Educational Donation Strengthens Citrus County’s Connection to Underwater Discovery

Since 1967, the Citrus County School District’s Marine Science Station (MSS) has served as a beacon of discovery, innovation, and environmental education. Nestled along the Gulf Coast, the station provides thousands of students each year with hands-on learning experiences that reach far beyond the classroom. From studying estuary ecosystems to learning about marine technology, MSS continues to shape how students engage with science, and a recent generous donation will help advance that mission even further.

Senior Chief Maurice Perine, United States Navy (Retired), a former Crystal River High School Naval JROTC instructor, has made a significant educational donation — through the Citrus County Education Foundation — to the Marine Science Station, valued at more than $5,000. His gift includes brand-new STEM kits, tool bags, underwater cameras, and ten advanced underwater robotics kits, a combination of SeaPerch and SeaGlide units.

Marine Science Station Supervisor Earnie Olsen and Marine Science Station Teacher Josh O’Leary were on hand to receive the donation on behalf of the school district. Olsen shared, “This generous gift will have an immediate and lasting impact on our students. These robotics tools will allow them to experience real-world applications of science and technology while exploring the marine environment right here in Citrus County.”

This contribution not only enhances the Station’s capacity for STEM learning but also strengthens the district’s growing commitment to robotics and underwater exploration. Today, robotics clubs exist at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Citrus County Schools, where students actively compete in statewide competitions. Both the Academy of Environmental Science, a public charter school, and Crystal River High School’s Naval JROTC program now offer scuba operations, further connecting local education with the underwater world.

Inspiring Discovery Through Robotics

The SeaPerch and SeaGlide programs are nationally recognized for engaging students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through hands-on, project-based learning.

SeaPerch introduces students to the fundamentals of engineering and marine science by guiding them through the process of building a tethered Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) from a simple kit. Along the way, they learn essential concepts such as buoyancy, circuitry, tool safety, and propulsion systems. Once assembled, students test and maneuver their ROVs through obstacle courses and underwater challenges, developing critical problem-solving and teamwork skills.

SeaGlide, the more advanced counterpart, takes learning to an even deeper level. Instead of using propellers, SeaGlide vehicles move through the water by adjusting buoyancy and pitch, simulating how real autonomous underwater gliders operate. Students learn to code and calibrate an Arduino microprocessor, applying advanced principles of programming, fluid dynamics, and data collection. This project introduces them to real-world technologies used in ocean research, exploration, and naval operations.

Together, these programs do more than teach science; they inspire innovation. Students build confidence in engineering design, strengthen collaboration, and gain hands-on experience that prepares them for potential careers in marine technology, oceanography, and naval engineering.

A Legacy of Exploration and Service

This donation also carries deep symbolic meaning, linking today’s students to Citrus County’s proud legacy of ocean exploration. The Marine Science Station is home to the Barry L. Cannon Memorial Museum and Aquarium, named in honor of Aquanaut Barry Cannon, a Citrus County native, Navy veteran, and marine pioneer.

Cannon served as part of the Navy’s historic Sea Lab II and III projects in the 1960s, helping advance humanity’s understanding of underwater living and deep-sea operations. His life and sacrifice continue to inspire generations of students who pass through the Marine Science Station.

By supporting MSS with this gift, Senior Chief Perine honors Cannon’s legacy and reinforces the connection between education, service, and exploration. Through these new resources, students will be able to study the same principles of underwater engineering and scientific curiosity that defined Cannon’s remarkable career.

Extending the Reach of Marine Science

Each year, the Marine Science Station serves approximately 2,500 students from across Citrus County Schools. Its immersive, field-based learning environment provides the perfect setting to introduce and integrate these new robotics tools.

With guidance from the District Science Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) and collaboration across school programs, these resources will reach well beyond the Station itself. Elementary and middle school students who begin exploring robotics early can continue developing those skills through high school, where programs such as robotics clubs, NJROTC, and the Academy of Environmental Science offer advanced, hands-on applications.

This layered approach, from early STEM exposure to specialized high school programs, creates a clear pathway for students to progress from curiosity to career readiness. It ensures that every student in Citrus County has the opportunity to explore the connections between science, technology, and the natural world.

Investing in the Future

Senior Chief Perine’s generosity goes beyond the dollar value of the equipment. It represents an investment in discovery — one that may spark a lifelong passion for science or open doors to future careers in engineering, environmental research, or public service.

For Senior Chief Perine, this gift is deeply personal. As a former Crystal River High School Naval JROTC instructor, he remains deeply connected to the students and citizens of Citrus County. “I know the children in Citrus County will appreciate the underwater robots, SeaPerch and SeaGlide,” he shared. Supporting students’ educational growth and expanding their opportunities in STEM, underwater exploration, and marine science is close to his heart.

While serving as a Naval Science Instructor at Crystal River High School, Senior Chief Perine established the school’s NJROTC Scuba Initiative, allowing cadets to become NAUI-certified Open Water Scuba Divers. This legacy of leadership and opportunity continues to impact students today.

His commitment reflects a broader truth about education: meaningful learning happens when curiosity meets opportunity. These new tools will give students that opportunity to explore, to innovate, and to imagine what lies beneath the surface.

The Marine Science Station continues to serve as a vital resource for teachers and students across the district, bridging traditional science education with the excitement of real-world exploration. With this donation, MSS is better equipped than ever to cultivate the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators who will carry forward Citrus County’s proud tradition of curiosity, courage, and community spirit.

Bravo Zulu, Senior Chief Perine, for your service, your generosity, and your unwavering dedication to the future of our students. Special thanks to the Citrus County Education Foundation for facilitating this generous donation and ensuring it directly supports our programs and students. Because of your collective efforts, Citrus County’s connection to the sea remains as strong and inspiring as ever. Exciting new adventures in underwater exploration and STEM learning now await our students.

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