Author: Sinh Nguyen

Posted on

Sinh Nguyen: On a Tuna Mission, July 11, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Sinh Nguyen

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

July 7, 2025 – July 24, 2025

Mission: Larval Bluefin Tuna Slope Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Ocean, Slope Sea

Date: July 11, 2025

Location: Norfolk, Virginia

Science Log

Uplift Education, Mighty Primary students:  Happy Friday!  There’s still a month of summer break left, but that doesn’t mean the learning stops.  Today, I’m writing about our science mission.  A mission is a special job or task that people work hard to complete.  Let’s keep growing our brain today by learning more about bluefin tuna.

Have you ever heard of bluefin tuna before?  What do they look like?  Where might it live in the ocean?  Go ahead and visualize, or imagine, the answers in your mind.

Now, let’s learn about bluefin tuna.

an underwater view of a school of bluefin tuna, looking up toward the surface of the water
Bluefin tuna live in the Atlantic Ocean.  Scientists have found that they can be born in places like the Gulf of Mexico and now the Slope Sea, where we are sailing to, near the US East Coast!  Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries

Did you know that some bluefin tuna are as long as a small car and can weigh over 1,000 pounds?  That’s heavier than a big bear!  But, when they’re born, they’re super small.  Only about the size of a grain of rice. 

When they’re babies, they’re called larvae.  Scientists have found a new place in the ocean, called the Slope Sea, where many larvae are born and grow.  This area is near the Northeast coast of the US, between the land and a strong ocean current called the Gulf Stream.

an illustration of a bluefin tuna, which sports blue dorsal (back) and caudal (tail) fins
Can you guess why bluefin tuna are named that way?  Hint: take a close look at their fins! 
Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries

Scientists are excited because this new discovery helps protect bluefin tuna and understand how they grow.  They used special nets to catch the tiny larvae and studied their bones to learn how fast they grow.  This research helps us take better care of these incredible ocean animals.

magnified view of a larval bluefin tuna, which looks like a mostly see-through triangle-shaped creature with a large reflective eye.
What do you think a larvae needs to stay safe and grow in the ocean? Photo credit: NPR

So, what is our mission?  We know that tuna are big fish, but they start out super tiny when they are larvae. Scientists want to know how many bluefin tuna live in the ocean.  To do this, they look at larvae and try to match them to their parents using something called DNA, like a puzzle piece from your family.  Everyday, we will look in the ocean for larvae.  If we find a lot, we’ll stay there.  If we don’t, we’ll try a new spot.  This helps us learn how to protect tuna and keep them safe.

on the deck of the ship (in port), a group of people stand around a scientific instrument. it has four canvas sails in a cross arrangement around a central pole. Dave holds two round orange floats, and Cristina holds a mesh net trap suspended from lines. lying around the deck underfoot are thick teal ropes.
We’re building special tools called drifters that will float in the ocean.  These drifters have light traps on them.  The light helps attract larvae.  They will be dropped into the water.  This will help us collect larvae for our mission.  It’s like setting up a gentle trap to learn more about sea babies!

Uplift Education, Mighty Primary students and parents: if you’re interested in learning more about this research, please find more information here: https://www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/evidence-bolsters-classification-of-a-major-spawning-ground-for-atlantic-bluefin-tuna-off-the-northeast-u-s/.  Can you point to the pictures of the bluefin tuna larvae?

One of the scientists on our ship is Dave Richardson, who wrote the paper you just read about.  He’s the Chief Scientist of this mission.  This means that he’s the leader of all scientists on this mission.  Dave’s an expert in bluefin tuna, and he knows a lot about how they live and grow!  In the next few blog posts, I’ll tell you more about him and the amazing team of scientists working with him!

a group photo of five women and one man lined up in front of a railing on an upper deck of NOAA Ship Pisces; large ships docked in the port of Norfolk are visible in the distance
Some members of our science team, including Chief Scientist, Dave Richardson (far right).  I will introduce and talk more about each scientist in the next few blog posts.

Personal Log

Sometimes, even when we plan a lot, things don’t go the way we want.  This happens in our classroom when we learn new things.  It can also happen on a boat!  A few hours into the sea, our boat had to come back to the port in Norfolk, Virginia.  For the last few days, lots of people have been working hard to get the boat ready to sail again.  I’ve learned that being flexible, which means being okay with change, is very important on a boat because things can change anytime.

