Scott Simon, Director of The Research Experience & Education Facility

Today's guest is Scott Simon, Director of the The Research Experience & Education Facility, better known as The REEF. The REEF is UCSB’s teaching aquarium. Scott is also the Marine Science Institute Education & Outreach Program Manager. At the REEF he leads a team that uses current, cutting edge research to improve science literacy and inspire responsible Ocean stewardship. Born in Santa Barbara and a lifelong lover of the Santa Barbara channel, Simon has an Associates degree in Biological Sciences from SBCC; a Bachelor’s of Science in Ecology & Evolution from UCSB; and a Master’s of Science in Marine Science from UCSB.

Located at Campus Point Beach, the REEF is part of the Marine Science Institute’s (MSI) Oceans-to-Classrooms (O2C) education and outreach program. Equipped with state-of-the-art touch tanks and aquaria, The REEF provides an “Ocean View of the World” for students in Southern California including Santa Barbara, Ventura, Kern, Los Angeles, San Diego, and beyond! The REEF’s unique method of instruction and science communication utilizes current and on-going research at UCSB and aligns it with Common Core, and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Combined with strategic on-campus partnerships with the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education and the Office of Education Partnerships, as well as other environmental and science departments, MSI produces high level science, literacy and pedagogical programs for K-12 students, teachers, college courses and the community-at-large.

Bits of Music You May Notice: Yo La Tengo, "Georgia Vs. Yo La Tengo," Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, "The Orange Ocean," King Kong, "Scooba Dooba Diver."

This episode was first broadcast on 91.9 KCSB-FM on Thursday, February 17, 2022.