NMEA @ OSM26
NMEA Member Presentations at OSM26
We’re proud to highlight NMEA members presenting at the 2026 Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM26) in Glasgow, Scotland (February 22–27, 2026). This collection showcases the breadth of scholarship, outreach, and ocean education leadership represented across our community.
By gathering these presentations in one place, we aim to strengthen connections among members, coordinate meet-ups, and celebrate the important contributions NMEA educators and researchers are making within the broader ocean science community. If you’re attending OSM26, we encourage you to support fellow members and connect in person.
*NMEA members are identified with an asterisk
Monday, 23 February
Road to Rio: Preparatory Process for the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference
Alison Clausen, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
AF14A | 16:00 - 17:00 | SEC; Hall 1 | Agency Forum | *Ocean Decade
A Systems Approach to Democratizing Access to Ocean Exploration Tools for Immersive Learning in K12 and Community Education
Larissa Zip*, Blue Robotics
ED14A-0003 | 16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
Communicating the Invisible Threat of Derelict Fishing Gear: Lessons in Capacity and Collaboration
Jennifer Kennedy*, Nikki Tenaglia, Breanna Butland*, Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation
ED14B-0039 | 16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
Tuesday, 24 February
Early Engagement in Marine Science: Cultivating Marine Science Pathways for Middle School Students through Experiential Learning in Kāneʻohe Bay, Hawaiʻi
Lauren Van Heukelem*, University of Hawaii at Manoa
ED23A-06 | 14:45 – 14:53 | SEC, Alsh | Oral
ED24A: A Sea of Learning: Sharing Stories of Ocean Engagement II Poster
Chairs: Lauren Hudson*, University of Victoria, and Kiley Best, Memorial University of Newfoundland
16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
Cross-Curricular and Place-Based Approaches to Ocean Literacy in USA Blue Schools
Joanna Philippoff*, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Diana Payne*, University of Connecticut
Anuschka Faucci*, Leeward Community College
Kristen Napolitano, Meghan Marrero*, Mercy University
ED24A-0012 | 16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
Pathways to ocean science careers: Which significant life experiences play a role?
Bethany Smith*, Sarah Nuss*, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
ED24A-0030 | 16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
ED24C: Coastal Community Science in the Undergraduate Classroom: Science That Matters to Students and Communities
Chairs: Kerry Whittaker and LeAnn Whitney*, Maine Maritime Academy
16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
From Beaches to Classrooms: Educating the Next Generation on Microplastic Pollution
Breanna Butland*, Nikki Tenaglia, Jennifer Kennedy*, Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation
ED24C-0072 | 16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
Building Bridges in Penobscot Bay: Connecting Undergraduate Learning with Community Resilience
Kerry Whittaker, LeAnn Whitney*, Maine Maritime Academy
ED24C-0060 | 16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
One Ocean, Inland Connections: Advancing Ocean Literacy through Undergraduate Oceanography in Texas
Teresa Kennedy*, University of Texas at Tyler
ED24C-0076 | 16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
ED24D: Educator Workshop Effectiveness: What Works and What Doesn't
Chairs: George Matsumoto*, Jennifer Magnusson*, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
Expanding Impact: Using the EARTH Workshop Model to Connect Research, Outreach, and Education
Jennifer Magnusson*, George Matsumoto*, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
ED24D-0084 | 16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
Inspiring teachers to change how they teach science through multi-day, field-based workshops
Suzanne Kahn, Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
Jaime Belanger, South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Sarah Nuss*, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Kenneth Rainer, Panarchy Consulting
ED24D-0090 | 16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
Wednesday, 25 February
Redefining the Blue Frontier: A New Era of Low-Cost, Open-Source Marine Robotics
Jessica Eason*, Larissa Zip*, Tyler Buckingham*, Blue Robotics
OT31A-02 | 08:41 - 08:50 | Hall 3, Deep Blue Lab (SEC) | Oral
ED34A: From Research to Reach: Ocean Science Collaborations for Broader Societal Impact
Chairs: Sarah Nuss*, Lisa Ayers Lawrence, Bethany Smith*, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
16:00 - 17:30 | SEC; Hall 4, eLightning Theater 2 | eLightning
Enhance your outreach and lower your lift- partner with a K-12 Teacher
Tami Lunsford*
ED34A-01 | 16:00pm - 16:03 | SEC; Hall 4, eLightning Theater 2 | eLightning
Supporting Scientists in Expanding their Reach and Impact through Co-Creation of Innovative, Engaging Programs
Tracy Crews*, Oregon Sea Grant
ED34A-02 | 16:03 - 16:06 | SEC; Hall 4, eLightning Theater 2 | eLightning
Shaping scientific literacy: How underserved students conceptualize marine scientists and themselves
Sarah Nuss*, Lisa Lawrence, and Bethany Smith*, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
ED34A-10 | 16:27 - 16:30 | SEC; Hall 4, eLightning Theater 2 | eLightning
One Ocean, Many Voices: Communication Strategies for Advancing Ocean Literacy on a Global Scale
Teresa Kennedy*, University of Texas at Tyler
ED34B-0013 | 16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
Thursday, 26 February
ED44A: From Research to Reach: Ocean Science Collaborations for Broader Societal Impact
Chairs: Sarah Nuss*, Lisa Ayers Lawrence, Bethany Smith*, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
ED44B: Mutual Currents: Exploring Art-Science Partnerships for Ocean Engagement
Chairs: Sarah Nuss*, Lisa Ayers Lawrence, Bethany Smith*, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
Waves of Wonder: A Marine Science & Art Incubator
Bethany Smith*, Eric J Hilton, Lisa Ayers Lawrence, Bayleigh Albert, Miguel Montalvo, Sarah K Huber, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Vicki Fink, College of William and Mary
ED44B-0034 | 16:00 - 18:00 | SEC; Hall 4 (Poster Hall) | Poster
Friday, 27 February
ED53A: From Research to Reach: Ocean science collaborations for broader societal impact
Chairs: Sarah Nuss*, Lisa Ayers Lawrence, Bethany Smith*, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
14:00 - 15:30 | SEC; Hall 3, Kelp Forest | Oral
Immersing K-12 Teachers in Marine Science: VIMS Teacher Research Internships
Lisa Lawrence and Bethany Smith*, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
ED53A-01 | 14:06 - 14:16 | SEC; Hall 3, Kelp Forest | Oral
Online
El Niño: A Wave and Water Cycle
Joe Witte*, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
ED14B-V3001 | Online Poster
Tidal Bodies: Creating Currents of Community in Marine Science + Ocean Arts Through an Immersive Interdisciplinary Workshop
Marjorie Wonham*, University of Washington
ED44B-V3002 | Online Poster
Exhibitors
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)* | Booth #145 | George Matsumoto*
University of New Hampshire (UNH) | Booth #115 | Tara Hicks Johnson*