Selfie photo of Sinh from the flying bridge (topmost deck) of NOAA Ship Pisces, with a view of the Pisces' bow behind him, and the large vessels of the port of Norfolk beyond. The sky is blue and cloudless, and the water has a very even ripple.
view from a high deck over the bow of NOAA Ship Pisces; large vessels line the docks at the port to the right. the sky is blue and cloudless, and the water has an even ripple.
A view of other boats and vessels as we departed from the port.  While sailing, you can hear birds, feel the cool breeze, and even see dolphins!
Watch carefully. What animals do you see?

We can practice being flexible every day, just like on the boat!  Can you tell your parents about a time when you had to be flexible or change your plans?  How did it feel?

I know the scientists worked hard to plan this mission, so I practiced being flexible by staying calm and understanding when the schedule changed.  When we had free time, I tried to help whenever I could.  For the last few days, we’ve been staying outside of the ship.  This gave us lots of time to bond, which means getting to know each other better.  On our science team, there are a total of 9 people.  I’ve really enjoyed spending time exploring the city with everyone.  Bonding with your teammates is important because it helps us build trust, feel appreciated, and work together as a team when the hard work starts!

The following pictures show us exploring Norfolk. The weather here feels just like a Texas summer: hot and humid!  We saw big naval ships and visited a cool place called the Nauticus Museum.  There, we learned all about the history of Norfolk and the many different ships that have sailed in the past.  It was a fun way to learn while exploring.

Sinh smiles for a photo on a brick walkway, near a sign that reads Welcome to Waterside Marina
At the Waterside Marina
two women read an interpretive sign along a walkway, near the water; we can see pilings, water, a bridge in the distance. the sign is titled: The Cannonball Trail.
Norfolk is a city by water.  It is next to the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay.  You can see boats, bridges, and seagulls everywhere!
Sinh stands on one leg, arms outstretched, to mimic the pose of a statue of a swimming mermaid located along a brick walkway near the water. in the background we see docked pleasure craft and the masts of a tall ship.
Norfolk has a mermaid as its city symbol.  Just like how a lion is our school symbol.  You can find colorful mermaid statues all around town.
view of the outside of the Nauticus museum, from the parking lot
Nauticus is an amazing museum where you can explore real ships, touch sea animals, and discover what life is like on the water. You can even see NOAA photos and research on display!
a woman sits on a machine mock up of a sail boat, turning a rudder to turn the sail, while a fan creates a wind effect
four people stand around a circular feature at the museum; it is unclear what it does
Teamwork makes the dream work!
heat map image of Sinh
a woman stands next to a small wooden boat mounted on a deck of the museum
a woman plays a game with sailboats at the museum
Sinh takes a selfie - with a group of five others in the background - on the deck of a battleship
Norfolk is home to the world’s largest naval base, which means lots of ships and sailors live and work here.
view from the dock, towards the bow, of the battleship in port
We went on a tour of Battleship Wisconsin, one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy.

Did You Know?

Bluefin tuna are fantastic swimmers!  They can swim as fast as a car driving on the highway, up to 40 miles per hour!  That helps them catch their food and travel across the ocean.

Video source: SUPERFISH BLUEFIN TUNA, broadcasted on the National Geographic Channel.
Posted on

Sinh Nguyen: A Change of Command, July 8, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Sinh Nguyen

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

July 7, 2025 – July 24, 2025

Mission: Larval Bluefin Tuna Slope Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Ocean, Slope Sea

Date: July 8, 2025

Weather Data:

12:06 PM Eastern Time

Currently, the temperature is 28.9°C (84°F).  The wind speed is 10 knots.

Career Log

Uplift Education, Mighty Primary scholars: Howdy from the sea!  Mr. Nguyen here.  I hope you’re enjoying your summer (and reading lots of books).  Yesterday, I moved onto NOAA Ship Pisces.  It was a long day at the port meeting everyone and learning the rules. 

view of NOAA Ship Pisces in port, as seen from the dock well ahead. also along the dock are a truck, some dumpsters, a large spool - various equipment involved in loading the vessel
I arrived early morning at the port in Norfolk, Virginia
Sinh, wearing his Teacher at Sea t-shirt, poses for a photo in front of the ship on the dock. We can see the NOAA logo, NOAA acronym, and hull number (R 226) painted on the hull of the ship.
Right away, everyone made sure I felt comfortable, safe, and prepared for the sail.

