A Day with the Blue Pioneers: Sharing Ocean Science with the World
Image credits: NOAA via Unsplash
I’m always inspired by people and organizations who are helping people and our planet! That’s why I am happy to share that last month, I hosted a science communication session as part of the Blue Pioneers Accelerator Program of UC Santa Cruz. These innovators from around the world are on the frontlines of protecting the sustainability of our oceans.
The Urgent Need for Ocean Innovation
Image of Weddell Seals in Antarctica, taken by Dr. Tiffany Vora during her trip to Antarctica in November 2023 | It’s not clear whether the overall Antarctic ecosystem will remain healthy in the face of the climate change that we have already locked in through human activity.
Why is the ocean innovation space so important? From the poles to the equators, from reefs in the shallows to mysteries in the darkest depths, our oceans are in crisis due to climate change and human activities. Plus, more than 3 billion people rely on the ocean for food, and the same number rely on it for their jobs and livelihoods.
But today, we’re coming up to—and crossing—tipping points from which the ocean’s ecosystems may not be able to recover. That’s why it’s both urgent and crucial to design, test, build, and learn from new ways of supporting the health of our oceans, the living things in them, and the people (including most of us!) who need our oceans and what they provide.
Dr. Tiffany Vora with Rachel Wang, Assistant Director of the Blue Pioneers Accelerator Program.
All of this is why I was delighted to be contacted by Rachel Wang, Assistant Director of the Blue Pioneers Accelerator Program—and a fellow alumna of Homeward Bound and our journey to Antarctica last year! Could I come down to UC Santa Cruz and help this year’s fellows grow their skills in pitching their projects and telling their stories to the public?
Absolutely!
Setting the Scene: Blue Pioneers at UC Santa Cruz
Here’s the scene: a large, sunny conference room with big windows overlooking low hills stretching to the ocean. Tall whiteboards covered in handwritten notes (some in Chinese characters) about value propositions, stakeholders, USPs, MVPs, scaling, budget, and funding prospects. And about 30 young, passionate innovators from around the globe, with strong representation from China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and South/Central America (and more!).
Workshop Highlights: Diving into the Craft of Storytelling
For a couple of hours, we dived into the craft of storytelling. How we learn about our audiences and what drives them. How we identify decision makers and advocates. How we set the scene, describe our heroes, and showcase the “happy ending” (or at least happy progress) that our innovations can achieve—with funding, mentors, and, most of all, people who say, “how can I help?” Plus a few tips and tricks that I’ve picked up in my years of giving talks to audiences around the world!
In case you’re wondering … yes, we did use Finding Nemo as an example of fantastic storytelling. And Star Wars, of course!
By the end of our session, the participants had dived deep into the characters, conflict, rising stakes, and emotions of their innovation projects. Their mini-practice pitches really brought to life the impacts that their collaborative experiments would have not just on ocean sustainability, but on the people and communities who have the most to lose—and gain.
Celebrating Innovation: Top Projects and Their Impact
I was delighted to spend the rest of the day getting to know these inspiring innovators and hearing their final pitches as they competed for $50k in funding from the Accelerator Program. Every single one of them has amazing potential to build a better future for people and our planet. Congratulations to the Turtle Oasis Project and the Mall of Oceans team for nabbing the top prizes!
Image from the Blue Pioneers Website announcing the awards for the 2024 grants.
I can’t wait to see the amazing things that the 2024 fellows achieve out in the world!
Thank you Rachel Wang, Yuwei Shi, the Blue Pioneers Accelerator Program, and the UCSC Coastal Science and Policy Program for inviting me to contribute to this awesome initiative!
And don’t forget to check out the spectacular work that’s being done through this program and by each of these innovators! Supporting these folks and organizations is a great way to help build a positive future for people and our gorgeous, unique, and fragile planet!
About Tiffany
Dr. Tiffany Vora speaks, writes, and advises on how to harness technology to build the best possible future(s). She is an expert in biotech, health, & innovation.
For a full list of topics and ways to collaborate, visit Tiffany’s Work Together webpage.
Donate = Impact
After a 19-day voyage to Antarctica aboard The Island Sky in November 2023, Tiffany has many remarkable stories to share & a wealth of insights to catalyze a sustainable future.
You can support her ongoing journey by making a contribution through her donation page. Your support will spread positive impact around the world, empower Tiffany to protect time for impact-focused projects, and support logistical costs for pro bono events with students & nonprofits.