How to Get Your Feet Wet in Oceanography

Oceanography is a fascinating scientific discipline, whose subject is 70% of our planet's surface. Unfortunately, its wonder is not readily apparent to the billions of landlocked people who live far, far away from one of the seven seas. Distance is not an insurmountable barrier, however. For those of you who are truly motivated, oceanography is just a stone's skip away.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find a body of water. Anything larger than a community swimming pool is acceptable, as long as it harbors living things and isn't choked with chlorine. Seas or oceans are preferred.

2. Take advantage of local aquariums. Educational institutions are always looking for docents (guides) and other volunteers, and you very often receive training in marine science in return.

3. If possible, get out on the water yourself, even if only on a lake. If you aren't adventurous enough to construct a workable raft, find a sailing organization that will take you out for a spin.

4. Try to obtain some laboratory experience. You won't just be living on the water: you'll be studying it, and knowing your way around a vacuum pump and a pipet will come in handy.

5. Find an oceanographic cruise that accepts volunteers. The Scripps Institute of Oceanography in California has multiple cruises year-round, in particular its long-running CalCOFI tuna surveys. Further west, the Hawaii Ocean Time (HOT) series goes out nearly every week.

6. If you like what you see, go to school for more education, by whatever means necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Learning to swim might also be useful.