Rutgers-MTS Glider Technology Workshop - A Hands-On Experiential Learning Workshop on Slocum Gliders and an Opportunity for Workforce Development and Microcredential Certificates

Marine Technology Society is developing a series of Ocean Technician Microcredentials to facilitate both traditional and alternate routes to the Blue Economy workforce. This Microcredential plan consists of skillset tiers for various oceanographic technologies, including autonomous underwater vehicles. Ocean gliders are autonomous underwater vehicles used for an array of science and research applications, such as climate change, tropical storm intensification and model data assimilation, water quality and ocean acidification, and fisheries management. Gliders allow for safe, affordable, and around-the-clock data collection and can be deployed inexpensively, for months at a time in a variety of ocean conditions. Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership and the Marine Technology Society host a week-long hands-on workshop on underwater glider technologies each June. Participants are introduced to the Teledyne Webb Slocum glider through experiential learning opportunities including preparing, ballasting, deploying, and piloting the glider. The workshop maximizes the active learning for all participants, while also ensuring comprehension of the essential basics applicable to Slocum gliders and many other AUVs. The goal of the workshop is for participants to gain an introductory knowledge of and justification for underwater glider principles and their associated science applications that can be built upon in future experiences. This workshop's authentic, introductory approach to AUV s, specifically Slocum gliders, fundamentally aligns with MTS's ocean technician microcredential plan at the Foundational tier for a Glider Trainee, meant for core knowledge and experience relevant to the specific technologies. The seamless overlap between MTS's endeavor and RUCOOL's Glider Workshop benefits all participants by providing assessed certification of participant skill and knowledge that will accelerate employment in the New Blue Economy.