Spelman College is collaborating with OceanX to increase representation of Black people in marine science research and education.

Statistics demonstrate that only six percent of American life science workers are Black and brown, thus emphasizing the increasing need for resources that give students of color direct access to the STEM workforce. Consequently, global ocean exploration charity OceanX has formed a partnership with Spelman College, a historically Black liberal arts college for women, to broaden diversity in STEM instruction and close the disparities in marine science. To equip Spelman students and faculty with resources and chances, the collaboration will concentrate on four key areas: OceanX’s Young Explorers program, employment prospects, research and curriculum development, and partnership building.

Co-Director of the Spelman Innovation Lab, Dr. Jerry Volcy, and OceanX Science Lead Mattie Rodrigue informed BLACK ENTERPRISE with more understanding on the renowned Young Explorers program and its innovative research and media production vessel, the OceanXplorer.



“The partnership between OceanX and Spelman College is based on our organization’s long-term attempts to boost diversity in STEM instruction and turn the marine sciences into an inclusive and diverse field,” Rodrigue states, coaching numerous of the incoming Spelman students. “Our renowned Young Explorers program, which launched in 2021, has made STEM career paths more accessible to diverse communities, offering students with hands-on experience in media production, science communication, high-tech technology and research methods, and strengthening career development in the ocean exploration trade.”

As indicated by Dr. Volcy, a vital partner in the venture, every year, roughly 14 chosen students travel on OceanX’s cutting-edge scientific research vessel, OceanXplorer, for two weeks during the summer months, designating one of those spots to a Spelman student.

Rodrigue claims she will work intently with Spelman faculty to guarantee a hands-on experience with the ocean science process through curriculum development, livestream sessions, or in-person visits to the campus.

“We trust that when students observe people like themselves engaging in modern research, working in advanced labs, and providing themselves up as mentors, a world of once inconceivable opportunities opens up to them,” Rodrigue adds. 

Young Explorers furnishes students with enriching knowledge into ocean science as they board the OceanXplorer for an introduction to ocean research, science, exploration, and media, as they concentrate on points that incorporate scientific research, technology, digital media, and ship operations.

Statistics reveal that only six percent of America’s life science workforce consist of Black and brown researchers, thus emphasizing the importance of resources that can provide students of color with direct access to the STEM field. To bridge the gap in marine sciences, Global ocean exploration nonprofit, OceanX, recently partnered with Spelman College, a historically black liberal arts college for women. This collaboration will concentrate on four key areas: the Young Explorers program, job openings, research and curriculum development, and partnership building.

Dr. Jerry Volcy and Mattie Rodrigue, Co-Director of the Spelman Innovation Lab and Science Lead of OceanX respectively, spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE about the Young Explorers program and its advanced research and media production vessel, the OceanXplorer.

Rodrigue emphasized the enduring efforts of OceanX to increase diversity in STEM education and change the marine sciences into an open and accepting field. The Young Explorers program, which began in 2021, has offered numerous students from diverse backgrounds the chance to gain experience in media production, science communication, state-of-the-art technology and research methods, thereby aiding in their career growth.

Every year, 14 students, with one spot allotted for a Spelman student, board the OceanXplorer for two weeks in the summer and are exposed to real-time research in marine biology and oceanography, with the assistance of professionals in ocean exploration and media. Rodrigue is also working closely with Spelman faculty to provide students with an interactive experience with the ocean science process through curriculum development, livestream sessions, or in-person visits to the campus.



Rodrigue further stated that they hope to collaborate with their partners, including Spelman and Howard, to create curricula that cover topics such as media production, marine vessel operations, science, and science communication. These curricula will offer students a chance to gain first-hand insight into ocean science as they board the OceanXplorer for an introduction to ocean research, science, exploration, and media.

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