oceanseer

Working in Providence Rhode Island, the ocean state, Yemaya Strategy's work in technology commercialization and economic development around New England Underwater Autonomous Vehicles and sensor technology has made it clear that these capabilities will be crucial in mitigating climate change's impact on the oceans.

Rising sea temperatures have led to coral bleaching events, devastating marine ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef. Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide, threatens marine life at all levels as well as food security in places such as New England, Additionally, melting polar ice caps are causing sea levels to rise, putting coastal communities at risk of flooding and erosion.

These changes disrupt marine ecosystems and affect weather patterns, global food supplies, and economies. Urgent action is needed.

By utilizing UAVs, drones, and sensors, detailed data on these changes can be gathered providing insights into the health of our oceans. This data can be used to strengthen and inform climate resilience and adaptation projects, helping communities prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate change. I propose integrating all this technology into a shared testbed called Oceanseer: this data can then be provided open source through a dashboard for all to view and download. Moreover, New England residents can be trained on this technology using a combination of workforce development and employer dollars. In this way, we're empowering communities including the underserved to be part of the solution while providing needed workforce to tech firms fighting these problems. Doesn't hurt that Oceanseer will also enable people to find high-paying climate jobs. Together, we can make a real difference in understanding and addressing the impacts of climate change on our oceans."

The data can also make a compelling argument for transitioning off fossil fuels and reducing emissions -- ultimately what is going to save our oceans. By integrating all into one platform, we can see the urgent scale of our current problem in one place. Eventually, these test beds could be replicated around the globe, giving us not only a dashboard to see a problem but the baseline we need for testing solutions. Transitioning to renewable energy sources is not only essential for the health of our oceans but also for the health of our planet as a whole and human resilience.

Oceanseer is a multi-functional coastal and underwater test facility developed to serve communities, the military, academia, government and industry. We envision the test bed to be situated in an underserved coastal community in New England such as Lynn, MA. The facility would have tools researchers require to develop new underwater technologies including low cost ocean sensors; underwater autonomous vehicles (UAVs); underwater UAV docking systems; guidance, navigation, and control algorithms; saildrones; underwater robots, acoustic communication; and autonomous remote sensors in robots and drones.  These technologies would be recruited from universities, startups in the area, and larger employers in the area in need of shared testbed technology. Much of this data would be used to build a model of the ocean floor in the area but this could also be filtered into the cloud into a dashboard for education and workforce development uses. We could use existing AWS and GIS technologies to store and build that dashboard.

Over the next decade, America’s ocean economy is poised to grow by $300 billion, supporting critical sectors like clean energy, national security, aquaculture, climate mitigation, and more. New England residents can be trained on this technology at the test bed using workforce development dollars. Training residents will help close wage pay gaps and reduce inequality. We can also use the data and visualizations to educate local children about climate change as well as about the professions they could train for to help fight climate change. In this way, we're empowering communities including the underserved to be part of the solution.

Throughout my career, I have spearheaded various initiatives that exemplify this commitment to service and innovation Oceanseer would require. For instance, in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Housing, I helped develop a pioneering model of Federal wraparound services aimed at providing holistic support to individuals at the newly reopened McKinney shelter including workforce development like Oceanseer. Similarly, my efforts in supporting the development of Vermont’s Outdoor Recreation cluster underscore my dedication to fostering economic growth and resilience within communities. I have extensive experience in technology commercialization and tech park experience to bring to this project as well as metric development.

In addition to my operational and economic development acumen, I have actively engaged in philanthropic endeavors, focusing on initiatives related to community development, housing, healthcare, and climate resilience. My past work with FEMA for instance honed my skills in aligning philanthropic efforts with community needs, a skillset that I am eager to leverage to drive positive change within the areas MIT solved is called to examine. In a different project, I coordinated and convened technical assistance and grant support from several agencies simultaneously to assist Maine tribes in initiating aquaculture projects they did not know how to start. I have extensive experience working with underserved communities.

Furthermore, I am excited about promoting Oceanseer: using my extensive communication and marketing skills to educate, recruit and train the world about the work. For instance, I worked on national strategy to promote the importance of building codes in reducing impact from disasters.  In addition, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a renewed emphasis on quality of life and climate resilience. Together, I believe we can seize upon this momentum to harness new technologies and adopt more efficient practices, ranging from building codes to energy efficiency to maritime logistics.

Should my passion for emergency management and technology, combined with my holistic approach, resonate with your vision, I would be thrilled to further explore this opportunity. Regardless of the outcome, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for the invaluable work that FEMA does.

There are pieces throughout New England and employers and institutions who have expressed interest in a program such as this but no one has placed these exact pieces together. This has been discussed and endorsed by institutions in RI and MA and pieces can be brought from NH, PR, AK and HI.

I think winning Solve will give technical and financial support that will allow me and my team to bring all the different conversations we have been having and strategies detailed into one test bed located in the Boston-Providence area. We are looking for seed funding to purchase the land and start the development of the test bed as well as technical assistance with developing the dashboard. We could also use some advice on governance on shared data platforms. The rest we know how to do or have partners that do.

