Ocean Matters is proud to welcome Cadey Ryce, who was previously a member of our Ocean Matters Team Ocean, to a new role mentoring and supporting our current Team. Here are some of Cadey’s reflections on her journey thus far.
by Cadey Ryce
I am so excited to be joining the Ocean Matters team again!
My name is Cadey Ryce. I am from Mechanicsville, MD and am a graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) where I earned my B.S. in Marine Science and a minor in Secondary Educational Studies. Currently, I am attending a 5th year at SMCM to earn my Masters in Secondary Biology Education and working on publishing my 508 page manuscript “Implementing Marine Science Education in Grade School Classrooms; A portfolio of Curriculum and Classroom Activities.” I am also joining Ocean Matters again as a youth mentor.
A little bit of my background and experience: I have always had an interest in marine science and biological studies. I grew up on the coast of southwest Florida during one of the largest ecological disasters: the BP oil spill. Watching the animals be rescued and released ignited my passion, which led me to my first marine science experience, a position as a CIT at Sanibel Sea School, where I was able to teach young children about the ocean.
Later in 2019, I came across Ocean Matters Florida Ecology Expedition, through which I had the opportunity to earn PADI Open Water Diver and Coral Restoration Specialty Diver certifications and work with influential organizations such as Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Coral Restoration Foundation. The opportunities Ocean Matters provided to me to kick start my college and professional career became so valuable and I met some great people, many of whom I still talk to today! I knew after this experience marine science was not just something I wanted to pursue myself, but to act as a stewardess to other generations.
This summer I have just returned from a trip as a research science student with the Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy (CMERA) in Clearwater, FL. I had the opportunity to assist with collecting data and genetic testing on different local species of sharks and rays. There were two components of this trip: lecture and field work. For the lectures, we learned a lot about local biological species such as those we’d be tagging. For the field work, we used many different techniques such as longlines, rod and reel, and tangle nets. We caught a variety of different species such as Southern Stingrays, Blacktip Sharks, Blacknose Sharks, and Sharpnose Sharks. The research will be used to track these animals to see if they are relocating in the face of warming ocean temperatures and to test for possible crossbreeding between species to tolerate higher temperatures.
One thing about me is I love to gain experience and then teach those around me about what I learned. That is why I am so excited to help Ocean Matters students learn how to be strong leaders in the realm of marine science. Specifically, in my written work I have touched on, and for my masters thesis, I have emphasized the need for stewardship in youth, especially women in STEM.
One thing about me is I love to gain experience and then teach those around me about what I learned. That is why I am so excited to help Ocean Matters students learn how to be strong leaders in the realm of marine science. Specifically, in my written work I have touched on, and for my masters thesis, I have emphasized the need for stewardship in youth, especially women in STEM. I am so excited to be able to take my passions and utilize them in this position, and to be able to inspire the next generation of scientists! I am also excited to see how this position and the wonderful mentors I have met through ocean matters myself shape my experience and influence my future work.
