Current: The Journal of Marine Education
Published: January 1, 2013
C-DEBI Contribution Number: 170

Abstract

Much of the C-DEBI (Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations) research is conducted in the field, where transformative discoveries result from either sampling new environments at and below the seafloor or making new measurements with sensors adapted to this extreme environment. Both types of advancement require technical STEM (science, technology engineering and mathematics) capabilities; one to get samplers and sensors to the new environment, and the other to design, fabricate, and test novel approaches for solving vexing questions. Such research requires a community capable of innovative technologies to gather samples, sense environmental conditions, and drive ongoing scientific inquiry. However, the U.S. educational system has not kept pace with these and other societal demands for STEM-trained personnel (National Research Council 2010 and 2012), and this deficit could, potentially, stunt the growth, continuity and quality of these types of research programs.

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