so lucky that I even had this opportunity in the first place.” Along with internships, the Beaulieus helped secure a partnership between the aquarium and senior design engineering students at OSU. Seniors in Tyler Worden’s classes spent their final semester working on various engineering projects to improve the aquarium. In March 2020, the Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation Board voted to fund two of the group projects completed by senior design students. The first was a system for maintaining lights on the shark tank, and the second was a platform for the protein skimmers. These projects will improve the safety and efficiency of the aquarium. In the last year, the Beaulieus also developed and funded an engineering intern position that mirrors the one created for research. This position will assist with communication between the aquarium and student teams — collecting data and information on their projects while implementing them. The partnership between OSU, the Oklahoma Aquarium and the Beaulieus has benefited all level of students. The next critical scientific breakthrough or aquatic engineering marvel may very well be realized through this continued partnership. To support OSU and its partnership with the Oklahoma Aquarium, contact Laura Ketchum at 405-385-0701 or lketchum@osugiving.com. Working behind the scenes at the Oklahoma Aquarium Bill and Diana Beaulieu OSU COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 29
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