Kendra Clifton-Pew has been a budding scientist since elementary school. When she attended Shaw Island School as a youngster, scientists from the San Juan Nature Institute worked in her classroom, guiding her in projects like raising and releasing salmon, publishing an intertidal field guide, researching shoreline inventories and heading out on oceanography field trips aboard the Research Vessel Centennial.

“The experiences that I had there fostered my interest in science and specifically oceanography,” said Clifton-Pew of her early years in school and exploring the waters around her native island. Not surprisingly, the Friday Harbor High School Junior jumped at the chance to apply for an elite internship aboard the E/V Nautilus through the Ocean Exploration Trust.

“I was nervous, as I knew that the program was very selective, but…I really wanted to be a part of such an amazing program,” said Clifton-Pew. “I had no idea if I was a likely contender, so the news of acceptance was thrilling!”

The Ocean Exploration Trust’s 2016 Nautilus Expedition drew a record number of competitive applicants, but the effort Clifton-Pew put into her application—including two essays, multiple letters of recommendation and a video she made herself, plus a video interview—helped her stand out. Her impressive list of extracurricular activities didn’t hurt either. For the past two summers she has attended science-based academic camps through Johns Hopkins University in the fields of neuroscience and genetics, has been a consistent member of the local Orca Bowl team and is active in her school’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics programs.

Founded in 2008 by Titanic discoverer and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Robert Ballard, the Ocean Exploration Trust offers educators and students hands-on experience in ocean exploration, research and communications during expeditions aboard their Exploration Vessel Nautilus, according to their website www.nautiluslive.org. As one of the Honors Research Program interns, Clifton-Pew will spend a week aboard the E/V Nautilus after a full month of preparation.

“I will be spending a month at the University of Rhode Island to learn about the different fields of oceanography and prepare for participating in live commentary aboard the Nautilus,” said Clifton-Pew. “This will be followed by one week on the E/V Nautilus off the coast of Southern California.”

The crew will focus on the minimally explored Southern California margin, where Clifton-Pew’s job will be to work with other members of the scientific crew to record operational, engineering and scientific observations and data, log and process collected samples and participate in live stream videos via the Nautilus Live website.

“Most of my life, I’ve spent a great amount of time outdoors and on the water, from hiking and kayaking to riding ferries,” said Clifton-Pew. “These activities fostered a love for the islands and gave me the knowledge of how unique this environment is. With this, I hope to be able to take part in scientific research that could someday make an impact in the Pacific Northwest.”