Stockbridge InvenTeam travels to nation’s capital to debrief and present its findings

The Stockbridge InvenTeam visits the National Park of American Samoa’s visitors center. From left to right: Kael Bunce, Lori Zemke, Katelyn Knieper, Michelle Zemke, Hailey Howard, Bob Richards, Kaleb Adkins, Chelsey Asquith, Molly Nichols, Julia Marhofer, Baylee Heidrich, Hailee Fraser, Chloe Miner, and Kaitlin Miller.

On the final day of their trip, the students made their way to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to present at the American Geophysical Union through the Bright Stars program.

by Katelyn Knieper, Sylvia Whitt, Hailey Howard and Michelle Zemke

From Dec. 10 to Dec. 13, Katelyn Knieper, Michelle Zemke, Sylvia Whitt and Hailey Howard traveled to Washington, D.C. to debrief and present their team’s findings from their trip to American Samoa.

Day one after their arrival in Washington, D.C., the students visited Sen. Gary Peters’ office to discuss their work in the Great Lakes and in American Samoa.

“Meeting Senator Peters was truly an amazing experience!” Katelyn Knieper said. “Having something we both could relate to and were passionate about was both exciting and inspirational.”

The students ended their coffee hour bonding over their experiences and the senator’s work to help expand the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

“Meeting with Senator Peters and his staff was an amazing experience, and one that not many high school students get,” senior Michelle Zemke said. “While there, I found out that he and I share a connection of diving on the Monohansett, a shipwreck in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.”

The team then visited the Capitol to meet with Rep. Debbie Dingell’s staff for a tour and official business. Next, the students traveled to the Washington Monument, the White House and the National Christmas Tree, making sure to find Michigan’s and the American Samoa’s trees.

Wednesday, the young women traveled to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationheadquarters for a debriefing on their recent expedition to American Samoa. In sitting with faculty, they discussed in depth the effects of their project on local residents and themselves, and plans for the future projects.The students toured the headquarters and saw the sound room and film equipment.

“I was very appreciative to all of the NOAA staff that we met on Wednesday,” sophomore Hailey Howard said. “I was amazed by all of their knowledge on marine science, and I am so grateful that they shared their advice with us. I hope that we can continue to work with them in the future.”

On the final day of their trip, the students made their way to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to present at the American Geophysical Union through the Bright Stars program. They met with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.

Here, they presented on two topics. The educational outreach and ROV workshop they conducted in American Samoa, and their bottom fish study and research undertaken in conjunction with NOAA and the National Park Service.

After their presentations, they joined other Bright Stars students for lunch and a tour of the exhibition hall that featured their projects and host of others.

InvenTeam members meet with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.

“The American Geophysical Union’s annual fall conference was an amazing experience,” junior Sylvia Whitt said of the conference. “It was so exciting to talk with people who really appreciate the work you’ve done and can relate to some of the problems that arise during these projects. It was also a cool way to meet professionals and hear their testaments on their job fields.”

After the conference concluded, they headed to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to make their way back to Michigan.

Mission accomplished: Not only had the students wrapped up and debriefed their expedition to American Samoa, but they also networked with many people about future projects and expeditions.

“The experience in going to D.C., meeting new people, and presenting our work about our expedition to American Samoa is one I will never forget,” Zemke said.

A student from American Samoa retrieves their ROV from the water after a test drive.

All those who participated in the ROV workshop gathered in front of the Ocean Center after testing their ROVs in the pool.

Two students troubleshoot buoyancy before placing their ROV back into the water.

The Camera System boat crew works to get the camera system ready to deploy by mounting the GoPros.

InvenTeam members Michelle Zemke and Kael Bunce prepare the ROV for deployment.

The students make sure to find he American Samoa’s and Michigan’s Christmas trees.