The M.A.D Interns have Arrived!

It's that time again! On June 15th we had three new Marine Educator Interns start working here at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. We are really excited to have them kick off the summer with us, and help move forward on our various projects. Two of the interns are full time and will be with us until October 31st. The third intern is part-time and will be leaving us in August when she heads back to college. Here is a little something about each of them:

Megan Veley is a full time intern who grew up in Ithaca, New York! She recieved her Bachelors of Science in Natural Resources Management & Policy from Paul Smith's College in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. Megan then attended school in Iceland to obtain her Masters in Natural Resources Coastal and Marine Management. She always dreamed of living on the West coast, where the mountains meet the ocean. Megan saw the Marine Science Center as a perfect opportunity to explore the West coast, while still pursuing her dream to help protect and conserve the oceans she loves. It's hard for Megan to choose her favorite marine animal, but she has formed a special bond with Harry the Helmet Crab in the Marine Exhibit!

Amber Heasley is the other full time intern who grew up in Overland Park, Kansas! She received her Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences with an emphasis on Ecology and Evolution from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Amber was introduced to the Marine Science Center when she began volunteering here shortly after moving to Port Townsend. Soon after, she applied for the internship so she could continue to learn about marine biology and help educate the public on conservation issues. Amber's favorite class of marine animals are cephalopods, and she especially enjoys the octopuses that live in the Jewel Tanks in the Marine Exhibit.

Daphne Hamilton is our part-time intern, but we are extra excited to have her around because she is a Port Townsend local! She graduated from Chimacum high school and spent the past two years at the University of Washington and this fall she will be transferring to Lewis and Clark College. Daphne will be majoring n Environmental Studies with a minor in Dance. Growing up in Port Townsend she loved visiting the Marine Science Center. Daphne believes that working here will give her the experience she needs to pursue a career in conservation, while learning more about the area she grew up with (we agree!). One of her favorite marine animals in the Marine exhibit is the Nudibranch!

Our awesome volunteers think it's easiest to remember them as the M.A.D interns (Megan, Amber, Daphne)...nothing to do with their personalities at all!