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Program History

The SCMRD has provided research experiences for minorities at the undergraduate college level and encouraged underrepresented groups to select careers in the marine and environmental fields. In 1989, MRD began funding summer internships in which minority students attending South Carolina's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) could participate in diverse research programs. In 1996, the National Science Foundation's Ocean Sciences Program, in collaboration with MRD funded a multi- year grant for undergraduate minority research in marine and environmental science. In 2001, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 's Coastal Ocean Program provided funding for undergraduate research in coastal ocean science. Students, who were recruited nationally, participated in hands-on scientific research.

Program Objectives: Although the format of the past MRD training programs changed over time the primary objectives did not:

• Increase the career and academic participation of minorities in the fields of marine, environmental and coastal ocean science.
• Enhance the knowledge and research/technical skills of minority students in the sciences, while developing their confidence in preparing written and oral presentations.
• Provide students the opportunity to interact with professional scientists to see first hand the benefits of obtaining advanced degrees in marine, environmental, and administrative career development.
• Encourage students to increase their qualifications in science fields by continuing their education through graduate school.