Teachers Study Real Ocean Cores to Bring Science to Students

Teachers who usually explain ocean science from textbooks recently got their hands dirty with the real thing: muddy core samples pulled from the ocean floor by one of the world's most famous research vessels.

Last August, educators from across the United States and beyond gathered at Texas A&M University's Gulf Coast Repository for the first Ocean Core Teacher-Researcher and Curriculum Experience (TRACX). For one intense week, they worked alongside scientists using the same equipment that once lived aboard the JOIDES Resolution, a research ship that explored ocean depths from 1985 to 2024.

The program paired teachers with scientists to analyze geological data and interpret actual ocean core samples. Their mission was clear: turn authentic research into lessons students could understand and get excited about.

"It made me feel like I was part of real scientific discovery rather than just learning about it," said Ohio educator Peggy Busker-Postlethwait. For Atlanta teacher Shelley Seagraves, the experience built confidence in guiding students through real data analysis instead of simplified textbook versions.

The impact reaches far beyond summer learning. Alaska teacher Luzviminda Dinglasan brought the experience back to her rural school, showing students that location doesn't limit scientific contribution. In New York City, Alejandro Mundo is helping urban students connect global ocean research to their own communities.

The program even crossed oceans. Italian teachers Matteo Cattadori and Nicola Gretter later presented their TRACX experience at a science festival in Italy, spreading the collaborative model internationally.

The Ripple Effect

Scientists gained as much as teachers. Mentor Jeremy Deans watched educators jump into data collection and develop original curriculum, renewing his faith in teaching and helping him better understand his own students.

While the JOIDES Resolution has retired after nearly four decades of service, TRACX ensures its legacy continues. The cores it collected and the instruments it carried now serve a new purpose: inspiring the next generation of ocean scientists through teachers who've experienced the real thing.

Funded by the U.S. Science Support Program and National Science Foundation, the initiative proves that when teachers experience authentic research, students everywhere get to experience the wonder of discovery.