Education
and outreach
Overview
The deep ocean remains the largest space
on the planet that we cannot penetrate easily; it is a
realm of mystery and wonder. The deep ocean, like outer
space, represents the vast unknown; its mere presence fuels
our imagination. By sharing the exploration and scientific
discovery of this inaccessible world, NEPTUNE will inspire
scientists and explorers of all ages.
NEPTUNE offers rich educational possibilities
for students at all levels around the world. Because its
Internet connections will provide real-time data and images
from very dynamic earth-ocean systems, NEPTUNE products
will be useful and accessible to classrooms, laboratories,
and even the homes of interested learners. Programs will
include K-12 curricula and activities, exhibits for science
museums, undergraduate and graduate research, and a real-time
web interface for all users.
Some guiding principles
NEPTUNE outreach incorporates the
following concepts:
- the mission to inform and educate is a major mandate
of the
NEPTUNE program;
- sharing the process of inquiry as well as the discoveries
will underlie the outreach program;
- communication begins at the start of NEPTUNE - not
as an afterthought;
- a designated portion of scientific expenditures will
be devoted to
public outreach.
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Making the information accessible
The development of the Internet over
the last decade has made it possible to reach the entire
populace of Canada from the deep-sea. The data delivery
mechanism to scientists will be via the Internet - it is
not difficult to make the outreach step to computers in
every home and school. With the development of high definition
TV and holographic projection, we can present the deep-sea
in virtual reality. The Canadian public will have access
to many types of information.
These include:
- Canadian project NEPTUNE itself, including the concept,
the operations and highlight results;
- interpreted results delivered from the experimental
array with regular updates;
- real-time data, including video, delivered with minimal
interference by the array operator;
- some access to interactive experiments and observations;
and
- gateways to the overall NEPTUNE project, U.S. outreach
and other ocean education resources.
Outreach mechanisms
NEPTUNE can provide a living example
of the process of scientific inquiry. Its dynamic delivery
and interactive mode will allow captivating educational
programs that will grow with NEPTUNE. Three approaches
to delivering information concerning NEPTUNE are foreseen:
1. Directly from project NEPTUNE
staff via:
- the Internet;
- broadcast and print media; and
- ocean envoys: trained interpreters present NEPTUNE
to audiences across the country.
2. Public information via second or third parties:
- Outside businesses will reformat NEPTUNE information
and results for specific user groups.
- Sponsors and collaborating industries will promote
NEPTUNE information for mutual benefit.
3. Organized educational programs:
- Development of ocean science curricula and materials
for K to 12 and post-secondary schools.
- Apprenticeship programs at the university level
that plan, execute, and analyze experiments in the
deep sea via NEPTUNE.
- Special NEPTUNE exhibits at museums, aquaria and
science centres.
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NEPTUNE
offers educational
opportunities for a wide audience, including:
- Elementary/secondary schools
- Undergraduates (classes, projects)
- Graduates (including non-majors)
- Science/engineering community
- Public - structured (e.g. Aquariums)
- Public - unstructured (e.g. Media, www)
- Decision-makers: national legislature, government
agencies, state/province entities
- Non-governmental organizations
Critical issues
that will be of
high interest to these audiences:
- Earthquake hazards and warning
- Fisheries and food resources
- Oceans and climate change
- Hydrocarbon exploration
- Biodiversity, pollution, and environmental protection
- Hot vent extremophiles and the search for life
in outer space
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