Last summer, the Ocean Core Teacher-Researcher and Curriculum Experience (TRACX) gathered teachers from across the United States and abroad for a week of research and collaboration at the Gulf Coast Repository (GCR) at Texas A&M University. Held from August 10–15, the first edition of this program was led by Sharon Cooper from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, which is part of the Columbia Climate School. The initiative immersed grades 5–12 educators in authentic ocean core research, curriculum design and scientific discovery.
The TRACX program, funded by the U.S. Science Support Program, gave educators a unique opportunity to work directly with scientists and GCR technical staff using the same equipment once deployed aboard the JOIDES Resolution, the legendary research vessel that operated from 1985 to 2024. Teachers joined small investigative teams to analyze geological data, interpret ocean core samples and develop classroom resources aligned with educational standards, providing experiences designed to bridge the gap between field science and classroom learning.
“The TRACX program really strengthened my research skills by allowing me to engage directly with authentic ocean core data and learn how to analyze it using real scientific methods,” said Shelley Seagraves, a participating Atlanta educator. “I feel more confident guiding my students through data-driven investigations and connecting classroom learning to real-world science.”
“Visiting the Scientific Ocean Drilling labs was an incredible experience,” said Ohio educator Peggy Busker-Postlethwait. “It made me feel like I was part of real scientific discovery rather than just learning about it.”
From rural to urban settings, TRACX educators are already bringing these insights back to their classrooms. “This program was transformative for me and my students because it opened a window to real-world ocean research they had never imagined possible in our small rural school in Alaska,” Luzviminda Dinglasan said. “It showed them that science is not limited by location, and inspired them to see themselves as future scientists contributing to global discoveries.”
“Creating a curriculum from my TRACX research experiences means transforming authentic scientific exploration into meaningful classroom learning,” said Alejandro Mundo, a New York City Earth and space science educator. “It helps students engage with real data, think like scientists, and connect their studies to the larger questions driving Earth and ocean research today. This experience brings the depth and excitement of field science into an urban classroom where students can see how global ocean and climate research relate to their own communities,” he added.
According to Laurel Childress, supervisor of science services at the GCR, TRACX represents a continuation of a powerful legacy: “The TRACX program continues the legacy of the School of Rock, which brought together educators, scientists and technical staff onboard the JOIDES Resolution. While the JOIDES Resolution is no longer available, the TRACX program provides participants with access to the cores it collected and the scientific instrumentation formerly onboard the vessel.”
International participation also strengthened the program’s global reach. “The TRACX workshop has been an amazing and unique opportunity to share ideas with colleagues while getting first-hand training on one of the most enduring and successful research projects in Earth sciences. We delved into the process of science, exploring not only the technical methods but also the human aspects behind research,” said teacher Matteo Cattadori of Italy.
Cattadori, along with fellow Italian educator Nicola Gretter, later presented on their TRACX experience at a science festival in Rovereto, Italy, highlighting how international teacher–scientist partnerships can strengthen science communication and inspire students worldwide.
Jeremy Deans, who served as a mentor for the teachers, reflected on the experience from a scientist’s perspective: “The opportunity to mentor several teachers from Alaska to the United Kingdom for the TRACX workshop was incredibly exciting and daunting. I wanted to make sure the teachers experienced research like what was done on a drilling ship while keeping it relevant to their classrooms. I was more than impressed when they jumped in leading data collection and later developed their own curriculum based on these experiences. This has renewed my faith in our teachers and helped me better understand the students in my classes.”
Supported by the U.S. Science Support Program and the National Science Foundation, the TRACX initiative represents the power of educator and scientist collaboration. By turning authentic research into classroom-ready curriculum, the program ensures that students everywhere, from bustling cities to remote towns, can experience the wonder, curiosity and rigor of real ocean science.
