Abstract
As the year 2020 began, the spread of COVID-19 and resulting global pandemic led to hasty shutdowns worldwide. Rather than close entirely, many schools within the United States turned to remote education alternatives. Distance learning—while not a new practice—had never been implemented at such a massive scale and presented a unique set of obstacles. Among these was the increased need for digital programs that were both entertaining and educational. The Seas by Degrees Graduate Student Seminar Series was aimed at answering this call. Seas by Degrees consisted of weekly to biweekly video seminars produced by Master’s, Master of Professional Science, and PhD students currently attending the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The seminar series addressed STEM subjects broadly, as it welcomed graduate presenters from any field at the Rosenstiel School. Once each seminar was produced, it was made publicly available through social media and websites associated with the Rosenstiel School. Among these host platforms, Seas by Degrees was met with exceptional engagement on Instagram, and could eventually come to have long-term success on YouTube. Usage of the seminars on YouTube suggested that some educators may even be utilizing the seminars with lessons. Seas by Degrees thus sought to assist students in distance learning for the near time, but it has the potential to grow into a far more. The seminar series may eventually evolve into a more engaging program for communicating and encouraging aspiring scientists.