Wanted: Virtual Research Mission Science Team Members

From its inaugural deep-sea dive in 2009, WhaleTimes Virtual Research Missions offered a unique way to share ocean research directly with classrooms. WhaleTimes has taken kids to research sites in Antarctica, California, and the deep sea through its Virtual Research Mission Program.

The Virtual Research Missions quickly proved to be a success for kids hungry for satisfying science. It also provided an exciting avenue for teachers eager to find ways to introduce science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to the classroom.

From its inception, the goals of WhaleTimes’ Virtual Research Missions will:

1. Raise awareness of ocean research and conservation efforts
2. Create a connection between the ocean scientist(s) and students
3. Introduce the complexities of the ocean ecosystem
4. Inspire students to pursue science, technology, engineering and/or math careers
5. Provide unique teachable moments in the classroom

Example Creep into the Deep Virtual Research Missions:

• 2024: Discovering Deep-sea Coral School Visits (NSF Funded)
• 2024: Deep See in the Deep Sea School Visits (NSF Funded)
• 2023: Discovering Deep-sea Coral School Visits (NSF Funded)
• 022: Creep into the Deep: Discovering Deep-sea Coral  Ship-to-Shore (NSF Funded)
•  2019: Creep into the Deep: Journey to Midnight  (NOAA-OER funded) 

Despite being the largest habitat by volume on the planet, the water column remains one of the most poorly explored environments. This is especially true once one moves below 1000 m into the bathypelagic realm. Join world renowned deep-sea explorers Dr. Sonke Johnsen, Dr. Tamara Frank, Dr. Edie Widder, Dr. Heather Judkins, and Dr. Heather Bracken-Grissom as they shares the research and discoveries from the NOAA Ocean Exploration and Research supported expedition, Journey into Midnight: Light and Life Below the Twilight Zone