Dr. Kim Jones: A Unique Educator Adventure at Frying Pan Tower

Dr. Kim Jones working on Frying Pan Tower

This summer, Dr. Kim Jones, Dean of Arts & Sciences at Brunswick Community College, embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that seamlessly blended her passion for marine biology with cutting-edge educational practices. Handpicked as one of only five educators across North Carolina and the sole representative from the community college system, Dr. Jones was part of the pioneering ‘Teachers on the Tower: An Educator Returnship to Frying Pan Tower,’ sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NC Sea Grant.

Frying Pan Tower, located 32 miles off the coast of North Carolina, served as the perfect location for this immersive experience. The Tower, an isolated, off-grid structure, is powered by solar energy and generators and has a reverse osmosis system for water—making it a living laboratory for sustainability and marine science. Dr. Jones and her fellow educators, including middle and high school teachers, spent the week engaging in hands-on projects that brought the aquatic environment to life.

One of the most inspiring moments for Dr. Jones was the opportunity to learn about the Tower’s self-sufficient systems from Richard Neal, the group’s host and a passionate advocate for the Tower’s preservation. Neal’s guidance through the intricacies of the Tower’s power and water systems, blending technical knowledge with a deep appreciation for the Tower’s history and mission, was a unique learning experience that Dr. Jones will always cherish.

The program’s curriculum was as diverse as it was fascinating. Participants conducted physical oceanography studies, collecting data on water and air temperatures, salinity, pH, wind speed, and more. Despite the Tower’s remote location, the educators engaged in bird identification and counts, revealing the rich but often hidden life around the structure. The deployment of a submersible ROV (remotely operated vehicle) added a thrilling element of exploration, sparking a sense of adventure among the educators.

Dr. Jones was particularly excited by the opportunity to directly apply her experiences at Frying Pan Tower to the curriculum for BCC’s new Field Biology Minicourse (BIO 143), set to launch in October. “I’m incredibly excited about this new course, so the timing of this trip was perfect,” said Dr. Jones. “The course focuses on North Carolina’s coastal marine environment, which aligns perfectly with everything I learned while on the Tower. “I can’t wait to share it all with my students.”

Beyond the technical and scientific aspects, the experience offered moments of pure wonder. Dr. Jones described the awe of using an Insta360° camera to explore the ocean life beneath the Tower. “We wore a virtual headset, making us feel as if we were suspended underwater, real time, with all the marine creatures,” said Dr. Jones. “It was incredible, topped only by the opportunity to snorkel around the Tower on the last morning. The ocean’s beauty and magnificence were on full display.” (See the video taken by the Insta360° camera here.)

Evenings on the Tower were equally enriching, with games like Shark Trivia and Biology Mythbusters fostering a sense of camaraderie among the educators. Watching the sunset became a daily ritual, with the sun’s descent into the ocean a breathtaking reminder of the natural world they were there to explore. The impactful grant writing and Tower instruction was provided by Dr. Erika Young, NC Sea Grant Coastal & Marine Education Specialist and Gail Lemiec, NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher Unique Experiences Coordinator.

Dr. Jones’s experience at Frying Pan Tower was not just a professional milestone but a profound personal journey. It equipped her with new tools and insights to enhance the educational experience at Brunswick Community College, particularly in marine sciences. As she prepares to share these lessons with her students this fall, it’s evident that her time on the Tower has enriched her teaching and personal growth. Dr. Jones has, once again, found new ways to inspire her students.

For information on BIO 143, contact Dr. Jones at [email protected] or stop by her office in Building B.