Museum of Science, Boston Educator Selected to Explore Ocean Aboard Famed Explorer Dr. Robert Ballard's Vessel Nautilus

Locke Patton will join the expedition team in a groundbreaking STEAM initiative exploring deep-sea biology and geology and bringing the experience home to the community
 

BOSTON, MA – Locke Patton, an education associate at the Museum of Science, Boston, has been selected by Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) as a 2025 Science Communication Fellow. Patton, who originally hails from Underwood, Washington, will sail aboard OET’s Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus this summer as part of a deep ocean exploration team and bring the excitement of exploration to learners in Boston and worldwide. 

Patton was selected from a worldwide pool of applicants and will join a cohort of 11 fellows from schools, science centers, and non-profit organizations across the Pacific and North America. They will join OET in July to explore the underwater cultural heritage sites on the seafloor of the Iron Bottom Sound, the stage of five major naval battles during World War II. 

While at sea, Patton will connect live with learners via NautilusLive.org, a 24-hour livestreaming web portal bringing field expeditions to explorers on shore. Patton will participate in live broadcast dive commentary and question-and-answer sessions through the Nautilus Live website while aboard the ship; he will also engage in events and activities upon his return. Schools and community groups can also schedule free, live one-on-one Q&A sessions with explorers on the ship through mid-September.

“Science Communication Fellows work alongside scientists and engineers and help to convey the excitement of the ocean exploration experience across the NautilusLive live stream, social media, and outreach directly with classrooms. We are proud to elevate role models for learners, focusing on reaching communities historically marginalized from science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and ocean fields," said Megan Cook, OET’s director of education and outreach.

The OET Science Communication Fellowship brings formal and informal educators onboard Nautilus to engage students and the public in the wonders of ocean exploration while sharing discoveries from the 2025 mission and aspects of daily life aboard a working exploration vessel. Throughout the year, fellows grow their science communication skills, attend in-person professional development training together with worldwide fellows, and spend several weeks as a crucial part of the team aboard E/V Nautilus. Fellows bring ocean exploration back to their home communities by incorporating their experience into classroom lesson plans, community presentation events, and informal educational opportunities.

“Joining the Nautilus team connects two worlds I’m passionate about: the unknown and public science communication,” said Patton, who holds a PhD in astrophysics from Harvard University. “This expedition offers the rare chance to witness history and cutting-edge exploration simultaneously, creating moments of wonder that I can’t wait to share back in our Boston community and around the world.”

Ocean Exploration Trust, a nonprofit founded by Dr. Robert Ballard, operates with a mission to explore the unknown parts of the ocean, seeking out discoveries in geology, biology, and hydrography while pushing the boundaries of STEAM education and technological innovation. OET promotes science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) education worldwide using the excitement of exploration and innovation to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

“One of the major goals of our Nautilus Exploration Program is to motivate the next generation of explorers,” said Allison Fundis, OET’s chief operating officer. “We are very excited to provide educators with the direct experience in ocean exploration while allowing them the opportunity to share that experience with their peers around the world.”  

OET’s five 2025 expeditions will take the team to Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, and more. The expeditions will build ocean knowledge supporting international scientific and U.S. governmental priorities, particularly understanding ocean changes, sharing that knowledge with others, and contributing new discoveries and data to inform future conservation and resource management decisions. OET will also continue to provide opportunities for students, educators, and early career professionals to participate in these missions—both at sea and onshore—particularly for communities whose waters we are guests within.

“We’re proud to have Locke represent the Museum of Science on this significant expedition to the Iron Bottom Sound with Nautilus,” said Lydia Beall, senior vice president of programs and community engagement at the Museum of Science. “This opportunity allows Locke to share and further develop his science communication skills while participating in meaningful archeological work. We look forward to the insights and stories Locke will bring back to inspire curiosity and learning among our visitors.”

About the Ocean Exploration Trust
The Ocean Exploration Trust was founded in 2007 by Dr. Robert Ballard to explore the ocean, seeking out multi-disciplinary discoveries while pushing the boundaries of STEAM education and technological innovation. Our international program is launched from aboard the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus, offering live exploration to participants on shore and the public via live video, audio, and data feeds. Learn more about Ocean Exploration Trust. 

The 2025 E/V Nautilus expeditions are sponsored by NOAA Ocean Exploration and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute. OET program sponsors and partners for 2025 also include the Office of Naval Research, QPS, and the Phil Stephenson Foundation. Learn more about our partners and sponsors.