of living and working at sea.
The cruise types, research topics, geographic locations, cruise lengths, and sailing schedules available to Teachers at Sea differ from year to year. We invite applicants to express their preferences in the application, but many factors constrain whether we are able to accommodate those preferences. Further, cruise schedules are subject to change throughout the season. Sailing plans are vulnerable to disruptions from weather, COVID cases, and mechanical, staffing, or funding issues. In the event of cruise cancellation, efforts will be made to reschedule the participant for a later mission, including possible postponement to the following field season. However, participation in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program is not guaranteed.
Traveling to and from the ship, Teachers at Sea may encounter flight delays or cancellations, luggage delays, or challenges with ground transportation. Changes to the cruise schedule often require last-minute revisions to travel plans. Teachers scheduled to embark from remote ports in Alaska or the Pacific Islands should be especially prepared for challenging travel.
Once a cruise embarks, flexibility is key to living and working at sea. Teachers at Sea must be able to handle variation in shift assignments and work loads, as well as sleeping and eating arrangements. (NOAA ships do their best to accommodate dietary restrictions, but planning ahead is advised.) Internet connections, and thus the ability to communicate easily with people on shore, are unreliable.
Fortitude
Life on a research vessel can be challenging, and Teachers at Sea must have physical and emotional
fortitude
. Members of the science crew (including the Teacher at Sea) are expected to work 12-hour days. Because ship time is limited and resource-intensive, work on a research vessel happens around the clock, 7 days per week. Participants may be assigned to work night shifts.
A certain level of physical function is necessary for living and working on a ship, participating in safety drills, and responding to emergencies. For example, participants must be able to stand on steel decks for hours at a time and walk on slippery or uneven surfaces. They must be able to climb stairs and ladders and carry at least 15 pounds. Everything that happens on a ship, from working to eating to exercising to typing, happens while the ship is rocking back and forth in varying ocean conditions.
Fisheries surveys in particular require physical adeptness and endurance. Participants on a fisheries survey may be expected to help deploy and retrieve traps, empty nets, set and haul in longlines, sort fish, and clean equipment. Working with fish is messy, dirty, and odorous.
The Ability to Follow Orders
Every person working on a government vessel is under the command of the ship's Commanding Officer. In order to maintain safety and structure, those who board NOAA or NOAA-partnered ships must be willing to
follow the orders
of the Commanding Officer (or Captain).
Teachers at Sea are also considered members of the science party. They are expected to take part in the tasks assigned by the Chief Scientist.
What Are the Teacher’s Responsibilities?
Teachers at Sea must fulfill several program requirements prior to, during, and after their cruises.
Major requirements include:
Completing an online training course
Drafting 3–4 blog posts per week while at sea or upon return
Creating and submitting one lesson plan related to the science of the research mission
Creating and submitting one lesson plan, activity, or product (e.g. brochure) about ocean-related careers
Submitting an article for publication or delivering a presentation the mission at an educators' conference or for colleagues
Responding to a post-cruise survey
Teacher at Sea Program Requirements and Responsibilities
Meet NOAA Teachers at Sea
2026
Amelia Black
Image
Amelia Black teaches pre-K through 5th graders learning English as a Second Language at Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet in Topeka, Kansas.
Krista Fleming
Image
Krista Fleming teaches environmental science and marine biology at Gulf Shores High School in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Amanda Freeman
Image
Amanda Freeman teaches biology at Lewisville High School in Richburg, South Carolina.
Amber LaMonte
Image
Amber LaMonte teaches marine and environmental science at York High School in Yorktown, Virginia.
Stacey Morris
Image
Stacey Morris teaches Spanish at Churchill High School in Eugene, Oregon.
Jo Slavitz
Image
Jo Slavitz teaches science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at Dover Middle School in Dover, New Hampshire.
Guy Sturdevant
Image
Guy Sturdevant teaches chemistry, earth science, and ecology at Wichita Northwest High School in Wichita, Kansas.
Cheyanne Vanderdonckt
Image
Cheyanne Vanderdonckt teaches 1st and 2nd grade special education at Moravia Park Elementary in Baltimore, Maryland.
