Inspiring the Next Generation of Science Leaders: Vanessa Sandoval and Carla Camacho from Ocean Discovery Institute

The Finest City

As part of the Knowledge to Action series, this episode features two leaders from Ocean Discovery Institute, Board Member Vanessa Sandoval, and Carla Camacho, Manager of Business Development. They discuss their previous experience with the Institute and how getting involved at a young age helped shape their careers in adulthood. Vanessa and Carla discuss the mission of Ocean Discovery Institute, and the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion while inspiring the next generation of science leaders. They share how someone can get involved, and what the Institute is doing to provide education and experiences for young people traditionally excluded from science due to race, income status, or background.

Timestamps:

[2:21] Vanessa and Carla discuss joining Ocean Discovery as students and how they found community and a sense of belonging while quenching their thirst to learn more about marine life and science.

[4:54] Ocean Discovery Institute's mission is to transform lives through science, by inspiring the next generation of science leaders. The Institute creates learning experiences for young people that are traditionally excluded from science due to either their race or income status.

[5:05] The Institute’s goal is that the students will join high-paying fields that will break generational poverty, and in turn, that will eventually change the future of science.

[7:59] Vanessa and Carla talk about selecting the community in City Heights, where there are close to 20,000 young people who are representatives of a diverse number of cultures and ethnicities.

[8:30] How is Ocean Discovery inspiring the next generation of science leaders?

[13:05] What are some of the resources available to students at Ocean Discovery?

[16:48] How does Ocean Discovery empower young people to address the challenges that are seen in our oceans?

[19:29] Vanessa and Carla discuss how the San Diego watershed affects oceans and beaches and how we can protect San Diego’s most sensitive resources.

[25:33] Some of the key players include the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and on a federal level, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On a state level, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. On the local level, in addition to the City of San Diego, there is SANDAG (the metropolitan planning organization) and the County of San Diego.

[27:00] How does Ocean Discovery build awareness of topics like global warming and climate change?

About C-3

In its 60 years of existence, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) has brought together local thought leaders from planning, design, policy, academia, community development, and more to address our region’s distinctive and pressing land use challenges. In founding C-3 almost 60 years ago, architect Lloyd Ruocco’s vision was to bring together our region’s most creative minds from the arts, sciences, academia, and government to share ideas, learn new perspectives, and build fellowship around the idea of creating livable communities.

Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:

C3sandiego.org

Ocean Discovery Institute

Quotes:

• “When I joined Ocean Discovery as a freshman student, I found a community where I felt a sense of belonging.” [2:50] — Carla

• “I feel like throughout Ocean Discovery, I have received so much. I’ve gotten so many resources and been connected with so many people that have helped me move my career along.” [5:28] — Vanessa

• “I think one of the ways that we inspire the next generation of leaders is that we inspire the students to become anything that they want to become.” — Carla [8:41]

• “I think it’s important to think about how our personal actions can make a difference.” — Carla [21:25]

• “San Diego is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the country, so our resources are really important. I think as a region, we take that really seriously, and we have a lot of plans and regulations and guidelines, in order to help make sure that we keep those resources safe for years to come.” — Carla [23:26]