Science Saturday Ӏ Ocean Dreams: Young Scientist Spotlight
Youth scientists across the Virgin Islands represent the future of exploration, innovation, and problem-solving. In a recent episode of Science Saturday, Kenneth Douyon, a NOAA Fellow from the Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas, met with Alejandro Quiñones Jr., a sophomore at the St. Croix Educational Complex and a mentor with the Youth Ocean Explorers (YOE), an educational program at the University of the Virgin Islands. They discussed what inspired Alejandro’s interest in marine biology, oceanography, engineering, and science communication.
Alejandro began as a participant with YOE in 2024. Through his experiences in the program, he earned his Junior Open Water Dive certification and, in 2026, achieved his Junior Advanced Open Water certification. This past summer, he mentored aspiring marine biologists in the Junior Ocean Explorers (JOE) program on St. Thomas. Collectively, Alejandro’s experiences in YOE helped shape and redirect his career aspirations.
As a part of his 2026 YOE Summer experience, Alejandro participated in an internship at Thriving Islands, which inspired him to share fish identification knowledge and other scientific facts through social media. Alejandro noted that social media is highly accessible, making it easier to reach a broader audience. Through his platform, he focuses on relatable topics that capture viewers’ attention while drawing inspiration from his scuba diving experiences around St. Croix.
Would you like to be featured on the next Science Saturday Youth Spotlight episode? Click the link below to watch the full conversation between Kenny and Alejandro and learn more about his underwater adventures, marine and engineering internships, and educational content through ID with AQ on Facebook and Instagram.
Science Saturday, a monthly Facebook LIVE event, airs on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. Watch the full interview on the Department of Planning and Natural Resources Facebook page or the Science Saturday YouTube playlist.
