NOAA Teacher at Sea
Stacey Morris
Aboard NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker
July 26 – August 10, 2026
Mission: Integrated West Coast Pelagics Survey
Geographic Area of Cruise: West Coast Pacific Ocean
Date: July 24, 2026
Weather Data from Eugene, Oregon – Mahlon Sweet Field (KEUG)
Latitude: 44.13333° N
Longitude: 123.21444° W
Wind Speed: North at 8 mph
Air Temperature: 28°C / 82°F
Introduction
Hi! My name is Stacey Morris, Spanish & College/Career teacher at Churchill High School, in Eugene, Oregon. Tomorrow, I begin an incredible journey as a NOAA Teacher at Sea, and I couldn’t be more excited! This opportunity combines my love of education with the chance to experience science in action alongside NOAA scientists and crew members. I’ll be stepping aboard a research vessel to learn firsthand how ocean science is conducted and why it matters.
As an educator, I know that some of the best learning happens outside the classroom. My goal is to bring this experience back to my students in meaningful ways. I’ll be sharing what I learn about the many careers that make ocean research possible—not just the scientists, but also the officers, the engineers, deck crew, and others who keep a research mission running. I hope these stories will help my College Success students explore career pathways they may never have considered.
While I’m excited, I’m also nervous, as I know this adventure will push me outside my comfort zone, a lot! I’m looking forward to asking questions, learning from experts, making new friends, and experiencing life aboard a NOAA research vessel. Every day will bring new opportunities to discover something I can share with my students – I hope I can keep up with everything!
My father, who passed away just shy of 98 years old in March, was the one who inspired me to apply to NOAA. He was a high school biology teacher with a passion for marine science. We spent many vacations poking around in tide pools, and he was always curious about the creatures, critters, and plants surrounding us. He was so excited to hear that I was accepted, and I know that he is with me in spirit on this trip.
Throughout this voyage, I’ll post updates about the research we’re conducting, life aboard the ship, the people I’ll meet, and the amazing science happening at sea. Whether you’re one of my students, a fellow educator, family member, or simply curious about NOAA’s work, I invite you to follow along.
I just found out yesterday that I will be deploying three drifter buoys that we can track as they float and collect data. They will be decorated with CHS Lancer stickers, so even the fish will know our name. 🙂
Tomorrow the adventure begins, and I can’t wait to share the journey with all of you!
Science and Technology Log
On Saturday, I will board NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker in San Francisco, a premier research ship equipped with cutting-edge technology for global fisheries study. I will be part of the Integrated West Coast Pelagics Survey, collecting data on Pacific hake and other fisheries through acoustic data, biosampling data, eDNA, and ecosystem data to understand the health of our fisheries with a changing ocean. I will soon find out what that data collection looks like and how it is done (and what some of those words even mean!).
¡Vámonos, la aventura empieza!