Melina Vella
Image
Melina Vella is an interpretive naturalist at the Dupont Nature Center in Milford, Delaware.
Sabrina Whitaker
Image
Sabrina Whitaker teaches physics at Farmingdale High School in Farmingdale, New York.
Jennifer Widdig
Image
Jennifer Widdig teaches animal and environmental science at Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center in Chillicothe, Ohio.
2025 Season
NOAA's 2025 Teacher at Sea Field Station
2024 Season
NOAA’s 2024 Teacher at Sea Field Season
Past Seasons
To meet previous Teachers at Sea, visit the
NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog
or explore our
Alumni Story Map
.
For three decades, teachers from around the nation have assisted NOAA scientists in conducting vital research at sea through NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program. Key to their experience is learning how NOAA keeps crew and scientists safe. In this then-and-now comparison, teachers Virginia Figura (left) and Callie Harris (right) try on survival suits (nicknamed 'gumby' suits for their shape) — 26 years apart. Virginia sailed on now-decommissioned NOAA Ship Miller Freeman in 1993, while Callie sailed on NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson in 2019.
Alumni
Teachers at Sea who have successfully completed their cruise and post-cruise requirements are invited to join the
Teacher at Sea Alumni Association
. Working with NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program, the Association provides high-quality professional development experiences and valuable networking events for returned Teachers at Sea. These opportunities bridge the teachers’ experiences at sea to further engagement with NOAA and NOAA resources.
Since 2011, the Teacher at Sea Alumni Association has been managed by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
Meet our alumni and learn more about their post-cruise activities
Teacher at Sea alumni try their hand at rowing a historic longboat at the Maritime Museum of San Diego during the Southwest Teacher at Sea Alumni Workshop in 2017. Credit: NOAA Teacher at Sea.
Meet NOAA's Teachers at Sea
More Information
2025 NOAA Teacher at Sea Year in Review
Teacher at Sea: By the Numbers
NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog
Meet Our Alumni and Explore their Post-Cruise Activities
Documents
Document
Teacher at Sea: By the Numbers
Explore more information about the Teacher at Sea Program, including a breakdown of the number of…
National
Document
2025 NOAA Teacher at Sea Year in Review
Explore the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program 2025 Year in Review, celebrating 35 years of science and…
National
Document
2024 NOAA Teacher at Sea Year in Review
Read more about the work of NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program and the Teacher at Sea Alumni Association…
National
Document
2023 NOAA Teacher at Sea Year in Review
Read more about the work of NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program and the Teacher at Sea Alumni Association…
National
More Documents
Research
2024 Northeast Summer Ecosystem Monitoring Cruise Completed
A delayed start, good coverage of planned stations in the northern survey area, dropped stations in the south.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
More Research
Outreach & Education
Educational Materials
Discovering Our Ocean and Atmosphere with the NOAA Teacher at Sea Book Series
Unit of five lesson plans which correspond with the NOAA Teacher at Sea children's science books.
National
Educational Materials
Mr. Tanenbaum Explores Atlantic Fisheries on the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
Read a PDF version of our 2009 children's science book.
West Coast
Educational Materials
Mrs. Armwood's Hydrographic Adventure on the NOAA Ship Fairweather
Read a PDF version of our 2007 children's science book.
Alaska
Educational Materials
Dr. Diane's Flight with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters
Read a PDF version of our 2006 children's science book.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
More Outreach Materials
More Educational Materials
Skip to main content
Teacher at Sea Program
Teacher at Sea Program
NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program offers educators a unique opportunity to join NOAA scientists aboard an ocean research vessel as a member of the science team.
NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program offers educators a unique opportunity to join NOAA scientists aboard an ocean research vessel as a member of the science team. Since 1990, more than 850 teachers have sailed on NOAA surveys monitoring our nation’s fisheries, measuring physical and chemical ocean trends, and charting unknown regions of the seafloor.
Participants return to their classrooms with first-hand accounts of what it’s like to live and work at sea, illustrated by photos, blogs, and lesson plans. Their personal connections to NOAA’s science and stewardship help Teachers at Sea communicate the importance of NOAA’s mission to communities across the nation.
