Local Outreach: BIOS Explorer - On the Rock

BIOS Explorer Waterstart Marine Science Internship Program Bermuda Programme Visitors Field Trips Dr. Debbie's Creature Feature General Information

BIOS Explorer Overview

Modeled on successful elements from The JASON Project:

SUMMER
Expeditions:

• Programming combined with the Marine Science Internship
• For student "BioNauts"
• Led by "Host Researchers" - faculty at BIOS
• Filmed by local production company

FALL
Science Curriculum:

• Available online for teachers and parents
• Fall art competition, "Where Art Meets Science"

November Teacher Workshops:

• Provide hands-on experience with lesson plans for local teachers

WINTER
Broadcast:

• Two weeks of field trips to BIOS for all local schools to view film and participate in hands on activities

SPRING
BioNaut Applications:

• Scholarships offered to all middle and high schools to select top students

2007-2008 BIOS Explorer Theme:
On the Rock

• How did this unique island of Bermuda come into existence?
• How resilient is the rock of this bastion of the Atlantic?
• What are the living processes that continue to build and erode the coast?
• What mysteries lie within the bedrock of our island?
• How might changes in the environment affect native flora and fauna?

BROADCASTS:

• 2008 broadcast dates:
  January 28 - February 8
• Broadcast sign-up sheet for teachers (PDF)
• Thousands of local students visit BIOS over two weeks in the winter to view the footage of the summer expeditions.
• Hands-on activities and worksheets make connections with school curriculum.

CURRICULUM:

Activity One: Corals and Chemistry

• What happens when limestone is exposed to acid?
• How does lower ocean pH affect coral growth?
• Download Activity One details (PDF)

Activity Two: Deep Ocean Exploration

• What tools do we use to map the ocean?
• What is the Bermuda seamount?
• Download Activity Two details (PDF)

Activity Three: Cave Exploration

• How do caves form in Bermuda?
• What creatures live in caves?
• What is the quality of water in caves?

USEFUL LINKS:

Activity One: Corals and Chemistry

• www.pbs.org/now/classroom/globalwarming.html
  Great introductory material to get your class warmed up on the topic of global warming.
• news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/portal/climate_change/default.stm
  Quick fixes for global climate change, etc.
• commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/letsnet/noframes/subjects/science/b5u1.html
  Useful site on global climate change

Activity Two: Deep Ocean Exploration

• www.smithsonianmag.com/issues/1996/june/nature.php
• oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/curriculum/section1.pdf

Activity Three: Cave Exploration

• www.caverntours.com/cgp1.htm
  This is a great site with tons of lesson plans, and teachers can download the whole document loaded with ideas.
• www.tamug.edu/cavebiology/Bermuda/BermudaIntro.html
  This is the second wonderful link to Dr. Tom Iliffe's local cave info, with pictures of endemic cave critters, etc.