In early January 2004, one of us attended a workshop on science priorities and educational opportunities that can be addressed using ocean observatories. The attendees constituted a broad group-men and women, scientists, engineers, educators, representatives from the private and public sector-but lacked diversity in at least one important aspectc age. A well-known marine geophysicist (with a published record stretching over 30 years) came to me at the ice-breaker party and said (and I paraphrase)c I'm glad you're herec you're young, you might actually see this project flourish before you retire. There're not enough young people here. At some point or another, every young scientist may have a similar experience.