Ocean test beds are catalyzing platforms. By allowing for lower risks through shared investment and by providing virtual testbed environments, the ocean seer platform will allow for rigorous and replicable testing of ocean test bed technology. This makes it easier for startups to move out of the seed phase and into the SME phase by reducing risk for there is less investment upfront before a product is tested. Additionally these companies will not have to invest in equipment for prototyping and testing but use what is on the test bed - a moneymaker for the project. Additionally, our integration with workforce pipelines in line with what is going with DOD and the submarine industrial base is a gamechanger. We also envision marketing and giving Raspberry pi type/lego Mindstorm-type kits - a simplified version of ocean tech - to students and others interested as a way of familiarizing people with the tech and getting them interested in jobs in the cluster. These would be branded and connected to the project.

New England's sector is rapidly growing, driven by increasing demand for solutions to address marine conservation, national security, and sustainable energy production. However, a shortage of skilled workers with the specialized knowledge needed to innovate and operate within this sector exists. Establishing a dedicated ocean technology test bed provides a platform for collaboration, innovation, and education for the New England ocean tech cluster.

Theory of Change:

1. Workforce Development for New England:

   • According to the World Economic Forum, investing in workforce development is crucial for addressing skills gaps and ensuring that industries have access to the talent they need to thrive (WEF, 2018).
   • Programs such as apprenticeships, vocational training, and educational partnerships have been shown to effectively equip individuals with the skills needed for specialized industries (OECD, 2019).

2. Establishment of an Ocean Tech est Bed:

   • Research indicates that innovation hubs or technology parks, like an ocean tech bed, play a critical role in fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and economic development within specific sectors (Martin et al., 2015).
   • These hubs provide the necessary infrastructure and resources for research, development, and commercialization of new technologies (Feldman et al., 2019).

3. Linkage Between Workforce Development and Ocean base Test Bed:

   • A study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that integrating workforce development efforts with industry hubs can lead to more effective skill development and better alignment with industry needs (NASEM, 2017).
   • The European Commission highlights the importance of connecting education and research with industry to ensure that graduates are equipped with the skills demanded by the job market (European Commission, 2020).

4. Impact:

   • Workforce Capacity: Research suggests that aligning workforce development with industry hubs enhances the capacity of the workforce to drive innovation and address sector-specific challenges (Martin et al., 2015).
   • Economic Growth: Studies have shown that innovation hubs contribute to economic growth through job creation, attracting investment, and the development of new technologies (Feldman et al., 2019).
   • Environmental Sustainability: By integrating workforce development with the ocean tech bed, the sector can develop sustainable solutions for ocean management, contributing to environmental conservation and resilience (OECD, 2020).

Outcome:

By linking workforce development with an ocean tech test bed, we expect to spur more company formation, increase patents, raise wages, lessen inequality and increase resilience while creating needed data.

References:

• Feldman, M. P., Guy, F., & Kenney, M. (2019). The new landscape of innovation: Evidence from the globalization of R&D and innovation hubs. Research Policy, 48(9), 103773.
• Martin, R., & Sunley, P. (2015). On the notion of regional economic resilience: conceptualization and explanation. Journal of Economic Geography, 15(1), 1-42.
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). Building America's Skilled Technical Workforce.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2019). Getting Skills Right: Future-Ready Adult Learning Systems.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2020). OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2020.
• World Economic Forum (WEF). (2018). Towards a Reskilling Revolution: Industry-Led Action for the Future of Work.
• European Commission. (2020). European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience.

Based on the theory of change provided, our impact goals focus on several key areas:

1. Workforce Capacity:

   • Increase the number of skilled workers entering the ocean technology sector.
   • Ensure that these workers possess the necessary technical skills and knowledge to innovate and address sector-specific challenges.
   • Close the wage gap between underserved communities and richer neighborhoods
   • Increase certification and pipelines to non-traditional degrees and credentials

2. Economic Growth:

   • Stimulate economic growth within the ocean technology sector through job creation, innovation, and investment attraction.
   • Measure the growth of the sector in terms of revenue, employment opportunities, and the number of startups or businesses established.
   • Increase the number of patents and improve the research quotient of key university partners in the area

3. Environmental Sustainability:

   • Develop and implement sustainable solutions for ocean management and conservation.
   • Measure the impact of these solutions on biodiversity preservation, pollution reduction, and ecosystem health.

