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Manned Submersible Deep Reef Exploration A manned submersible expedition to explore the deep coral reefs of Curaçao and Roatán and conduct real time ocean outreach and education.
2013 Erika Bergman National Geographic Young Explorers Grant
Expedition Team Members Lead: Erika Bergman Explore Ocean Foundation Blue Marble Exploration Geographic Location SubStation Curacao West End Roatán, Honduras Project Dates August 18-‐25, 2013 Aug. 31-‐ Sept. 6, 2013 Current Budget $6,000
EMAIL erikabergman@gmail.com
As a National Geographic Young Explorer I plan to use the manned submersibles Curasub and Idabel to explore the reef ecosystems along steep underwater slopes of Curaçao and Roatán, Honduras. As a submersible pilot myself I have found that one of the values of manned ocean exploration is how quickly it captures the attention of the public and students of all ages. In the spirit of outreach through exploration I w ill produce educational videos and perform satellite outreach to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classrooms. The southwestern shore of Curaçao is home to the Curasub, a 320 meter capable manned submersible which explores the surrounding terrain. Along this coastline the coral reefs and their inhabitants are rebounding from over fishing and becoming abundant once more. The deep reefs are home to unique and w idely undiscovered coral species.
I believe manned submersibles are incredible tools for underwater storytelling. I am enthusiastic about ocean education and my primary goal is to share my experiences as a manned submersible pilot in a format that engages students in active discussion and participation. I aim to make myself as accessible in the field as possible in order to foster questions about oceanographic processes, marine technology, and general life as an ocean explorer. I will do this three ways, through social networking websites, real time streaming conversations, and through short films available through the non-‐profit ExploreOcean. Students and the public will be invited to participate in these remote outreach efforts through: • Twitter: @erika_bergman • Blog: deepbluefrombelow.com • Google+ Hangouts
Idabel, named after the small town in Oklahoma where it was built, is operated from West End in Roatán, Honduras. In early September we will dive the submersible along the edge of a steep drop off into the Cayman Trench. The dive site is situated along the edge of one of the most diverse shallow reef ecosystems in the ocean and between depths of 200 and 1000 meters the deep reefs are home to cold water Lophelia corals.
In the coming months I aim to establish 5-‐ 9 participants for each Google+ Hangout. Participants will be a mix of educators, classrooms, explorers and researchers specializing in the deep corals of the Caribbean. These conversations will be broadcast live through Google. The first hand experience of physically diving into the sea is inspiring and unique, and I hope that by bringing exploration a little closer to the classroom I will excite the next generation of young adults to go out and discover the depths of the ocean.
WEB deepbluefrombelow.com
EXPLORE OCEAN exploreocean.org
BLUE MARBLE EXPLORATION bluemarbleexploration.com