Shayna “Tessa” Erickson first fell in love with marine science when she was a high school volunteer with the Seattle Aquarium. She fondly remembers teaching a group of kindergarteners about the unique life history of the Giant Pacific Octopus. Tessa states, “We were staring up at the glass tank, entranced as the adult female spread her arms over our heads. I described how an octopus’s suction cups have sensory receptors that allow them to taste what they are touching. This was my first experience as a science teacher!” Tessa earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Drexel University, and she is currently enrolled in a Post Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program at Framingham State University. She is excited to use the diving training grant to gain a new skill that can be used to enhance her future science classroom.