From the Lab to the Classroom: Tyler Visits MAST@Homestead

Last week our CEO, Tyler, spent a morning at MAST@Homestead talking with students about what science looks like outside the textbook. It was one of those visits that reminds you why we started Anchor Down in the first place. Curiosity, community, and a healthy dose of adventure can change a young person’s idea of what their future might be.

Tyler opened with a simple question: “What does a scientist actually do all day?” Then he told a few stories...

In South Africa, he worked with teams studying crocodiles and helping conservation partners who protect wildlife. The work was not glamorous. It was early mornings, muddy boots, long drives, and a lot of careful data collection. He talked about how field days teach you patience, how you learn to make good decisions when the plan falls apart, and how every sample or data point has a story behind it.

He also shared moments from West Africa, where conversations with local scientists and community leaders centered on the ocean as a source of life. Students asked about beaches covered in plastic, about artisanal fishing, and about how science can support people who rely on the sea for food and income. Tyler explained that progress often starts with small, steady projects that the community helps shape.

Back in Miami, Tyler’s PhD research at Florida International University focuses on corals at the cellular level. He studies how light and stress affect the tiny symbiotic partners that keep corals alive. It is careful, detailed work. Lots of pipettes and incubators. Lots of questions that do not have quick answers. He told the students that the big picture of reef health depends on thousands of small truths from labs like his. That is why he stays stubborn about good methods and clean data.

Of course, he also talked about Anchor Down. Our nonprofit exists to protect ocean life and to bring more people into the work. We run beach cleanups, share tools for learning, and support student projects when we can. Tyler told the room that the ocean needs more problem solvers, artists, divers, coders, and teachers. There is room for everyone at the table.

The best part of the visit was the Q and A. Students asked direct questions. How do you pick a major if you like everything? How do you find research opportunities? Is it possible to travel, do science, and still build a career? Tyler’s answers were practical. Email three professors this week. Show up on time and follow through. Learn to write clearly. Keep a simple portfolio of your work. Be kind. He also shared that his pilot’s license and captain’s license did not make him a better scientist on paper, but they made him more useful in the field and opened doors he did not expect.

One student wanted to know what to do if they care about the ocean but are not sure they are a “science person.” That question landed. Tyler said the ocean does not care about labels. If you can design a poster, organize volunteers, fix a camera, edit a video, or write a grant, you are part of the solution. Start small. Do one thing well. Then do it again.

We left MAST@Homestead feeling hopeful. The students were engaged, honest, and unafraid to ask hard questions. That is the kind of energy that moves conservation forward.

Thank you to the faculty and staff who welcomed us into your classrooms and gave your students the space to explore big ideas. We would love to come back.

If you are a teacher or student who wants to connect, reach out to us. We can help with guest talks, hands-on activities, and student mini-projects tied to real ocean challenges. And if you are one of the students who asked about getting involved, send us a note with a line or two about what you want to learn this year. We are listening...