Elasmobranch
Conservation & Education Hub
Course Types
We create content to educate the general public about sharks, skates and rays, the threats they face and conservation efforts to protect them. Courses include video lessons, activities, quizzes and action items. Our K-12 program will give students a chance to learn about shark biology and conservation while engaging with women of color working in the field of shark science. In the Grades K-2 class, students will get to do fun science experiments and exercises to learn about what makes sharks special. In the Grades 3-5 class students will explore shark anatomy while learning about some common shark species. The middle school class (Grades 6-8) will learn about some of the threats facing sharks and how scientists are working to understand and reverse negative human impacts on shark populations. Finally, the high school class (Grades 9-12) will learn about some of the techniques scientists use to study sharks while getting to practice analyzing some real data.
Become an Ambassador
If you are an educator (formal or informal) or work with minority youth in grades K-12 who may be interested in learning about sharks and their relatives, we invite you to apply to become a Gill Guardians Ambassador. Becoming an ambassador is free and allows you to attend a free workshop to learn about sharks, how to deliver the Gill Guardians content and allyship training for all staff. It also unlocks additional resources, guidance and support from the MISS outreach team. Additionally, ambassadors will be featured on the website. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador please complete this form. We will contact you with additional details. Ambassador cohorts will be onboarded monthly.
Instructors: Whale Sharks
Administrator
Jasmin Graham
I am a shark scientist who studies the movement of a critically endangered species called the smalltooth sawfish. I have a love of sharks and rays with weird faces and I love being out in the field and interacting with sharks in the wild.
Instructor
Annabel Gong
I am a shark and ray movement ecology at the University of San Diego currently studying the long-term movement patterns of shovelnose and bat rays! I am most interested in using drones and other remote ways of tracking sharks to study their behavior and movement, as I did with my previous research using drone footage to study leopard shark social behavior
Instructor
Lily Rios-Brady
I am a passionate marine biologist who focuses on drones and sharks. Drones have revolutionized science in being able to study organisms from a birds eye view. Being able to observe sharks from above is absolutely amazing and very fun. I am a true shark and marine science nerd. Wanna know about drones and sharks, I am your girl!
Instructors: Tiger Sharks
Instructor
Nicole Firing
Nicole Firing is a current Marine Science Educator for multiple non-profits in the Florida Keys. Her background research is in behavioral and conservation ecology of elasmobranchs and the common clownfish. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Auburn University in 2017. Nicole has thoroughly enjoyed the various research and education positions that have taken her across the Southeastern US. She specializes in experimental education and works tirelessly at creating a holistic-focused classroom environment. When Nicole is not working, you can find her in the gym working out, gardening in her backyard or reading the most recent best-seller.
Instructor
Maria Sabando Plaza
My name is Maria A. Sabando Plaza. I am a first year master's student at the University of Delaware. My research interests include ecotoxicology and behavior. Currently, I am working with smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) to investigate the effects of mercury on the physiology and learning ability of elasmobranchs. I completed my bachelor of sciences at Florida International University in Miami,FL where I also grew up. I have been a part of educational outreach programs since my undergraduate studies, and I am excited to continue to teach kids and young scientists about sharks and all things marine!
Instructor
Andrea Leontiou
Instructors: Bonnetheads
Instructor
Chanté Lively
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Chanté Lively (she/her/ella) is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology and two minors in Spanish and Global Engagement. Throughout the years, Chanté has held numerous leadership positions and internships in the marine & environmental fields. Chanté is a passionate champion for marine and environmental outreach as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her interests are in informal marine and environmental science education and helping to introduce more Black, Indigenous, and People of Color into her field.
Instructor
Maggie McClain
Hi! I am Maggie McClain, a Friend of MISS. I studied tiger shark population genetics at the University of West Florida. I am now an educator at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I am super excited to share my knowledge of sharks will all you learners!
Instructor
Amani Webber-Schultz
Amani is a co-founder of Minorities in Shark Sciences. She graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Marine Science in May 2020. Amani has participated in morphological studies of remoras and fish walking and locomotion studies. Amani is interested in shark biomechanics and morphology. She is currently a prospective graduate student and hopes to pursue a PhD.
Instructors: Pocket Sharks
Instructor
Amani Webber-Schultz
Amani is a co-founder of Minorities in Shark Sciences. She graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Marine Science in May 2020. Amani has participated in morphological studies of remoras and fish walking and locomotion studies. Amani is interested in shark biomechanics and morphology. She is currently a prospective graduate student and hopes to pursue a PhD.
Instructor
Jahnita DeMoranville
Jahnita DeMoranville is a graduate from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science. She grew up in Rhode Island around lots of beaches, nicknamed the Ocean State for a reason. Jahnita has many interests outside of marine science both in and out of the water, some of those interests include theater, drawing and identifying insects and plants. She has worked and done research in many different topics in marine science, everything from plankton to big fish. Jahnita is a prospective grad student hoping to study Elasmobranchs and Cephalopods.
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