Join the President’s Science Advisor and ocean explorers as they investigate 10,000 feet deep in an area of the seafloor that’s never been explored before. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) invite you to join a virtual event highlighting the importance and value of the ocean during a live conversation with explorers onboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, America’s ship for ocean exploration. Presidential Science Advisor and OSTP Director Dr. Eric Lander will co-host the livestreamed event with NOAA National Ocean Service Exhibits Manager and Education Specialist Symone Barkley. The live interaction will bring the excitement of discovery directly to the public as ocean explorers image areas of the seafloor that people have never explored before and share their real-time discoveries through a live-streamed video feed. The event will stoke curiosity about the diverse and largely unknown ecosystems and organisms of the deep sea and highlight the importance of the ocean for addressing the climate crisis, rebuilding the economy, and advancing environmental justice. The event will feature commentary live from: The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Dr. Eric S. Lander, President’s Science Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Symone Barkley, NOAA National Ocean Service Exhibits Manager and Education Specialist Dr. Kirk Johnson, Sant Director of Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Dr. Rick Spinrad, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Commander Nicole Manning, Commanding Officer of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations Dr. Derek Sowers, Mapping Lead, NOAA Ocean Exploration Dr. Allen Collins, Biology Science Lead, NOAA Fisheries National Systematics Laboratory Director (co-housed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History) Ask a question: Do you have a question you’d like to ask an ocean explorer? Please submit your questions ahead of the event via Twitter at #AskAnExplorer. To learn more: People can visit NOAA Ocean Exploration (https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/), the Smithsonian’s Ocean Portal (https://ocean.si.edu/), and other marine-focused websites or visit your local museums and parks.
