Preeti Pachauri of Stanfield Elementary School District has been selected by the Ocean Exploration Trust as a 2026 Science Communication Fellow — a professional development experience that will carry her more than 2,000 miles across the open Pacific Ocean this summer. Chosen from a pool of applicants, Pachauri will sail aboard OET’s Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus for 13 days at sea alongside world-class scientists, engineers and ocean explorers, before returning home to share the extraordinary experience with students, families and the broader Maricopa community.

As one of just 14 Fellows selected from schools, science centers and nonprofit organizations across Oceania and North America, Pachauri’s achievement reflects not only her personal excellence but also the strength of the educational community she represents. Preeti will join the expedition in June for expedition NA178 — a voyage that will map never-before-seen seafloor between Hawaii and Guam. This mission marks the debut of a new acoustic multibeam mapping system aboard E/V Nautilus, while also conducting open-ocean biodiversity surveys from the deck of the ship. Every discovery and every new mile of ocean floor mapped will represent a contribution to humanity’s understanding of our planet’s final frontier.

“Science Communication Fellowship invests in great educators, providing them with real-world experiences in ocean technology and elevating them as role models for learners. As Fellows are embedded at-sea alongside scientists and engineers, they convey the excitement of discovery and inspire students in their exploration of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and ocean fields,” said Megan Cook, OET’s director of education and outreach.

The OET Science Communication Fellowship brings formal and informal educators on board Nautilus to engage students and the public in the wonders of ocean exploration while sharing discoveries from the 2026 mission and aspects of daily life aboard a working exploration vessel. Throughout the year, Fellows develop their science communication skills, attend in-person professional development training alongside Fellows worldwide and spend several weeks as a crucial part of the team aboard E/V Nautilus. Fellows bring ocean exploration back to their home communities by incorporating their experiences into classroom lesson plans, community presentations and informal educational opportunities.

While at sea, Pachauri will have the opportunity to engage live with learners across Arizona through NautilusLive.org — OET’s 24-hour live-streaming web portal that uses cutting-edge telepresence technology to bring deep-ocean expeditions to explorers on shore and through social media. She will participate in live broadcast interactive question-and-answer sessions with worldwide audiences.

Schools and community groups can also schedule free, live one-on-one Q&A sessions with explorers aboard the ship, beginning in June. It is a rare and remarkable chance for Stanfield’s young learners to speak directly with scientists and explorers as discoveries unfold beneath the waves — in real time.

“Being selected for NA178 is deeply meaningful to me. I will be helping map an unexplored section of the seafloor, and I can’t wait to bring that learning, curiosity and sense of discovery back to my classroom. It feels incredible to represent my community in a program that opens doors for students to dream bigger,” said Pachauri. 

The OET Science Communication Fellowship is far more than a single voyage. Throughout the year, Fellows develop their science communication skills, attend in-person professional development training alongside cohort members from around the world and spend several transformative weeks as a fully integrated part of the team aboard E/V Nautilus. Upon returning home, Fellows are expected to weave their ocean exploration experiences into classroom lesson plans, community presentations and informal educational events — amplifying the impact of every discovery far beyond the ship’s deck.

“We are incredibly proud of Preeti’s selection for this expedition. Our entire district is excited to see the real-world science, exploration and learning she will bring back to our students, staff and community,” said Stanfield Elementary School District Administration in a statement Tuesday.

Ocean Exploration Trust, a nonprofit founded by Dr. Robert Ballard, operates with a mission to explore the unknown parts of the ocean, seeking out multidisciplinary discoveries while pushing the boundaries of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics education and technological innovation. OET promotes STEAM education worldwide, using the excitement of exploration and innovation to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, including by providing students with opportunities to participate in expeditions.

“Every expedition we run adds to what the world knows about our ocean — but knowledge only matters if it reaches people,” said Allison Fundis, OET’s president and chief operating officer. “Our Fellows are how that happens. They go where very few ever go, witness discoveries firsthand and bring them back to the students and communities who will shape how we understand and steward the ocean for generations to come. That’s why we explore.”

OET’s five 2026 expeditions will take the team to the Mariana Islands, near Wake Island and the Hawaiian Islands. The expeditions will build ocean knowledge supporting international scientific and U.S. governmental priorities, particularly understanding ocean changes, sharing that knowledge with others and contributing new discoveries and data to inform future conservation and resource management decisions.