An interview with Mikaela Pitre:
As a child, I spent my summers in Santa Cruz, California, where I could attend Marine Science camps at the Long Marine Lab in the University of Santa Cruz’s Seymour Center. Subsequently, I attended the summer program Camp Sea Lab on the Schooner Seaward, in association with California State Monterey University. During the summer of 2015, while with Camp Sea Lab, I helped to collect and assess samples of water from the Monterey Bay, specifically to test for the amounts of plastic particles in the bay. Though not required by Camp Sea Lab, out of curiosity, I wanted to follow up on the results of the water samples. I was directed to Acadia Institute of Oceanography (AIO) in Maine. With a recommendation from my high school Biology teacher, I was fortunate to get into AIO for their advanced summer program in 2016. During my time at AIO, we were given the opportunity to tour one of three local colleges, and I chose Maine Maritime Academy(MMA). Now as a student of MMA I have the opportunity to attain a dual degree in Marine Biology and Small Vessel Operations. This will allow me to study the world’s oceans in more depth, and it will provide opportunities for me to operate and navigate boats. I can then share with others what I’ve learned, through my education, and my work in the field of Marine Biology.
If you or someone you know is interested in having a middle-schooler participate in Voyage Seaward, see the dates for summer 2019 and register here! Space is limited.
Generous youth scholarship funding provided by Bay Delta Maritime
Mikaela Pitre as a Teen Participant on Voyage Seaward
