Guest author - Dr. Florence Mc Alary

1. I love the sea! I want to be a marine biologist. I am an 8th grader. How can I get started?

2. I found a dead sea star on the beach and lots of trash. When I grow up I want to be a marine biologist so I can protect the sea from pollution, but what can I do now? I am in the fourth grade.

Answer -
Each week I walk a local beach to collect trash and observe wildlife. I keep a record of how much trash I find. For example, one week I found 3 plastic bottles, 2 aluminum pop cans, 5 bottle caps, 2 plastic bags, 2 soda straws, 1 sandal, and lots of pieces of Styrofoam that filled up 3/4 of my 13 gallon trash bag. I write down how many people, dogs, and boats I see on the beach. I note if they take drift wood, litter, or disturb animals in the tidepools. I also keep a list of plants and animals I see near the beach. In the San Juan Islands where I live, bald eagles, cxormorants, great blue herons, river otters, killer whales, and harbor porpoises are often on my wildlife list! My daughter is in the fourth grade too and she walks the beach with me. Perhaps, you would like to assist on a beach monitoring project in your area. It's a great way to get the "facts" on beach life and actually help protect sea life. Your class or club group maight consider adopting a beach. A visit to a local marine aquarium or museum will help acquaint you with beach life and problems of conservation or pollution in your area. The marine aquarium is also a good place to find out about fun activities and projects dealing with the ocean. Ask questions, join in, and have fun! The oceans need all our help to survive.

3. I really enjoy the ocean. I am always watching porgrams about different kinds of marine life like coral reefs and whales. I am in the 10th grade. I think I want a career as a marine biologist, but I am not strong in math or science at school. What should I do?

Answer -
To get started, make a list of your special talents and things that you enjoy doing. Academic programs that focus on marine biology generally require competence in math including a knowledge of geometry, trigonometry, algebra, and calculus (Calculus was my favorite!) as well as a general knowledge of chemistry (organic and inorganic) and physics. Although these subjects may not include your favorites, they provide essential information and skills necessary for an understanding of life processes, including life in the sea. I being a marine biologist is your goal -- work hard and study. Don't be shy. Ask questions and get help when you need it. But a science major isn't the only avenue to a career in marine biology. Is writing your strength? art? photography? or computers? A career specializing in one of these areas could focus on the oceans.

Elective courses in marine biology, math, physics, or chemistry will help fulfill general education requirements and provide expertise. An English or journalism major would give you the tools to communicate, document and interpret scientific materials. For inspiration, check out Rachel Carson's book The Sea around Us. For journalistic style you might look at articles and photos in Natural History, Oceans, Skin Diver or National Geographic magazines. Experiment -- review a book or write an article on the oceans or sealife for your school or local newspaper. Biological illustrators and photographers have an intimate understanding of their subject matter. Perhaps, you would like to brong images of the marine world -- its inhabitants. processes, and problems -- to others? You might prepare a poster for Earth Day using a marine these, make a collage of a deep sea scene, or collect pictures of endangered marine animals to share with your class. If you're sports minded and have marine interests, consider learning to snorkel. Snorkeling got me hooked on marine biology.

Later I learned to scuba dive and determined that marine wilderness and conservation were my areas of special interest. From there, it was just a matter of finding out how to make it all happen. You can make it happen too. There are many roads to a happy and successful life.