Image
NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson. Credit: NOAA Teacher at Sea Program.
Featured News
Feature Story
Beyond the Horizon: the Drifter that Returned from Sea
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Feature Story
Teacher at Sea Kicks off the Year Early with January Marine Mammal Survey
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Feature Story
Teachers Help Tell the Story of Pollock in a Changing Bering Sea
Alaska
Podcast
Sharing a Love of Teaching (and Oysters)
New England/Mid-Atlantic
View More News
More Information
2025 NOAA Teacher at Sea Year in Review
Teacher at Sea: By the Numbers
Contact Us: Teacher at Sea Program
Teacher at Sea Facebook
Teacher at Sea Instagram
FACT
850 Teachers at Sea
Since 1990, more than 850 educators have sailed as Teachers at Sea on NOAA or NOAA-partnered vessels.
FACT
50 States and 4 Territories
NOAA Teachers at Sea have come from every state, as well as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the District of Columbia.
FACT
118,000 Research Hours
Over the years, NOAA Teachers at Sea have spent a total of nearly 10,000 days at sea, assisting NOAA and NOAA-partnered scientists with more than 118,000 hours of ocean-based research.
FACT
3,200 Science Blog Posts
NOAA Teachers at Sea have written more than 3,200 posts about science at sea for the NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog.
Show me another fact
NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog
NOAA Teachers at Sea write blog posts to share their experiences at sea with their students and communities. Check out the NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog to read logs going back to 2003 and search the collection of more than 25,000 photos.
NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog
Teacher at Sea Alumni Association
The Teacher at Sea Alumni Association is composed of educators from across the United States who have successfully completed their NOAA Teacher at Sea research cruise. The Association provides valuable networking opportunities and high-quality professional development experiences for these exceptional educational leaders.
Teacher at Sea Alumni Association
Meet the NOAA Ship Fleet
NOAA operates a wide assortment of hydrographic survey, oceanographic research and fisheries survey vessels. These vessels are operated by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. Learn how NOAA research and survey ships support safe navigation, commerce, and resource management.
Meet the NOAA Ship Fleet
NOAA Education
The NOAA Education Portal combines learning and teaching resources about the ocean and atmosphere. Discover curricula, lesson plans, and real-time data to bring NOAA science into your classroom. Explore opportunities for educators and students of all levels. Apply for competitive funding for education projects.
NOAA Education
Multimedia
NOAA Fisheries Video Gallery
Podcast
Sharing a Love of Teaching (and Oysters)
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Podcast
Shark Surveys and Lesson Plans: A Multitasking Teacher at Sea
Southeast
National
Video
30 Years of New Frontiers: Why Send Teachers to Sea?
National
How the Program Works
How Does the Teacher at Sea Program Work?
Teacher at Sea Sian Proctor holding a pollock. Credit: NOAA Teacher at Sea Program.
Teachers at Sea sail aboard NOAA, NOAA-contracted, or NOAA-partnered ships conducting ocean-related research projects. Some projects involve the annual or biennial collection of data for long-term observations, while others represent shorter term studies or unique collaborations. The potential projects vary from year to year, depending on NOAA’s research schedule and berth availability. However, they generally fall into three main categories:
Fisheries research cruises
perform biological and physical surveys to ensure sustainable fisheries and healthy marine habitats
Oceanographic research cruises
perform physical science studies to increase our understanding of the world's oceans and climate
Hydrographic survey cruises
scan the coastal sea floor to locate submerged obstructions and navigational hazards for the creation and update of the nation's nautical charts
Note:
In 2026, we anticipate that the majority of our sailing opportunities will be on fisheries research cruises.
NOAA research cruises typically spend 2–4 weeks at sea between port calls. Teachers at Sea have sailed on survey legs as short as 7 days and as long as 30 days; the average opportunity is 16 days at sea. Teachers at Sea need to plan on additional days for travel to and from the ship and, when necessary, for complying with COVID testing or quarantining protocols. Most Teachers at Sea sail on surveys that align with their summer vacation, but educators with wider availability may sail
as early as March or as late as October.
