Bermuda Program Interns Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of our Bermuda Program Intern profiles! Eliza, Phoebe, and Alice are three wonderful interns are working with Kaitlin Baird, the Assistant Director of Science Education Programs at BIOS, to help run the Marine Science Internship for local high school students.  These three Bermuda Program Interns help make everything run smoothly by teaching, assisting when needed, and leading science dives. 

The Marine Science Internship (MSI) program targets high school students aged 15+ who are interested in pursuing college-level studies in ocean science. This two-week internship provides participants with resume-building experience and practical training in scientific diving techniques. MSI interns learn statistical analysis procedures, standard laboratory protocols, and have the opportunity to fine-tune the SCUBA skills necessary to conduct marine science research.

Read more about the Program, http://www.bios.edu/education/marine-science-internship/

Meet Eliza!

Through her BIOS Volunteer Internship, Eliza is combining her love for Marine Science with her studies in Business and Marketing at Wake Forest University.  Learn how here:

1. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS to a non-scientific person?

After completing MSI in 2011 and 2012, I returned in 2013 to help Kaitlin out by leading dives and helping her in the classroom. In 2014, I was hired as Kaitlin's Bermuda Program Intern to help with the MSI program and now I am back again this summer. One particular project Kaitlin has put me in charge of is MSI social media. I take photos during our dives and then sort through them, posting some on Facebook, and pulling others for use in the classroom.

2. What did you hope to gain or learn from your internship, and did you achieve this?

From this internship I hoped to further reinforce my understanding of the basic Marine Science research methods and learn more about the education programs at BIOS. I feel as if my understanding of Marine Science concepts has most certainly been reinforced as I have had to help others comprehend different survey methods, fish species, coral species and the anthropogenic impacts on the ocean. Additionally, since I have had to help Kaitlin with some of the instruction, I definitely feel as if I have gained more knowledge of the educational aspect of BIOS. 

3. Has anything in particular impressed you while you have been at BIOS?

 Among the many things I have been impressed with during my time at BIOS, I have to say that Kaitlin has impressed me the most. After being with her for the past five summers, I have seen her growth both as an educator and a scientist. She not only is full of knowledge and creative ideas, but she is incredibly easy to work with and to get along with. She knows exactly the perfect combination of work and fun and her incredible organizational and presentation skills make the MSI Program a resounding success.

4. Has your time at BIOS changed your thoughts on what you might want to do in the future?

 Although I am currently on a Pre-Business track at Wake Forest University, my time at BIOS has encouraged me to explore the ways in which I can combine my passion for Marine Science with my studies in Business and Marketing.

5. What do you like about the Bermuda Program?

 I personally believe that the Bermuda Program is one of the best programs at this institution. It provides young scientists and students alike with the lab and work experience that is a crucial part of their education, and a foundation for their work in the future.

 

6. If you could sum up your internship in three words, what would they be?

Exposure, education, enjoyment

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Meet Phoebe!

Phoebe is going into her second year at the University of Southampton in the UK, where she is working towards a Masters in Marine Biology.  Phoebe was first introduced to BIOS when she was 15 and a student in the Marine Science Internship.  This year, she was chosen to be an intern in the Bermuda Program, and is now working as part of the team running the Marine Science Internship program. 

1. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS?


I’m working in the Education Department of BIOS under my mentor Kaitlin Baird. Specifically I am working as a supervisory diver/assistant teacher in the Marine Science Internship (MSI), which is a program for high school students who have previous qualifications in diving, but don't have much experience in science diving or research.   In two-weeks we teach students different underwater surveying methods, how to collect samples and data sets, and how to process their own data.  So not only does it help them advance their diving, like it helped me when I did my Marine Science Internship, but it also exposes them to how we process data at BIOS. Right now I'm also doing an independent project on identifying algae and creating a document that assists people in recognizing the different types of algae.

2.   What did you hope to gain or learn from your internship, and did you achieve this?


I wanted to gain experience in teaching diving. I’ve helped teach younger kids in environmental camps since I was 12, so now that I'm 18 I wanted to use my educational knowledge and ability to teach in order to give back to the community.  I also gained my rescue diver and Emergency O₂ qualifications this summer, which provides me with the skills to help any divers in distress.

