Ignite: Sparking Professional Growth for Sea Grant Scholars
By Jessie Curl, LCSG Communications Lead
In late August, Lake Champlain Sea Grant (LCSG) welcomed four new Sea Grant Scholars to its fifth cohort. Established in 2020, the program provides undergraduate students from the University of Vermont and SUNY Plattsburgh with a 13-month experiential learning opportunity designed to deepen their understanding of scientific research, community engagement, and science communication. As part of the program’s immersive “Ignite” professional development experience, the scholars embarked on a journey through the Lake Champlain basin, gaining firsthand insight into the diverse work and partnerships that support Lake Champlain Sea Grant’s mission.
The experience began with a day on the Indian Brook Reservoir in Essex, Vermont, alongside LCSG and VT Department of Environmental Conservation staff member Mark Mitchell and LCSG Extension Program Leader Kris Stepenuck. While out on the water, the scholars learned about the Vermont Lay Monitoring Program and stepped into the role of volunteer monitors themselves, collecting samples for water quality analysis and learning about how activities on land influence the health of nearby waterways.
The scholars returned on Friday morning, ready to dive into the world of science communication with LCSG Lead Communicator Jessie Curl. After discussing the basics of science communication and its role in connecting research to community impact, the scholars took part in a hands-on “message box” activity. Working in teams, they were given the same topic, phosphorus in the Lake Champlain basin, and challenged to communicate it to two different audiences: farmers and waterfront homeowners. The exercise highlighted the importance of tailoring scientific messages to audience interests and concerns. For example, the scholars found that waterfront homeowners may be most interested in how phosphorus contributes to cyanobacteria blooms, affecting recreation on Lake Champlain. Meanwhile, farmers may be interested in the economic benefits of reducing fertilizer use and improving nutrient management practices. Through this activity, the scholars practiced translating complex scientific topics into a digestible format to make it relevant, meaningful, and actionable for the intended audience. The science communications session wrapped up with a visit to the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s Resource Room at the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, where the scholars learned about another key partner in LCSG’s work throughout the basin.
“I loved getting to meet the experts and students at the ECHO center,” shared Lex Singh, a 2026 Sea Grant Scholar. “Hearing about the incredible work they do and how they ended up there gave me hope and inspiration on how I can find success and serve the VT community both during and after my undergraduate studies.”
The scholars later joined the full LCSG team for a “lunch and learn,” where seasonal interns reflected on their summer experiences and shared their favorite moments from their work across the basin. In the afternoon, the cohort toured several green stormwater infrastructure projects in the area with Jill Sarazen, LCSG Green Stormwater Collaborative Coordinator, gaining a closer look at innovative approaches to managing stormwater runoff in Burlington. On Saturday, the scholars met with Anne Jefferson, LCSG Director, to learn about microplastics research being conducted by her lab to assess microplastic presence on Lake Champlain beaches. The Ignite experience concluded with a waterfront cleanup hosted by the Lake Champlain Basin Marine Debris Coalition, allowing the scholars to participate in hands-on stewardship with direct impacts to the community.
By the end of the three-day experience, the scholars had gained a deeper understanding of the Lake Champlain Basin and LCSG’s mission. As they begin their journey as Sea Grant Scholars, these students will gain skills, connections, and knowledge that will serve as the foundation for future careers in the environmental world. By next summer, these scholars will be finishing their summer internships that are supported through the Sea Grant Scholars’ program. They will each be matched with a STEM-focused faculty member, business, or organization involved in developing and sharing science-based information to benefit the environment or local economies in the Lake Champlain basin.