NEWS
LAMAVE as one of the mentors for the National Geographic Society 2022 STEM Field Assistant Program
We are super excited and honoured to have been chosen to partner with the National Geographic Society for its latest initiative, the STEM Field Assistant Program, and work together to inspire the ocean conservation leaders of tomorrow.
Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, one of LAMAVE’s Directors has been selected with other 10 conservationists around the world to host and mentor an early career marine researcher in the Philippines.
Sharing ideas, values and mindset, LAMAVE has a long and successful collaboration with National Geographic Society, with two National Geographic Explorers part of our team, and 6 projects supported to date by the Society.
The new National Geographic STEM Field Assistant Program seeks to identify highly motivated upper-level undergraduate students or recent graduates from underrepresented or marginalized groups interested in pursuing STEM careers. The program provides hands-on experience to help the student (the “Field Assistant”) build a network of peers and senior scientists who can mentor them and give them the confidence and support to advance in their chosen field.
Field Assistants will have an opportunity to be partnered with Alessandro Ponzo and Ariana Agustines, both Principal Investigators from the National Geographic Explorer community who will serve as mentors during 8 to 10 weeks of field research between May to August 2022.
Along with the field research, Field Assistants will attend monthly webinars hosted by National Geographic and led by additional members of the National Geographic Explorer community. Webinars will be focused on information or skills needed to succeed in STEM disciplines such as research project design, graduate school applications, and science communication.
The opportunity is open only to students from the Philippines and preference will be given to first-generation university students, which we define as students who are the first person in their immediate family to attend university.
The Field Assistants will commit to approximately 8-10 weeks of fieldwork between May - August 2022, a series of webinars from May - December 2022, and a grant writing workshop in late 2022. National Geographic will cover field expenses and offer a U.S. $4,000 scholarship to those in the program.
Main Location: Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippine, with other field locations in Palawan.
Fieldwork: May 15 - July 23, 2022 (dates can be flexible)
Required Commintment (online): Monthly webinars April - December 2022
Expected Responsibilities, Benefits and Learning Opportunities
Opportunity to be mentored by a National Geographic Explorer and to virtually meet
other Explorers from around the world
Develop field-based skills
Participate in a global cohort of Field Assistants and attend monthly virtual meetings
Learn more about best practices in writing grant applications and write a practice application
Travel expenses covered by NGS
Scholarship up to 4000 USD
Read more the full program description here.
Learn more about what it means to be a National Geographic Explorer and the Impact of the Society here https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/our-explorers/?nav_click