Dr. Robert Ballard, oceanographer and explorer, created the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) in 2007 to guide and coordinate the different organizations and research tools he founded and developed which are dedicated to supporting our nation’s ocean exploration in search of both its human and natural history.  These include the Institute for Exploration (IFE) in Mystic, Connecticut; the Exploration Ship NAUTILUS and associated robotic ocean exploration equipment; the Inner Space Center at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography; educational outreach with Immersion Presents at Mystic; and the JASON Project which brings Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education programming based on ocean exploration activities to young people in K-12.  Bringing together technical and scientific expertise for the past 20 years, Dr. Robert Ballard and his group conduct exploration expeditions to different parts of the planets where they consistently make cutting edge discoveries  which push the envelope of our knowledge of the oceans.  The Ocean Exploration Trust is committed to keeping America at the forefront of ocean exploration and inspiring young people to pursue educational and research opportunities and the general public to support the preservation of our oceans.