North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island Uses Skype to Reach Classrooms

By C.P. "Buster" Nunemaker, III

Manteo, NC - Lauran Jozik, aquarist at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, saw a message on her Facebook page from one of her friends that said, “Does anyone work with things that deal with the ocean?” The question was posed by Ellen Shepherd, a teacher at Midland Elementary School, in Elkins, West Virginia. Jozik responded that she worked at the Aquarium, would that work? Shepherd replied yes, and this is the rest of the story.

Shepherd, who knew Lauran from their college days, discussed ways they could communicate with the 31 1st through 5th grade children at Midland Elementary School about the ocean. By using a software application called Skype, and its video conferencing capabilities, this would allow Jozik to talk with and see two classes of students, while telling them what she does at the aquarium. Lauran expressed her excitement by saying, “They loved it!” She also admitted, “It was fun for me to see and hear their excitement.” What was the strangest question,” How do you keep your makeup on?” Being underwater most of the day Jozik explained, “I don’t wear any.”

Using this technology has opened another door for accomplishing outreach to children who can’t visit the aquarium. It is safe to say without Skype, these children may not have gotten to experience the information Lauran Jozik shared with them.

Skype (pronounced /skap/) is a software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet. Calls to other users of the service, and in some countries to free-of-charge numbers are free, while calls to other landlines and mobile phones can be made for a fee. Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing.

Photo credit: NCARI

Photo caption: By using technology known as Skype, Lauran Jozik, aquarist at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island (seated) shares information about the Aquarium and the ocean with Ellen Shepherd, teacher at Midland Elementary School, Elkins, WV (on screen) and her elementary school students.

To view North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-2025-North_Carolina_Aquarium_on_Roanoke_Island