Underwater in Salem Sound Lecture Series

Drifters — Ocean Currents in the Gulf of Maine and STEM Education

** This is a hybrid program which can be attended in person OR online via Zoom.

In Person Registration HERE

Online Zoom Registration HERE

Presentation Description:

Where would you end up if you were carried by the ocean from Salem Sound? This past winter and spring, Salem High School students explored that question together with Salem Sound Coastwatch, supported by MIT Sea Grant funding. Students built and launched two floating drifters that travel with ocean currents and send back real-time data via satellite.

The drifters are revealing how water moves through the Gulf of Maine, contributing to systems like NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System and improving ocean models—while giving students the chance to analyze their own data and take part in real scientific research.

Founded in 2004 by partners including the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation, Southern Maine Community College, and NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, the program has deployed more than 1,500 drifters with about 100 schools.

Speaker Bio: Alex Borreil is an Educator for the School to Sea program for Salem Sound Coastwatch and holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. In addition to being an educator, she was also the Principal Investigator for the drifter program. Previous to coming to Salem, Alex spent a collective six years leading and creating field and classroom-based marine science courses and research projects for students in the Caribbean and Florida Keys. As a New England Native, her goal is to inspire young scientists to continue learning and protecting their local coastlines through hands-on educational experiences.  

For the past fourteen years, Underwater in Salem Sound has been jointly sponsored by Salem Sound Coastwatch and Abbot Public Library. All the lectures are free and open to the public.