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DCCCD STEM Institute Hosts Fabien Cousteau

Fabien Cousteau, grandson of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, spoke to more than 100 students and faculty from the DCCCD STEM Institute  and special guests at the Dallas World Aquarium on Thursday, April 12. 

Cousteau also took part in a question and answer session with more than 55 DCCCD STEM Institute Scholars during the second annual STEM Summit at Brookhaven College on Friday, April 13.

Both of Cousteau’s presentations were sponsored by the DCCCD Foundation and Hunt Consolidated. Cousteau engaged STEM scholars in a range of discussions from oceanic innovation and exploration to marine environmental conservation during his presentations.

2012 STEM Summit

The scholars also participated in a series of informative sessions with experts and faculty in various STEM areas throughout the summit on Friday.

Special guest presenters included Jeremy Roden, director of media production at istation; Dr. Nathan Huntoon, an electrical engineering instructor at SMU and the founder and director of the SMU Innovation Gym; Hilda Galvan, an intellectual property partner at Jones Day; and Tanaya St. Julien of Texas Instruments and the High-Tech High Heels Speakers Bureau. Other visiting STEM experts from businesses and universities throughout North Texas also took part in the summit.

“The DCCCD STEM Institute includes some of the best and brightest students in North Texas,” DCCCD Foundation President Betheny L. Reid said. “Part of their capstone experience in this program is to engage in meaningful discussions with prominent experts in the STEM area like Fabien Cousteau."

"We would like to thank Hunter Hunt [president and CEO of Hunt Consolidated, Inc. and chair-elect of the DCCCD Foundation] and his wife Stephanie for their generous support and for making Cousteau’s visit to Dallas possible.”

Fabien Cousteau

Growing up on the salt-stained decks of his grandfather’s ships, Fabien Cousteau inherited an unwavering passion for the ocean and its inhabitants from his famous family at an early age. He continued his voyages with his father, Jean-Michel, as the third generation to carry on the tradition of adventure and exploration in the deep ocean.     

In 2006, Cousteau partnered with his father and sister, Celine, to complete a three-year documentary series for PBS called Ocean Adventures. The series included many of Cousteau’s experiences, such as the grey whale migration of the Americas’ west coast, the coral spawning of the Caribbean, diving with squadrons of giant groupers, and the ghost ships of the Great Lakes.

Cousteau’s vast experience in ocean exploration, coupled with a degree in environmental economics from Boston University, has made him an advocate of reforming public policy through innovative ideas that help preserve marine life. He launched the Plant-A-Fish Initiative (PAF), a nonprofit, hands-on outdoor education and marine restoration experience.

Cousteau has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and as a regular guest/contributor on NBC’s Today Show. He also is the editor-in-chief of the Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Ocean and is currently working on a children’s book trilogy.

DCCCD STEM Institute

Initially launched as a pilot program in 2009 through federally directed appropriations by U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and a grant from the Greater Texas Foundation, the DCCCD STEM Institute is also made possible through the private support of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., CITI Foundation, the Hillcrest Foundation and the Fluor Foundation.

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