DURHAM, N.C. 鈥 Senior Carmen Hoyt will be featured in this week鈥檚 episode of alongside Emmy-nominated host Philippe Cousteau.

The Earth and Ocean Sciences major traveled to Cancun, Mexico, in June to swim with whale sharks after winning the show鈥檚 first #StudentExplorer contest.

鈥淐armen is an incredible champion for conservation and the environment,鈥 Cousteau said. 鈥淲e were all thrilled to have her on the team during a once in a lifetime experience.鈥

Xploration Awesome Planet promotes STEM education and the benefits of exploration. Its #StudentExplorer contest solicits video entries from students fascinated by Earth exploration and science communication.

贬辞测迟鈥檚 , in which she made her case for why swimming with whale sharks and exploring our planet is so essential for future generations, was an inspiration to those who watched it. Her entry received tens of thousands of video views from people around the world. Host Philippe Cousteau surprised Hoyt in her classroom at Duke Marine Lab with his own video announcing that she had won.

In Beaufort, the show will air at 8:30 a.m. Saturday on WYDO (FOX). In Durham, it airs Saturday at 9 a.m. on WRAZ( FOX).

To find out when and where Xploration Awesome Planet airs in your area, click . It will also be available on Hulu Sunday.