Symone Barkley

Chief Learning Officer

Symone is a proud Baltimore-born scientist and educator who has had a wide range of experiences in the marine science field. Symone has studied algae, blue crabs, sand tiger and sandbar sharks over the years in undergrad and graduate school. Even with her exciting research experience, Symone’s passion for educating young people remains at the forefront of her priorities. Symone is a member of NAAEE’s Environmental Education 30 Under 30 program and has launched A Peace of Nature STEM kits for children and youth which aims to equip traditionally excluded communities with resources and knowledge to act sustainably in their everyday lives and advocate for sustainable behavior in their communities, and provide students with interesting and engaging hands-on learning activities, and encourage literacy in young audiences to help address the STEM learning gap and drive diversity in the field.
Symone supports Black in Marine Science because it provides an opportunity to build community with her peers, potential mentors, and aspiring Black marine scientists. Reach out to Symone if you would like BIMS members to engage with youth and/or undergraduates in your programs.