Teachers at Sea are not able to select which research cruise they join. Instead, the Teacher at Sea Program weighs participants’ availability and research preferences against NOAA research cruise projects and schedules to determine the best matches.
NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program is funded by the U.S. federal government. There is no fee to participate. Our program covers the travel costs for Teachers at Sea to and from their research cruises (including transportation, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses). Participants’ airfare is purchased directly by the program. All other expenses are reimbursed to the participants after travel ends.
What Do Teachers Do at Sea?
Teachers at Sea are considered members of the science crew. On board, they work at the instruction of the Chief Scientist, and, like all crewmembers, follow the command of the ship’s Commanding Officer or Captain. Depending on the nature of the research work, the Chief Scientist may assign the teacher to a regular 12-hour shift (including, potentially, overnight work. Ship and science operations happen 24/7.)
Specific activities at sea will differ by research mission. At the direction of the Chief Scientist, participants may assist in:
Deploying equipment
Baiting and setting traps or longlines
Handling fish and other marine organisms
Sorting, measuring, dissecting organisms
Recording data
Cleaning equipment
Monitoring video feeds
Sailing on smaller craft deployed from the main ship
Using computer programs
Participants on all missions will also participate in safety drills.
To get a better picture of these activities, check out
blog posts from previous Teachers at Sea
. Highlights include:
Fish dissection
on a reef fish survey
Pollock processing
on a pollock survey
Seabird observation
complementing a marine mammal survey
Deploying a buoy
during an oceanographic survey
Remotely operated vehicles
on an ocean exploration survey
Ship navigation
on a hydrographic survey
Multi-beam sonar
on a hydrographic survey
Ocean bottom sampling
on a hydrographic survey
What Are the Results?
External evaluations of NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program and the NOAA Teacher at Sea Alumni Association have found that, working together, the programs make "a tremendous impact locally, regionally, and nationally on science education teaching and learning and dissemination of NOAA-related science and resources."
How NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program Works
More Information
How to Apply
How to Apply
Who May Apply to be a Teacher at Sea?
Eligible
applicants must be:
U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
Full-time educators, formal or informal, of any grade level and subject
Employed currently
Planning to be employed in the same or similar capacity next year
Willing to fill out a health questionnaire for a medical review
Competitive
applicants must also be:
Effective communicators
Flexible, resilient, and able to follow orders
Excited to share NOAA science with their students
To reach the broadest possible audience, NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program accepts applications from educators of all grade levels and a variety of informal settings. These include pre-K-12 teachers; college or university instructors; museum, zoo, or aquarium educators; and teachers of adult education. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from part-time, substitute, or pre-service teachers, teaching assistants, or school administrators.
Applicants should have an exceptional ability to communicate complicated information and a particular interest in NOAA science. However, they do not need to be science teachers. Creative and interdisciplinary approaches can connect NOAA’s work to a wide range of subjects. Past Teachers at Sea have taught math, literature, history, social studies, art, and music in addition to science.
Image
How Do I Apply?
NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program uses an online application that is open during a 30-day application window in the fall. One month in advance, we share a
preview application
(PDF, 13 pages) to help interested applicants prepare. Once it is time to apply, applicants can create accounts in the online application and fill in the requested information and essay responses.
Applicants must also use our online application to request two recommendations, one from a supervisor and one from a colleague. The application will send emails directly to the provided contacts that contain requests for recommendations and instructions for submitting them.
When May I Apply?
Generally, we accept applications in late fall and notify selected finalists in early spring. Here is a typical timeline for Teacher at Sea Program operations:
October
-
Preview application
(PDF, 13 pages) available online
November
-
Applications (and recommendations) accepted through the Teacher at Sea Program
online application
.
Opens Wednesday, 11/19/25
Closes Friday, 12/12/25 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
December
- First round of review
January
- Second round of review and selection of finalists
February
- Notification of finalists
February to March
- Medical clearance of finalists
March to May
- Placement of cleared finalists (“participants”) on NOAA research surveys
March to September
- Teachers at Sea sail on NOAA research surveys
September to October
- Returned Teachers at Sea meet virtually with the Teacher at Sea Alumni Association Manager to discuss sailing experience and remaining program expectations
Teacher at Sea Program Application Process
What to Expect
What Is Required of Teachers at Sea?
