The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) conducts research at sea to better understand our ocean, coasts, and climate. Knowledge gained from these studies helps our nation conserve our marine resources, improve navigation and safety at sea, and predict future conditions. A key pillar of NOAA’s mission involves sharing this knowledge with others. NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program is a small, but impactful, way of serving that mission.
As a public service, funded by public resources, NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program belongs to all Americans. We believe the teachers who participate in our program, and the students they inspire, should reflect the vast diversity of our nation. We want teachers who consider applying to our program to be able to see themselves living on a research vessel at sea, participating in NOAA’s science, and learning about career possibilities for their students. To these ends, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are principles we value highly.
Our commitment to upholding DEI principles includes working to ensure that participants in our program:
- Feel welcomed and informed as they prepare for their “at sea” experience.
- Have positive experiences living and working at sea.
- Find community among the personnel sailing on their ships, making meaningful connections.
- Feel empowered and equipped to complete the program requirements when they return home.
- Become part of a welcoming alumni network who have shared experiences and connections.
Finally, along with NOAA, we actively work to create an environment in which harassment is not tolerated and discrimination based on any of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s protected classes is firmly condemned. We acknowledge that there is still progress to be made, and we are committed to continuing on this journey toward inclusivity and equality.
