Nestled between the 75 vertical miles (120 kilometers) of Earth’s atmosphere and the deepest point of the ocean is a strip of air called the planetary boundary layer. This region, located in the lower troposphere (the lowest portion of the atmosphere, up to six miles, or 10 kilometers, in altitude), is where friction from the earth’s surface influences temperature, moisture, and wind.

It’s not every day that you meet a high school student who already has three summers of scientific research, as well as a poster presentation at a professional scientific conference, under his belt. But Luke Stewart isn’t your average student.

Primary students at Saltus Upper Primary School and Somersfield Academy gained an early introduction to ocean science in January through in-school presentations from two BIOS scientists. The presentations, part of BIOS’s Curriculum Enrichment Program, supported local teachers who wanted to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content in their classrooms through immersive experiences with their students.

While the first week of January means a return to school for many, students at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland can spend time between the fall and spring semesters taking intensive courses as part of the University’s “Intersession” program.

In Bermuda, students of all ages—primary school through college—have a unique opportunity to develop and demonstrate a range of skills, from math to group problem solving, by participating in the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Bermuda Regional Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Challenge. The annual event, held this year in late March and hosted by BIOS with lead donor support from HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited (HSBC), is part of BIOS’s Mid-Atlantic Robotics IN Education (MARINE) program.

Since 2005, BIOS’s Ocean Academy and Raleigh Bermuda have partnered in the support and development of young Bermudians in their six-day Outdoor Survival Camp as trainees prepare for volunteer work in Tanzania, Borneo, Costa Rica and other countries. In early April, 28 young Bermudians and their adult mentors, ranging in age from 17 to 27, participated in an environmental project on the island that exposes trainees to some of the rigors of working abroad.

This spring, Andrew Peters, director of university programs at BIOS, and Samantha de Putron, assistant director of university programs, received some good news from the National Science Foundation: their Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) proposal was awarded funding for three more consecutive years. This enables eight undergraduates to spend twelve weeks at BIOS each year, with mentorship from a BIOS scientist as they conduct an independent research project. Students hoping to come to BIOS this fall for a fully supported research opportunity (including airfare, stipend, room and board) must apply by May 31, 2018.

In recent years, libraries in North America have become much more than book repositories, providing modern classrooms and light-filled lecture spaces, comfortable group and individual study areas, and high speed Internet access. The newly renovated library at BIOS promises that and more—anyone want to learn to build a circuit for an undersea robot?

Last week, seven enthusiastic Clearwater Middle School students and two proud teachers got an experience of a lifetime when they headed to North Rock with BIOS to snorkel and operate their winning Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in the ocean.

As an invading underwater species, the lionfish is king.