The collaboration of scientists and youth is transforming marine research. These types of partnerships pair professional expertise with the inquisitiveness of youth, creating innovative solutions and a renewed global commitment to ocean conservation. In this blog, we discuss what these partnerships look like, why they matter, and how mentorship and ocean literacy equal a sustainable marine future.

Sharks have fascinated humans for centuries, often portrayed as fearsome predators. Yet beyond the myths, they play a critical role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. Modern shark research is shedding new light on their behavior, migration, and ecological importance. By understanding these apex predators, scientists are developing strategies to conserve their populations and protect marine biodiversity on a global scale.

The ocean accounts for more than 70% of the surface of the Earth, but we still know very little about it. Far under the surface is a world full of life and geological sculptures that we’re just beginning to know. Today, ocean science research is breaking new ground by exploring and characterizing the complex communities of organisms living in environments at the extreme limits of the ocean, and by emphasizing the ocean’s role in serving life on our planet.

For centuries, the deep ocean has been one of those final frontiers on Earth, vast, dark, and largely unknown. But beneath the surface is an incredible world teeming with secrets to be discovered. Today, with pioneering deep-water exploration, scientists are going deeper than ever before, discovering new ecosystems, species, and geological marvels that are revolutionizing our knowledge of the planet.

Across the world, a new generation is taking the helm of ocean conservation. Young people are no longer waiting for change; they’re creating it. Through youth ocean engagement, students and emerging leaders are combining science, activism, and innovation to protect the planet’s most vital resource: the ocean.

Ocean science education is leading a revolution in how we think about and conserve these important creatures. With the help of new technologies, such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and interactive marine science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs, students and communities are learning why conservation of sharks is important and how they can participate in the conservation of our oceans.