On the ship are the following crews, or teams: NOAA Corps, deck department, engineering, survey, stewards, electronics, and scientists – which I’m a part of.  Excitingly, there was a Change of Command ceremony, a special event when one commanding officer (CO) gives the ship to a new one.  So, in honor of this celebration, I’ll be dedicating this post to the ceremony and to the career stages of NOAA Corps officers!

NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  They study and protect the ocean, weather, and animals. 

Uplift Education, Mighty Primary scholars, what kind of animals do you think NOAA study in the ocean and in the sky?  Let’s think, act them out, and draw!  If you’d like, ask your parents to post your work in the comments!

A NOAA Corps officer is like a scientist and a ship captain.  They wear uniforms and lead missions (special tasks) on ships.  We respectfully address an officer by his/her rank or ship position.  Yesterday, I got to see a Change of Command ceremony.  That’s when one commanding officer (CO) finishes his/her job, and a new commanding officer (CO) takes over the ship.  It’s kind of like picking and celebrating a new class leader.  It shows respect, teamwork, and leadership.

view down (perhaps from the ship?) of a tent and chairs set up in the parking lock of the dock. We cannot see NOAA Ship Pisces, but another NOAA Ship, Ferdinand R. Hassler, is docked nearby and its name is clearly visible.
NOAA Corps Officers and crew members set up the Change of Command ceremony.
a group photo of 15 NOAA Corps Officers in formal white uniforms and hats in front of NOAA Ship Pisces. We can see the NOAA logo, NOAA acronym, and hull number (R 226) painted on the hull, at right. the sky is light blue with dramatic, swirling clouds.
NOAA Corps outside NOAA Ship Pisces.

The ceremony took place outside Pisces.  All officers wore white uniforms with badges and stripes that showed their rank (like how high their job is) and accomplishments (the amazing things they’ve done).  Families, friends, and crew members said goodbye to the former CO and later cheered for the new CO.  There were speeches and salutes to celebrate!  After the event, there was time for lots of photos and personal congratulations.

two men in white uniforms and hats stand facing each other, saluting, in front of a podium with the NOAA logo on it. a third officer overseas the ceremony from behind the podium. we can see the gangway of a ship beyond the tent's edge.
The former CO and new CO saluting each other.
Sinh, wearing a Teacher at Sea t-shirt, stands for a photo next to the new commanding officer, in formal white uniform. they stand on deck in front of NOAA Ship Pisces, and we see the city of Norfolk in the distance.
The ceremony went great! The rain stopped and the weather was nice when everything started.

Seeing this ceremony was a great way to understand NOAA Corps officers and the importance of their work.

It takes a lot of practice and leadership skills to become a NOAA Corps officer!  Here’s how it works:

  1. Apply to join: https://www.omao.noaa.gov/noaa-corps
  2. If accepted, go to Basic Training Academy as an Ensign.
  3. Complete Basic Officer Training Class
  4. Serve as a Junior Officer aboard a NOAA Ship
  5. Show leadership, earn sea time, and complete more training.
  6. Be promoted to Lieutenant Officer and you may be selected as an XO.
  7. Get more leadership training and experience and you may be selected as a Commanding Officer (CO).

Can you list and write the steps someone takes to become a NOAA ship leader?

a flow chart with five empty steps connected by arrows
Document source: Sinh Nguyen

The NOAA Corps supports all crews on ship in many important ways.  For the science crew, they make it possible for scientists to do their work safely and successfully on sea.  Learning more about NOAA Corps makes us appreciate their incredible leadership and accomplishments! 

