Education & Outreach

The OECI brings together high-caliber, multidisciplinary expertise to engage beyond our individual institutions on priority issues facing our ocean.

In addition to meeting key exploration benchmarks, OECI activities are intended to inspire the next generation of ocean explorers, scientists and engineers; educate students about ocean exploration; increase opportunities for individuals from under-represented groups; and encourage university students and early career professionals to participate in ocean exploration activities. Central to these education and outreach activities is the partnership between OECI partners, the University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Marine Education Center (MEC), and minority serving institutions, such as Tuskegee University (TU), to engage under-represented and underserved faculty, students, and publics in ocean exploration and research.


OECI institutions place a high priority on engaging with the public, K-12, undergraduate, and graduate student populations, as well as other stakeholders to facilitate and augment research efforts and broaden the reach of research results to local, national, and global scientific and non-scientific communities. Every OECI collaborating partner has a well-earned reputation for connecting its exploration results, science, and technological innovations with decision makers, educational institutions, the press, and the general public.


Engage with the excitement of ocean exploration activities through partners’ websites and social media. Follow OECI expeditions and updates at: