What is Ocean Pi?
Open to aspiring ocean scientists of all ages, Ocean Pi offers the amazing opportunity to conduct scientific investigations at sea using Raspberry Pi computers that are connected to dozens of sensors and installed in three unique locations:
1) Aboard the 82 foot oceanographic tall ship, Wonder.
2) Inside an ocean buoy anchored to a 2 acre oyster and kelp farm.
3) A weather station at Northeast Maritime Institute in Fairhaven, MA.
We aspire to create a network of citizen scientists that includes ocean data from more than just the three locations above, so we also share all of our project details so you can build your own ocean buoy and weather station.
Who We Are
Ocean Pi was created by The Planet School in 2025 and is run in collaboration with Northeast Maritime Institute and The Voyaging Institute.
Reimagining high school as an expedition of discovery, purpose, and impact. The Planet School operates a portfolio of businesses and projects that students help manage and operate, enhancing the curriculum and defraying the cost of tuition. The Planet School created Ocean Pi as a way to expand the impact of its Ocean Campus.
Northeast Maritime Institute (NMI) is the only private maritime college in the United States and has been offering merchant mariner training since 1981. NMI is installing Ocean Pi equipment at its marina, shore campus, and 2 acre kelp and oyster farm in Nasketucket Bay as part of their Restorative Aquaculture degree program.
The Voyaging Institute offers adventure and learning for adults through voyaging aboard their 82’ tall ship Wonder. As a portfolio business of The Planet School, 100% of profits support the school. As part of the voyaging experience, guest crew help gather data with the Ocean Pi equipment installed on the ship.