Debbie Sayer has been a Marine Science Educator at Project Oceanology since May 2017, and since then has taken on the roles of Camp Director, Red Cross Certified Lifeguard, and Small Boat Captain (USCG Master of 100 GRT). She is passionate about environmental education and has made it her life’s work to inspire young people to become stewards of our ocean planet.

Debbie grew up in Groton, CT and attended summer camp, school-year programming, and after-school programming with Project Oceanology as a middle school student. She credits Project Oceanology with empowering her to consider herself a scientist, and providing mentorship to allow her to take a love of the ocean and natural world, and turn it into a career in Marine Science.

Debbie received her BS in Marine Biology from the University of Rhode Island, and worked as an environmental educator, naturalist, and classroom teacher before finding her way back to Project Oceanology.

When she isn’t at work, Debbie enjoys spending time with family, reading, hiking with her dog, and playing fife with the Westbrook Drum Corps. 

What do you love most about Project Oceanology?

It’s amazing to be able to bring students out on the water, especially on boats. Every student can take away something different from an experience like that: some will be amazed by the animals we catch, some will want to work aboard boats when they’re older, some will just find themselves closer to nature. And hopefully every single one of them will appreciate the beautiful natural resource we have in Long Island Sound, and want to protect it. Not everyone who visits Project Oceanology will become a scientist (although we have a pretty good track record for that!), but they’ll all be voters and consumers who can help shape the future of our waters.

What marine animal is your favorite?

So, so hard to choose, but one that is always near the top of the list is the mantis shrimp! They can see ultraviolet light, and can even cavitate water with their incredible claws. We sometimes catch the local species, Squilla empusa, in the trawl!