3.  Has anything in particular impressed you while you have been at BIOS?

Kaitlin, my mentor, has been absolutely amazing.  She has gone above and beyond what she needs to do.  Kaitlin makes it so easy for us to just jump in on the first day and really feel comfortable helping the new interns.

4.  Has your time at BIOS changed your thoughts on what you might want to do in the future?

It made it more specific.  I always knew I wanted to work in marine biology but now I know I want to work in coral reef conservation, and hopefully come back and work here.

5.    Would you recommend an internship at BIOS?

I began my experience with BIOS when I was a pupil in the Marine Science Internship, and I would highly recommend doing that and then moving on to becoming a Bermuda Program Intern like I have. This gives anybody who wants to study and work in marine biology an amazing head start to their career, because you get the rare opportunity to do hands on work and research. Additionally I feel that the Bermuda Program is an invaluable resource for our Bermudian community because it gives people who want to study marine biology the opportunity to stay local, and make a difference protecting our waters.  I’ve benefitted from the funding that these programs get, and they make a world of difference to people like me.

If you had to choose some words to describe your BIOS experience, what would they be and why?

·      Rewarding – the young adults who come usually leave with a smile on their face, and look forward to doing more research in the future.  It proves that education isn’t boring.  It’s fun. 

·      Opportunity – because I would’ve never had this opportunity anywhere else.   It helped me learn so much more about Bermudian ecology and the state of Bermuda right now, which really helped me confirm that this is what I want to do, and that I want to stay here. 

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Meet Alice!  Alice is in her last year at The Hotckiss School in Connecticut.  The ocean has captivated Alice since she was young, and she is enjoying her internship at BIOS helping in the Marine Science Internship Program. 

1.  How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS?

 I am currently working in the BIOS Education Department with the Marine Science Internship. I am helping Kaitlin to organize the program in the field and in the lab. Throughout the internship we go out and survey different ecosystems, and help to teach the MSI group about conducting research and data input and analysis. 

2.  What did you hope to gain or learn from your internship, and did you achieve this?

In order to help Kaitlin with MSI, I had to obtain my Rescue Diver certification. This certification, along with leading small groups of divers during MSI, has really helped me develop as a young diver. I have also gained experience in the field of education through understanding the importance of organization, enthusiasm and safety. Through reinforcing the information that Kaitlin presents to the interns, I obtain a better grasp of it. I hoped to further acquire a mix of educational and scientific understanding and I feel that MSI has really helped me in doing so. 

3.  Has anything in particular impressed you while you have been at BIOS?

 BIOS has always seemed like a large facility to me.  However, I have come to know it as a small community.  The BIOS staff around me, although very busy most of the time, are not only familiar with one another, but noticeably affable with those around them. Specifically, I have been impressed by Kaitlin. She has so many tasks that she needs to address, however, through her efficiency and positive manner, she not only proficiently executes these tasks but also maintains her optimistic attitude and the attitudes of those around her. Knowledgeable in both education and science, Kaitlin is the perfect teacher for young, interested interns. 

4.  Has your time at BIOS changed your thoughts on what you might want to do in the future?

Growing up in Bermuda, I have always been captivated by the ocean. I know that I will always be interested in Marine Biology and it is certainly a field of work that I am considering. After my time at BIOS last summer as a member of the Marine Science Internship and an aide to Kaitlin and the program, I realized that I want to work with people. Regardless of what I do in the future, I would like to be surrounded by people as I have been at BIOS.

5. What do you like about BIOS?

For locals, BIOS is a great place to try to understand the ocean that envelops the island on which we live. For overseas interns, BIOS is a wonderful resource to explore unfamiliar and diverse waters. It is the ideal facility for a young and curious person interested in marine science, like myself and many other interns at BIOS. As an educational institution, BIOS encourages learning and curiosity.  Any internship at BIOS involves science and education in one way or another; through lectures offered in Hanson Hall, learning from other scientists, or sharing your own knowledge. 

6.  If you could sum up your internship in three words, what would they be?

Stimulating, opportunity, community 

  

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Keep checking back to learn more about other Bermuda Program Interns!