In the classroom, how can you start developing your leadership skills?  Just like NOAA Corps officers, we can show leadership skills in many ways.  Every day is a chance to grow into a leader.  Which learner profiles can we demonstrate to help others, take responsibility for our actions, and work together as a team?  Go ahead and point to a trait that you can commit to for the new school year.

a diagram with an illustration of the globe in the center and 10 spokes leading out to images in circles. the spokes are labeled: inquirers, balanced, principled, caring, open-minded, communicators, reflective, risk taker, knowledgeable, thinkers.
These are International Baccalaureate (IB) attributes that help us become great leaders at Uplift Education, Mighty Primary.  NOAA Corps officers show these traits when they lead their crew and support science missions on the ship.  How can we practice these traits every day to grow as leaders? Photo credit: IB/PYP Website

Personal Log

There was so much to learn about crew members and rules, but everyone was so helpful.  I felt like many of you have before, like a new student on the first day of school.  A challenge was figuring out the layout, or set-up, of Pisces.  At first, it felt like a maze as I was trying to figure out where to go and which rooms are in which deck.  However, after asking for help, I was able to understand the layout better. 

view of one of the ship's narrow hallways
The hallways can be tight, but it taught me to be respectful and safe moving through a shared space.

I really felt welcomed by my Chief Scientist, Dave Richardson, and by his science crew.  The Chief Scientist is responsible for leading science research during this mission.  In my next post, I’ll share more about the scientific work we’re doing at sea!

a group of four people walk across a brick-covered pathway through a park
Some of us explored Norfolk, Virginia, as we walked to a restaurant for dinner.  Downtown Norfolk is about a 15-minute walk from the dock, with a lot of beautiful ocean views and history. 
selfie photo (taken by Sinh) of six people on a dock; the four closest people are smiling for the camera and the two in the back seem to be looking elsewhere
Hanging out in Norfolk
view of city street. we can see an American flag on display. the sky is bright blue with some wispy clouds.
Norfolk Streets
photo of a large battleship, as seen from head of the bow. the water is very calm and there is a beautiful sunset.
Battleship Wisconsin
two women smile from a bench seat in a bar and hold up a piece of paper awarding a $15 prize
At the restaurant, we played and placed 3rd in a game of trivia. 
six people standing around on deck looking at large thick rope snaking all around; we can see the dockside area of Norfolk in the background, off ship
On deck on NOAA Ship Pisces
four people, two sitting in computer chairs and two leaning against nearby walls, look intently at a computer screen in the computer lab of the ship
There were lots of opportunities to get to know the scientists, who are very supportive and friendly, just like all the crew members I’ve met so far!
three people stand around some sort of equipment on board that has cross pieces, a mast of sorts, and canvas wings. Sinh is at right, and he and the woman in the center smile for the camera while another woman works on the equipment.
We continued preparation.  I’m excited to share more about this for the next post!

Did You Know?

On NOAA ships, there are different names used for what we’re usually used to.  For example:

Bedroom = stateroom

Bathroom = head

Floor = deck

Kitchen = galley

Dining Room = mess deck

Front of the house: Bow (front of the ship)

Back of the house: Stern (back of the ship)

view of a ship's stateroom containing two bunk beds (so, four berths total.) there is a locker room at the far side. each bed has navy bedding and brighter blue sliding curtains.
This is a photo of my stateroom (bedroom) on the ship. I share it with three other crew members. We all work at different times, so we have to be quiet and respectful so everyone can rest.

Learn more about NOAA Ship Pisces here: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/technology/vessels/pisces/pisces.html

Explore previous research missions here:
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/maps/ocean-exploration-data-atlas/

Posted on

Sinh Nguyen: Rooted in the Pacific, Sailing Toward Purpose, June 19, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Sinh Nguyen

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

July 7, 2025

Mission: Larval Bluefin Tuna Slope Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Ocean, Slope Sea

Today’s Date: June 19, 2025

Embarkation Date: July 7, 2025

Personal Introduction

Howdy from Fort Worth, Texas! My name’s Sinh Nguyen, and I’m a 2nd grade teacher at Uplift Education Mighty Preparatory.

I grew up in Aliso Viejo, California – bordered by Laguna Beach – along the southern Pacific Coast.  Some of my favorite memories were made at its beaches: Catching our breaths while trailing down Laguna Beach’s infamous “Thousand Steps” for a workout; blasting music around San Clemente Beach’s firepits while huddling for bonfire warmth; and scrambling around with food trays at Dana Point’s Doheny Beach Park while searching for a picnic site.

