Marine Science Education Fellowship

Greater Farallones Association (GFA) is proud to launch the Marine Science Education Fellowship program in 2022, supporting college students or early-career professionals from backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences.

Our Marine Science Education Fellows will be given the opportunity to build teaching skills and comfort working with students, learn marine science curriculum, and have access to marine sanctuary resources. GFA is committed to providing opportunities to the next generation of marine scientists and educators from all backgrounds, and is dedicated to raising awareness and stewardship of the vital ocean resources right off the San Francisco coast.

Each fellow will provide instructional and administrative program support for the LiMPETS program, Oceans After School program, and/or the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank Visitor Center Field Trip program, both virtually in the classroom and in-person on field trips; and help increase capacity to deliver ocean exploration educational programs to low-income youth. Fellows learn the coastal curriculum; gain experience teaching marine science; and are given the opportunity to connect with staff across GFA and Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries, and with project partners. All aimed at skill development and career advancement.

Activities associated with this paid, part-time, six month position with the Greater Farallones Association include:

    • Assisting with the delivery of LiMPETS coastal science education programs.
    • Maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all students during lessons.
    • Assisting the Program Coordinator in administration of programs, including outreach to and coordination with teachers.
    • Manage program equipment and supplies.
    • Staff the Greater Farallones Visitor Center on a weekend day, greeting and engaging guests in the exhibits.
    • Assist in the implementation of a teacher professional development workshop.
    • Assist in curriculum development and online educational resources, as needed.
    • Other program specific tasks as needed.

For questions about the LiMPETS program, please contact Jaclyn Schneider at jschneider@farallones.org.

For questions about the Oceans After School program, please contact Jean Alupay at jalupay@farallones.org.

Our paid fellowship program has been made possible through grant support from JW & HM Goodman Family Foundation

Greater Farallones Association (GFA) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization working in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to conserve the ecosystems of Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries.

Application period opening soon for the Fall 2025 Fellowship position! Open to currently enrolled college students.

Fall 2023 – Spring 2024 Fellow

Kayla Carter holds model of a whale while at sea

Kayla Carter

Kayla Carter is the 2023-24 Marine Science Education Fellow for the LiMPETS Program. She has a BS in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. As a Bay Area native, Kayla has always had a passion for the ocean. She hopes to further her career in marine science education to inspire future generations to fight for our oceans. She also enjoys infodumping about marine mammals, trying to find the motivation to paint, and spending time with her cat Kiki.

Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 Fellow

Julia Currier

Julia Currier

Julia Currier grew up in San Francisco and the Bay Area, but also spent time living in Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and Georgia during parts of her childhood. She is currently studying Biology with a concentration in Zoology at San Francisco State University. Before her work with the GFA, she worked at the Randall Museum in San Francisco as a field trip educator. She also worked with the animal care team and cared for animals such as owls, hawks, raccoons, crows, tarantulas, and many more. Julia enjoys taking her dog Hiro on hikes and going to Disneyland in her free time.

Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 Fellow

Chris Hernandez

Christopher Hernandez

Christopher Hernandez is a Zoology student at San Francisco State University. He is Mexican and of Cherokee and Apache descent. Chris loves spending time outdoors and observing wildlife. Some of his hobbies include collecting tropical house plants and crystals, playing guitar, going for hikes, and making pottery. Chris is greatly excited to be helping new scientists engage with the natural world!

Spring-Summer 2022 Fellow

Spring-Summer 2022 Fellow Julia Deschaumes

Julia Deschaumes

Julia Deschaumes grew up in the Bay Area and has a BS in Environmental Science and Sustainability Management, as well as Education from Cornell University. There, she helped teach Cornell environmental education courses as well as at local schools. She has experience in invasive species research for NYS and EPA National Environmental Information Network Guidelines. Before GFA, she worked in sustainability within real estate in the Bay Area and is looking forward to breaking into the marine science field. In her free time, Julia enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, and changing the way interior design and renovations can be less wasteful and more sustainable.