Students, educators, and content creators to learn onboard OceanXplorer and beyond
Singapore, 20 March 2024 – OceanX Education, an initiative of Dalio Philanthropies to develop the next generation of ocean leaders, will pilot three weeks of educational programming in March, reaching nearly 400 youth and educators in Singapore for the first time. The goal of the initiative is to provide next-gen ocean leaders with hands-on learning experiences on board the OceanXplorer, the most advanced exploration, scientific research, and media production vessel ever built.
Pilot programming will include a hybrid version of OceanX Education’s flagship Young Explorers Program, educator experiences, immersion experiences, and ship tours. Through workshops, hands-on activities, and science communication projects, participants will gain experience with and understanding of ocean science, maritime operations, media and storytelling, and science communications.
“OceanX Education is designed to inspire the next generation of ocean explorers, problem solvers, advocates, and storytellers by increasing young people’s opportunities to learn about and engage with the ocean,” said Mark Dalio, founder and co-CEO of OceanX. “We’re thrilled to partner with these organizations to bring the OceanXplorer ship to students and educators here in Singapore, giving them a rare behind-the-scenes chance to understand deep sea exploration. We hope this is just the beginning of engaging with and serving the young people in Southeast Asia.”
OceanX Education is partnering with Conservation International Singapore, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Temasek Foundation, and World Wide Fund for Nature – Singapore to bring its pilot programs to Singapore’s education community. This partnership with local educational leaders enables OceanX Education to teach and learn from an engaged and diverse group of future ocean leaders.
“Developing our youth to become future sustainability leaders is a key motivation for WWF-Singapore. Each of the 14,000 participants of our WWF Schools programme gives us hope that the next generation is keen to learn the science behind climate change and to drive conservation of nature,” Vivek Kumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), WWF-Singapore, said. “This unique partnership with OceanX presents a pivotal opportunity for us to inspire youth who understand the importance of conserving marine biodiversity and are active advocates for the protection of our oceans.”
“At Conservation International, we are dedicated to protecting our oceans on a global scale, recognizing their pivotal role in sustaining life on Earth. Nurturing a better understanding and awareness of marine ecosystems among young minds is crucial for addressing the pressing challenges our oceans face today,” Geraldine Chin, Country Director, Conservation International Singapore, said. “We are excited to work with OceanX to inspire the next generation through ocean science and education. We are confident that this partnership will instill a sense of responsibility and stewardship towards our oceans and boost efforts to safeguard the future of our planet.”
“The ocean presents a vast opportunity for marine research through deep-sea biological exploration. The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum of the National University of Singapore is excited to delve into OceanX’s cutting-edge submersible and laboratory facilities, and explore the possibility of conducting on-site DNA sequencing on marine specimens collected aboard the ship. The museum is also looking forward to collaborating with other experts spanning different disciplines—from taxonomists to geneticists to ecologists,” a representative from Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum said.
“As an island nation Singaporean students have an inherited link to the ocean and many NTU students are very passionate about the Ocean. My sense is that NTU students are excited for OceanX Education Programs because it resonates with their lifestyle as an island nation and fulfills at least partially a real desire for Singaporean students to better understand the importance of ocean science and the links to their own heritage,” Professor Adam Switzer, Nanyang Technological University, said.
About OceanX
OceanX is a mission to support scientists to explore the ocean and to bring it back to the world through captivating media. Uniting leading media, science, and philanthropy partners, OceanX utilizes next-gen technology, fearless science, compelling storytelling, and immersive experiences to educate, inspire, and connect the world with the ocean and build a global community deeply engaged with understanding, enjoying, and protecting our oceans. OceanX is an operating program of Dalio Philanthropies, which furthers the diverse philanthropic interests of Dalio family members. For more information, visit www.oceanx.org and follow OceanX on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
About Dalio Philanthropies
Founded by the Dalio family in 2003, Dalio Philanthropies focuses on creating equal opportunities in education, healthcare, and technology access, with strong commitments to fostering local and global community and exploring and protecting the Earth’s oceans. We operate three primary programs in the areas of education (Dalio Education), ocean exploration and protection (OceanX), and digital access (Endless Network). We also support organizations in a number of other focus areas to help catalyze positive change around the world. Since the inception of Dalio Philanthropies, the family has provided over $6 billion in support of its mission. To learn more about Dalio Philanthropies’ operating programs and key focus areas, visit www.daliophilanthropies.org.