Considering these areas, your impact goals could be:

Short-term Goals (1-3 years):

• Increase the enrollment in workforce development programs focused on ocean technology by 10%.
• Establish partnerships with 5 number of educational institutions to align curriculum with industry needs.
• Provide 40  number of internships or hands-on training opportunities within the ocean tech bed.
• Partner with 3 local workforce development boards

Medium-term Goals (3-5 years):

• Gradually reduce the skills gap within the ocean technology sector, measured by the percentage of employers reporting difficulty in finding skilled workers.
• Increase the number of ocean technology startups or businesses supported by the ocean tech bed by 25%.
• Increase data usage by 10% Y/Y

Long-term Goals (5+ years):

• Achieve a self-sustaining ecosystem where the ocean technology sector drives economic growth and innovation within the region. Create 10 new companies Y/Y in New England.
• Become a global leader in sustainable ocean technology solutions, recognized for both economic success and environmental impact.
• Establish the ocean tech bed as a center of excellence in the field, attracting talent, investment, and collaboration from around the world and establish a steady cohort of 10 new companies per year using the test bed.
• Plan 2 more test beds in other parts of North America.

The following are important parts of the New England ocean cluster that have been identified:

1. Remote Sensing and Monitoring:

   • Satellite imagery and drones for monitoring marine ecosystems, weather patterns, and maritime activities.
   • Buoy systems for collecting real-time data on ocean currents, temperature, and salinity.

2. Underwater Robotics and Autonomous Vehicles:

   • Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for underwater exploration, mapping, and data collection.
   • Subsea sensors and instruments for measuring oceanographic parameters and marine life.

3. Renewable Energy Technologies:

   • Offshore wind turbines and tidal energy systems for sustainable energy production.
   • Wave energy converters and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems.

4. Aquaculture and Fisheries Technologies:

   • Smart aquaculture systems for sustainable fish farming, including sensors for water quality monitoring and automated feeding systems.
   • Technologies for fisheries management, such as fish tracking and stock assessment tools

5. Ocean Data Analytics and Modeling:

   • Big data analytics for processing and analyzing large volumes of oceanographic data.
   • Numerical modeling and simulation tools for predicting ocean behavior, climate change impacts, and marine resource management.

6. Marine Engineering and Infrastructure:

   • Floating platforms, mooring systems, and marine structures for offshore operations and aquaculture.
   • Coastal protection and erosion control technologies, including artificial reefs and shoreline stabilization measures.

7. Ocean Waste Management and Pollution Control:

   • Technologies for detecting, monitoring, and cleaning up marine pollution, including oil spills, plastic debris, and chemical contaminants.
   • Innovative waste management solutions for coastal communities and maritime industries.

8. Maritime Safety and Navigation:

   • Radar and sonar systems for maritime surveillance and navigation.
   • Autonomous vessel traffic management systems and collision avoidance technologies.

9. Ocean Exploration and Tourism:

   • Submersibles and manned submersible vehicles for deep-sea exploration and scientific research.
   • Technologies for marine ecotourism, including underwater viewing platforms and virtual reality experiences.

1 Full-time staff person with economic development, commercialization, workforce development and real estate backgound

3 other workers (communications, marketing, PR, economic analysis)

Other contractors as needed including former political officials in area.

1 year  and 2 months on this particular project

Lead is black, non-binary, femme presenting, pansexual who stands out when working on these issues and has long advocated that we need to reach beyond the ivory tower to incorporate people in these solutions. We intend to do this using the following tactics that align with our policies creating an inclusive environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds can thrive and contribute to innovation.

 A workforce development and inclusive research program aligned with these principles can help make the ocean tech cluster more diverse by addressing barriers to entry, providing support, and fostering a culture of inclusivity. Here's how:

1. Outreach and Recruitment:

   • The workforce development program can actively recruit participants from underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, and individuals from low-income backgrounds. This aligns with MIT's commitment to diversity and broadening participation in STEM fields.
   • Collaborating with community organizations, schools, and outreach programs to identify and attract diverse talent pools ensures that opportunities are accessible to all. This includes CAP agencies and workforce boards.

2. Training and Wraparound services:

   • MIT's DEI policies prioritize providing support and resources to ensure the success of individuals from underrepresented groups. The workforce development program can offer tailored training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to address the unique needs and challenges faced by participants.
   • Providing financial assistance, such as scholarships or stipends, can alleviate financial barriers and enable individuals from low-income backgrounds to participate in the program. Transportation and childcare subsidies would be key targets.

3. Inclusive Curriculum and Environment:

   • The program can incorporate principles of diversity and inclusion into its curriculum, ensuring that all participants feel valued and included. This may include discussions on unconscious bias, cultural competency training, and promoting diverse perspectives in problem-solving.
   • Creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where individuals feel respected and empowered to contribute fosters a sense of belonging and encourages retention.

4. Partnerships and Collaborations:

   • Partnering with organizations and companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion, such as minority-owned businesses or MBE industry associations, can provide additional support and opportunities for participants. 
   • Engaging with employers within the ocean tech cluster to promote diversity in hiring practices and create pathways for program graduates can help sustain diversity beyond the program itself.

5. Evaluation and Continuous Improvement:

   • MIT's DEI policies emphasize data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. The workforce development program will evaluate its impact on diversity metrics, including participation rates, retention, and career outcomes for underrepresented groups.
   • Feedback mechanisms, such as surveys and focus groups, can be used to gather input from participants and stakeholders to inform program enhancements and ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of diverse communities.