Participants in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program must possess the following characteristics, which we refer to as the Three “F’s”: Flexibility, Fortitude, and the ability to Follow Orders.
Image
NOAA Teacher at Sea Staci DeSchryver taking notes. Credit: NOAA Teacher at Sea Program.
Flexibility
Participating in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program requires the ability to cope with uncertainty and change.
Flexibility
is crucial throughout the placement process, travel to the ship, and the experience of living and working at sea.
The cruise types, research topics, geographic locations, cruise lengths, and sailing schedules available to Teachers at Sea differ from year to year. We invite applicants to express their preferences in the application, but many factors constrain whether we are able to accommodate those preferences. Further, cruise schedules are subject to change throughout the season. Sailing plans are vulnerable to disruptions from weather, COVID cases, and mechanical, staffing, or funding issues. In the event of cruise cancellation, efforts will be made to reschedule the participant for a later mission, including possible postponement to the following field season. However, participation in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program is not guaranteed.
Traveling to and from the ship, Teachers at Sea may encounter flight delays or cancellations, luggage delays, or challenges with ground transportation. Changes to the cruise schedule often require last-minute revisions to travel plans. Teachers scheduled to embark from remote ports in Alaska or the Pacific Islands should be especially prepared for challenging travel.
Once a cruise embarks, flexibility is key to living and working at sea. Teachers at Sea must be able to handle variation in shift assignments and work loads, as well as sleeping and eating arrangements. (NOAA ships do their best to accommodate dietary restrictions, but planning ahead is advised.) Internet connections, and thus the ability to communicate easily with people on shore, are unreliable.
Fortitude
Life on a research vessel can be challenging, and Teachers at Sea must have physical and emotional
fortitude
. Members of the science crew (including the Teacher at Sea) are expected to work 12-hour days. Because ship time is limited and resource-intensive, work on a research vessel happens around the clock, 7 days per week. Participants may be assigned to work night shifts.
A certain level of physical function is necessary for living and working on a ship, participating in safety drills, and responding to emergencies. For example, participants must be able to stand on steel decks for hours at a time and walk on slippery or uneven surfaces. They must be able to climb stairs and ladders and carry at least 15 pounds. Everything that happens on a ship, from working to eating to exercising to typing, happens while the ship is rocking back and forth in varying ocean conditions.
Fisheries surveys in particular require physical adeptness and endurance. Participants on a fisheries survey may be expected to help deploy and retrieve traps, empty nets, set and haul in longlines, sort fish, and clean equipment. Working with fish is messy, dirty, and odorous.
The Ability to Follow Orders
Every person working on a government vessel is under the command of the ship's Commanding Officer. In order to maintain safety and structure, those who board NOAA or NOAA-partnered ships must be willing to
follow the orders
of the Commanding Officer (or Captain).
Teachers at Sea are also considered members of the science party. They are expected to take part in the tasks assigned by the Chief Scientist.
What Are the Teacher’s Responsibilities?
Teachers at Sea must fulfill several program requirements prior to, during, and after their cruises.
Major requirements include:
Completing an online training course
Drafting 3–4 blog posts per week while at sea or upon return
Creating and submitting one lesson plan related to the science of the research mission
Creating and submitting one lesson plan, activity, or product (e.g. brochure) about ocean-related careers
Submitting an article for publication or delivering a presentation the mission at an educators' conference or for colleagues
Responding to a post-cruise survey
Teacher at Sea Program Requirements and Responsibilities
Meet NOAA Teachers at Sea
2026
Amelia Black
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Amelia Black teaches pre-K through 5th graders learning English as a Second Language at Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet in Topeka, Kansas.
Krista Fleming
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Krista Fleming teaches environmental science and marine biology at Gulf Shores High School in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Amanda Freeman
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Amanda Freeman teaches biology at Lewisville High School in Richburg, South Carolina.
