MINORITIES IN SHARK SCIENCES INC

Programs

1. Diversifying ocean sciences: a year-long hybrid research project for participants from all around the world. This program is virtual for 9 months and in person for one week. Participants choose one of three marine science research disciplines where they learn about topics within that discipline. The in-person week is meant to give participants field experience within their selected discipline.

   $167,863 spent
   36% of program spending

2. Iconic oceans: iconic oceans aims to connect scientists, policy makers, fishers, and other community stakeholders to conserve, protect, and sustainably use marine resources. The emphasis of the program will be on inclusive conservation efforts focused on black, indigenous, and people of color (bipoc), economically disadvantaged communities, and communities that rely on the ocean's resources for survival or economic stability.

   $76,494 spent
   17% of program spending

3. Miss internships: interns spend the summer in sarasota working with miss directly on a project of their choosing. They assist with the summer camp, and help with shark field research as well.

   $73,917 spent
   16% of program spending

4. North carolina bull shark project: miss is working with scientists and community members to understand how bull sharks use inland waters as nurseries in both florida and north carolina. After years of focused research on manatees, attention is now shifting to bull sharks in crystal river, florida, where little data currently exists regarding their population and nursery habitats. Miss member dr. Alyssa andres posits that crystal river could be a crucial nursery for this species on florida west coast, especially as water conditions evolve. She started a new research initiative in collaboration with miss that aims to quantify and monitor the local bull shark population. The project involves the local community, particularly fishermen, who provide valuable insights into the sharks' daily presence and activities. For this project, alyssa is tracking baby bull sharks using acoustic telemetry.

   $29,080 spent
   6% of program spending

5. Shark lady: a fiscally sponsored musical written by christie chen and produced by miss about the life and work of dr. Eugenie clark

   $28,054 spent
   6% of program spending

6. Summer camp: the miss summer camp is a free marine science program intended to provide accessible science experiences for rising 9th-12th graders from historically excluded groups in stem. Campers receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Students participate in a broad range of activities including fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, field surveys, and more.

   $23,854 spent
   5% of program spending

7. Crystal river bull shark project: research project to better understand how juvenile bull sharks utilize the crystal river in north carolina

   $18,644 spent
   4% of program spending

8. Research summit: an annual summit where miss members present their own research at a conference. During the week, in addition to presenting on their research, there are also community and networking opportunities, and opportunities for hang out events for members to spend time together.

   $17,036 spent
   4% of program spending

9. Science at the sea (sarasota and not sarasota): science at the sea has fantastic marine science programs, intended to provide accessible science experiences for kids from historically excluded groups in stem: including gender minorities, racial/ethnic minorities, members of the lgbtq+ community, and people from low income or underserved communities. We have events throughout the year that are open to the public. We also host field trips and events with schools and community groups. We have a wide variety of possible activities. Some of the things participants may get to do include: learn about their local watershed, build remotely operated vehicles (rovs), get up close to some aquatic animals, learn to code with drones, and explore the marine science field through fun games.

   $6,378 spent
   1% of program spending

10. Rookery bay fellowship: a 5-week long research experience with the rookery bay nonprofit. The participant gains field research experience with marine fishes.

    $5,289 spent
    1% of program spending

11. Red tide project: scientific investigation into how the neurotoxin (brevetoxin) produced by the algae karenia brevis during florida red tide blooms is incorporated and metabolized in sharks as well as other organisms throughout trophic levels.

    $5,242 spent
    1% of program spending

12. Virtual inclusive coasts workshop series: an online workshop series for collaboration across countries.

    $3,328 spent
    1% of program spending

13. Spring break camp: this is a week of activities intended to teach participants how we can use the ocean to learn about science, technology, engineering, art, and math (steam) participants will get to experience a broad range of steam fields including chemistry, environmental science and engineering. They will also have the opportunity to complete their own project and present it for their friends, family, and community members at the end of the week. This program is intended to provide accessible science experiences for middle schoolers from historically excluded groups in stem including: gender minorities, racial/ethnic minorities, members of the lgbtq+ community, and people from low income or underserved communities. Lunch, snacks, and transportation will be provided.

    $2,837 spent
    1% of program spending

14. Love the oceans fellowship: a 2-month fellowship with the ngo love the oceans. The participants assist them with their marine megafauna and coral reef surveys, ocean trash research, and teaching and swimming lessons for locals. They also gain experience working at a remote field station.

    $2,055 spent
    0% of program spending

15. Bio leaps: the field of shark research suffers from a number of issues that have led to a culture and climate that is unwelcoming and inaccessible for many scientists and, in particular, historically and contemporarily excluded individuals. The american elasmobranch society (aes) represents a collective of shark researchers in north america, and as such, this problematic culture can be pervasive within the society itself. However, aes is not unique in facing such challenges as a society. A culture that excludes historically and contemporarily minoritized individuals has been reported for many small-to-medium-sized societies of this nature. Despite the issues aes and other societies face, aes has a tradition of leading the way with change, and thus we propose to lead in the creation of culture change that can then be extended to other small-to-medium-sized societies. Specifically, through this design proposal, we seek to 1) provide a more welcoming and safe meeting for aes and similarly sized societies, accomplished through changes to the guiding documents and policies of aes; 2) see culture change within aes that facilitates diversity in membership, accomplished through intensive…

    $1,834 spent
    0% of program spending

16. Gill guardians: we create content to educate the general public about sharks, skates, and rays, the threats they face, and conservation efforts to protect them. Courses include video lessons, activities, quizzes, and action items. Our k-12 program will give students a chance to learn about shark biology and conservation while engaging with women of color working in the field of shark science. In the grades k-2 class, students will get to do fun science experiments and exercises to learn about what makes sharks special. In the grades 3-5 class, students will explore shark anatomy while learning about some common shark species. The middle school class (grades 6-8) will learn about some of the threats facing sharks and how scientists are working to understand and reverse negative human impacts on shark populations. Finally, the high school class (grades 9-12) will learn about some of the techniques scientists use to study sharks while getting to practice analyzing some real data.

    $1,367 spent
    0% of program spending

The 16 programs described on its FY2025 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $463,272.