Download a short brochure about the Ocean for Life program (1.8 MB)

Background Information
The problems that face the ocean today cross national boundaries and require global solutions.

Photo: Seaberry Nachbar/NOAA

Ocean for Life: An Ocean Science Initiative for Multinational Students is an integrated solution that brings together diverse high school students to better understand the global ocean, each other’s cultures and societies, thereby building a strong foundation for tomorrow’s global leaders. The program is a collaboration between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, U.S. State Department, GLOBE Program, Scubanauts International, Meridian International Center, National Geographic Society, American University’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking, and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

Photo: Claire Fackler/NOAA

High school students from Western countries will participate alongside high school students selected from GLOBE schools within the Greater Middle East, totaling thirty students for each two-week field study. Together, this diverse group of students will learn more about the unique qualities of national marine sanctuaries and the importance of the ocean to our planet. Within the context of this immersive two-week field experience at a U.S. national marine sanctuary, the Ocean for Life program will foster cross-cultural learning, appreciation, and relationships through exploration of how the ocean affects and connects us all.

Photo: Claire Fackler/NOAA

The Ocean for Life field studies consist of collaborative ocean research expeditions, exploration, scholastic achievement, and an all-encompassing sense of wonder, while also allowing students from different countries to connect through common experiences and forge cross-cultural bonds. We anticipate that the program will help participants gain a meaningful understanding of our global relationships, provide perspectives that will remain for a lifetime, and be a formative experience for our future leaders. Fostering a better understanding of the environment, each other, and how we are all connected by one global ocean, is an excellent method to establish and strengthen our cross-cultural relationships.

Download a flyer about the Ocean for Life program.

Eligibility Requirements
To apply, each student must:
• be in high school (ages 14-18);
• be able to swim;
• be proficient in the English language; and
• be willing to participate in future program aspects, e.g. virtual conferences, and mentorship of future program participants.

Participant Benefits
Students will:
• participate in a 10-day immersive field study in one of America’s national marine sanctuaries;
• participate in a 3-day visit to Washington, DC, which may include a visit to the White House, National Capitol, Smithsonian’s Sant Ocean Hall, and more;
• learn about the interconnectedness of the world’s ocean and how their local actions impact the ocean no matter where they live;
• build relationships with peers from different countries and cultures, and gain a better understanding of their differences;
• be immersed in classroom, lab, and field activities that raise awareness of the natural world and their connection to it;
• gain a better understanding of the scientific process and gain a deeper understanding of marine sciences; and
• work with mentors to learn how to use still and video cameras to photo document their field experience and develop “youth media projects.”

Covered by the Ocean for Life Program
All students will receive:
• round-trip travel expenses;
• dorm-style accommodations and most meals during the field study; and
• educational resources and materials from NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, GLOBE Program, and National Geographic Society.

Requirements of Participation
Students will be required to:
• attend all classroom, lab, and field sessions;
• participate in on-site and future assessments of the Ocean for Life program;
• be mentors for future Ocean for Life participants;
• work with their teachers and schools to ensure participation in long-term program;
• conduct at least two presentations to any of the following audiences: classmates/school, community, or conference in their home country; and
• submit an article to local newspaper and/or television station about the program and their personal experience.

How to Apply
1. Download and print the attached application.
2. Complete all sections of the application in black pen or typewriting.
3. Print two (2) copies of the Reference Form (Section IV), then fill out PART I and give one of each to your two adult references (non-relatives) to complete PART 2 and return to you in a sealed envelope.
4. Make sure you and your parent/guardian read and sign the last page of the application (Section V).
5. Return a copy of the completed application by 5:00 PM on February 27, 2009 to:

Claire Fackler
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
735 State Street, Suite 617
Santa Barbara, California 93101
Phone: (805) 963-3238 ext. 18
Email: claire.fackler@noaa.gov