Amber LaMonte
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Amber LaMonte teaches marine and environmental science at York High School in Yorktown, Virginia.
Stacey Morris
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Stacey Morris teaches Spanish at Churchill High School in Eugene, Oregon.
Jo Slavitz
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Jo Slavitz teaches science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at Dover Middle School in Dover, New Hampshire.
Guy Sturdevant
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Guy Sturdevant teaches chemistry, earth science, and ecology at Wichita Northwest High School in Wichita, Kansas.
Cheyanne Vanderdonckt
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Cheyanne Vanderdonckt teaches 1st and 2nd grade special education at Moravia Park Elementary in Baltimore, Maryland.
Melina Vella
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Melina Vella is an interpretive naturalist at the Dupont Nature Center in Milford, Delaware.
Sabrina Whitaker
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Sabrina Whitaker teaches physics at Farmingdale High School in Farmingdale, New York.
Jennifer Widdig
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Jennifer Widdig teaches animal and environmental science at Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center in Chillicothe, Ohio.
2025 Season
NOAA's 2025 Teacher at Sea Field Station
2024 Season
NOAA’s 2024 Teacher at Sea Field Season
Past Seasons
To meet previous Teachers at Sea, visit the
NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog
or explore our
Alumni Story Map
.
For three decades, teachers from around the nation have assisted NOAA scientists in conducting vital research at sea through NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program. Key to their experience is learning how NOAA keeps crew and scientists safe. In this then-and-now comparison, teachers Virginia Figura (left) and Callie Harris (right) try on survival suits (nicknamed 'gumby' suits for their shape) — 26 years apart. Virginia sailed on now-decommissioned NOAA Ship Miller Freeman in 1993, while Callie sailed on NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson in 2019.
Alumni
Teachers at Sea who have successfully completed their cruise and post-cruise requirements are invited to join the
Teacher at Sea Alumni Association
. Working with NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program, the Association provides high-quality professional development experiences and valuable networking events for returned Teachers at Sea. These opportunities bridge the teachers’ experiences at sea to further engagement with NOAA and NOAA resources.
Since 2011, the Teacher at Sea Alumni Association has been managed by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
Meet our alumni and learn more about their post-cruise activities
Teacher at Sea alumni try their hand at rowing a historic longboat at the Maritime Museum of San Diego during the Southwest Teacher at Sea Alumni Workshop in 2017. Credit: NOAA Teacher at Sea.
Meet NOAA's Teachers at Sea
More Information
2025 NOAA Teacher at Sea Year in Review
Teacher at Sea: By the Numbers
NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog
Meet Our Alumni and Explore their Post-Cruise Activities
Documents
Document
Teacher at Sea: By the Numbers
Explore more information about the Teacher at Sea Program, including a breakdown of the number of…
National
Document
2025 NOAA Teacher at Sea Year in Review
Explore the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program 2025 Year in Review, celebrating 35 years of science and…
National
Document
2024 NOAA Teacher at Sea Year in Review
Read more about the work of NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program and the Teacher at Sea Alumni Association…
National
Document
2023 NOAA Teacher at Sea Year in Review
Read more about the work of NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program and the Teacher at Sea Alumni Association…
National
More Documents
Research
2024 Northeast Summer Ecosystem Monitoring Cruise Completed
A delayed start, good coverage of planned stations in the northern survey area, dropped stations in the south.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
More Research
Outreach & Education
Educational Materials
Discovering Our Ocean and Atmosphere with the NOAA Teacher at Sea Book Series
Unit of five lesson plans which correspond with the NOAA Teacher at Sea children's science books.
National
Educational Materials
Mr. Tanenbaum Explores Atlantic Fisheries on the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
Read a PDF version of our 2009 children's science book.
West Coast
Educational Materials
Mrs. Armwood's Hydrographic Adventure on the NOAA Ship Fairweather
Read a PDF version of our 2007 children's science book.
Alaska
Educational Materials
Dr. Diane's Flight with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters
Read a PDF version of our 2006 children's science book.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
More Outreach Materials
More Educational Materials