CELP Scholar Lightning Talks Spark Inspiration for Local Students

October 7, 2024

The Aquarium of the Pacific’s 2024 cohort of CELP (Community, Equity, Learning, Persistence) Scholars gathered for their symposium on September 28, 2024. The day-long event was designed to better connect scholars to each other, to the Aquarium, and to provide valuable time together. The Aquarium of the Pacific’s CELP Scholar program provides scholarships, professional development, and networking opportunities to students pursuing marine science.

Each scholar gave a five-minute “lightning talk” to an audience of high school students For their presentations, the CELP Scholars were asked to share their science, background, or inspirations as they moved through their own journey in marine science. Scholars told personal stories of volunteering, visiting the Aquarium at a young age, being outside, believing in themselves, facing adversity, and finding their passions. Inspiration, perseverance, a love of science, and messages of encouragement were common themes across the talks. In attendance at the Symposium were sixty Long Beach Unified School District high school students from the Odyssey Pathway at Lakewood High School. The scholars’ lightning talks were also live streamed for remote viewing and recorded for future students’ career exploration.

“The thing that was most inspiring to me was not only how the scholars shared all of their success during their journeys, but also the moments where they faced adversity and proudly shared how they overcame it and how it affected them. That made me feel hopeful and less timid for the future.” -Lakewood High School Student

“[It was valuable for the high school students] to see themselves represented in the scholars and to hear their stories about overcoming obstacles and challenges in their journeys. It was also great for them to understand the value of community college.” -Yassi Khairolomour, Lakewood High School teacher and the Odyssey Pathway lead.

Scholar alumni from the Aquarium’s African American Scholar Program, Aquarium board members, donors, partners, and senior staff were also in attendance for the morning lightning talks. The afternoon session was held exclusively for the scholars and alumni. The conversations during this time allowed scholars to build community and learn about future career opportunities. Professionals in sustainability, marine policy, and academia shared their own career pathways and answered questions about navigating the field as diverse scientists. Staff from the Aquarium of the Pacific also presented a range of projects at the Aquarium, giving the scholars more ideas about how to engage with the Aquarium in the future.

The Scholar Symposium ended with a casual reception for staff members, CELP Scholars, STEM professionals, and alumni to enjoy conversation and reflections on the day. More engagements and collaborations will be held in the coming months. Applications for the 2025 cohort of CELP Scholars open October 11, 2024, and must be completed by December 1, 2024.