Five members of Sinh's family (possibly, a mother with four siblings?) sit in a line on rocks at the seashore for a family photo. Behind them, the ocean is a very bright teal color, and the sky is whitish-blue with cloud cover.
A family photo taken in Laguna Beach, California. 

I then relocated to Los Angeles for my undergraduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where there was a travel-study opportunity in Honolulu, O‘ahu, for environmental conservation work.  One day, at the top of the Diamond Head trail, I stared into the ocean.  She was so mighty… and vast.  So spectacular that everything else around seemed incomparable.  The feeling was humbling; and it taught me to seek out beauty among the unknowns of our world’s depth.  I reminded myself to not only learn more about the waters, but to share that experience with others.

Sinh, clutching a water bottle, poses in the corner of this view for the photo. He is surrounded by something like palmettos. Beyond, we see the lights of Manoa, the high rises of Waikiki, and a mountaintop (Diamond Head?). The sky is pink with dark clouds, just after sunset.
Me atop the Puʻu Pia Trail near the University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa, our travel-study host campus.
a collage of three photos: at the top, a group of students clusters on the side of the road overlooking the ocean; at lower left is signage on the road that is difficult to read; at the lower right is a beautiful cove.
Our group, following an exploration and clean-up project of protected lands in Honolulu.

Fast forward to today: I moved to Fort Worth in 2016 to complete teacher training through the urban education model with City Teaching Alliance and Johns Hopkins University. Since then, I’ve been working as a primary school teacher here.  I’ve noticed that even though oceanography is slightly covered in our science curriculum, students are particularly fascinated by the sea and its inhabitants (e.g., they fall in complete silence during Finding Nemo).

While there are pockets of water in North Texas, most of my students have never experienced the coast.  “Mr. Nguyen, how can SpongeBob SquarePants live under the sea?” “Do octopuses behave like Ursula?” and “Can we make sand angels like they do in Lilo and Stitch?” are oftentimes asked as I hook students with sea world experiences.  These “tricky questions” – inquiries – are my motivation behind this excursion.  This sail will help me contextualize and gain first-hand experience of oceanic research, while exposing students to world-renowned scientists.  My students are feeling extra curious and excited about the trip’s findings.  They predicted a lot of seasickness (as a first timer aboard a ship) and plenty of “fish [to catch and study] because the waters are warmer in the summer.”

As I’ve told my students, for the following weeks in sea, the mission is clear: “To research, to inform, and to find Nemo!” Photo courtesy of Uplift Education.

Preparing for Research at Sea

Howdy, from Los Angeles!  After flying out of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, I planned to take the Amtrak down to Orange County for a family reunion.  But there’s been a delay on the train, which means time to kickstart my travel blog.  This trip is a chance to revisit loved ones before sailing, as not everyone has been caught up to speed yet in this process. 

For preparation, I’ve been studying more about NOAA Ship Pisces, internalizing excursion protocol, and learning more about larval bluefin tuna. Because there are physical demands to this expedition, I’ve been following a daily running and fitness regiment.  Mentally, I’ve been maintaining an open mindset as we’re told throughout training: anything can go once in the ocean!

overhead view of NOAA Ship Pisces underway, leaving a bright blue wake against a dark blue sea
All to be aboard NOAA Ship Pisces! (Photo credit: NOAA Ship Pisces Facebook page)

On Monday, July 7th, I’ll be joining NOAA Ship Pisces in Norfolk, Virginia.  I’ll have the honor of attending her Change of Command Ceremony; and there were arrangements made to ensure a warm welcome from the crew.  I’ll spend that first night acclimating to life at sea and familiarizing myself with the crew and daily operations.  The fishery research will begin on the following Tuesday and involves me participating in shifts of up to 12 hours, assisting the science crew, and documenting the experience through weekly blog updates.  Essentially, I am supporting the mission as directed by the scientists and officers.

So, as I prepare to sail the waves aboard NOAA Ship Pisces, I carry with me the excitement and wonder of the students and school community I serve.  I hope to bring back a wave of discoveries that will inspire the next generation of scientists to explore, protect, and appreciate (and demystify) our waters.

Let’s drift out into the ocean!