PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 21, 2023
I was born with a love for the ocean and a fascination about the worlds hiding beneath its surface. However, I had little to no idea how I could make a career out of that passion. So, when I read about Bigelow Laboratory’s Keller BLOOM program for high school juniors – an opportunity to learn and work alongside professional ocean researchers without any cost to my family – I jumped at it. The experience changed my life. Getting our young people hands-on experience with science is critical if they are going to be a part of this research wave and help lead our state through the climate challenges we face. I’ve seen the transformative power of these experiences countless times in the lives of my students – and in my own. ~ Dr. LeAnn Pritchard Whitney, Machias