Giselle De Leon is inspiring students while exploring the Pacific aboard the Nautilus.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio STEM educator Giselle De Leon is currently aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, mapping unexplored regions of the Pacific Ocean near the Marshall Islands as part of an international science team.
The mission, which began in late July and runs through mid-August, is part of a broader effort to explore uncharted underwater environments — and to inspire students back home in San Antonio.
De Leon, who works at the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT), was selected as a Science Communication Fellow with Ocean Exploration Trust. As part of her role, she’s not only supporting oceanographic research — she’s also hosting interactive livestreams to connect students directly with the mission.
“You can register for that event… It’s going to be August 8 at 3:30 p.m.,” De Leon said, referring to a live, free ship-to-shore conversation that will be hosted at SAMSAT.
On board the vessel, she helps coordinate and narrate real-time underwater exploration using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that dive as deep as 13,000 feet. These robots collect geological and biological samples, including rocks, sponge-like organisms and even environmental DNA — allowing scientists to study marine life without physically capturing it.
“The first launch we had… it’s never been seen by anybody,” she said. “That rock came up and Val was the first person to hold it in millions upon millions of years.”
But for De Leon, the mission isn’t just about discovery — it’s about representation. Born and raised on the south side, she’s using this platform to show students that science isn’t reserved for the elite or those with perfect grades.
“One thing I’d love all students to know… even if you’re bad at math, you can still be a part of something like this,” she said.
De Leon says she hopes to inspire more students to pursue hands-on learning and see themselves in science roles. Her advice? Be persistent and don’t be afraid to connect with others.
“People call it networking… but I call it making friends in the field,” she added.
The Nautilus expedition continues through August 17 and De Leon encourages classrooms, youth groups and community organizations to participate in virtual Q&As via NautilusLive.org.