Despite struggling with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) throughout my schooling years, I managed to earn a PhD. Subjects like biology, geology, physics, and chemistry were particularly challenging for me. However, one thing that always managed to capture my attention was our planet, Earth.
When you look at Earth from space, you’ll notice that it’s mostly covered in water. In fact, about 70% of our planet is covered with water, with an average depth of two miles. Despite living on Earth, most of us don’t truly know our planet, because most of it is covered with water. We’ve only explored about 5% of what’s in that water. Today, I want to take you on a journey from the shallow waters to the deep, and hopefully, like me, you’ll find something that gets you hooked on exploring planet Earth.
Most of us are familiar with the vibrant life that exists in coral reefs. These ecosystems are teeming with life, from small to large animals, some friendly and some dangerous. However, what many don’t know is that even in the deepest parts of the ocean, where volcanic eruptions occur and rocks turn to liquid, life exists. This tells us that life really wants to happen. Every time we explore the bottom of the sea with our submarines and robots, we find something surprising, sometimes startling, and sometimes revolutionary.
At the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, we’ve discovered ponds, lakes, and rivers. This discovery completely blew our minds. How can there be more water at the bottom of the ocean? And yet, there are animals that only live in that water. The bottom of the ocean is home to the greatest mountain range on Earth, the mid-ocean ridge, which spans 50,000 miles. We’ve hardly had a peek at it. We’ve found valleys larger, wider, and deeper than the Grand Canyon, underwater lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and even the largest waterfall on the planet near Iceland. All these discoveries are part of the 5% that we’ve explored.
To explore the ocean, you need technology and a team of talented individuals. For example, our ship, Atlantis, and the submarine, Alvin, are crucial tools in our exploration. Inside the submarine, three people embark on a 10-hour journey to the bottom of the ocean. The journey is amazing, with two and a half hours of sinking down to the bottom in total pitch black. Despite the darkness and the extreme conditions, we find life in the deepest parts of the ocean.
From the top of the ocean down to the bottom, we find life. There are jellies, some of the coolest creatures on Earth, with their unique shapes and sizes. We’ve discovered new species of life every time we go. Even in the deepest part of the ocean, where we find hot springs with poisonous water and extreme pressure, we find more life and diversity than in the tropical rainforest. This discovery revolutionized the way we think about life on Earth, showing us that sunlight is not always necessary for life to thrive.
Last year, I co-led an expedition to the Titanic, a ship that was supposed to arrive in New York a hundred years ago. The Titanic is an interesting place for biology, as animals are moving in to live on it and microbes are eating the hull. We’re making a virtual Titanic, so you can explore it for yourself from home. This is part of our goal to make virtual worlds, so it’s not just one person exploring the world; it’s you.
The oceans are unexplored, and I can’t begin to tell you how important that is. Seven billion people live on this planet and all of us are impacted by the sea. The oceans control the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the food you eat. Yet, we’ve only explored 5% of it. In that 5%, we’ve found some amazing things. So, what’s in the other 95%? The ocean is full of surprises, and I hope that by showing you some of this, it’s given you new eyes about this planet. Thank you.
Using clay or playdough, create a 3D model of the ocean floor. Include features like the mid-ocean ridge, underwater valleys, and deep-sea trenches. This will help you visualize the diverse and unexplored terrain beneath the ocean’s surface.
Use online resources to take a virtual tour of the Titanic wreck. Write a short report on what you discovered, focusing on how marine life has adapted to live on the shipwreck. This activity will help you understand the impact of human-made structures on ocean ecosystems.
Choose a deep-sea creature, such as a jellyfish or a newly discovered species, and create a poster or digital presentation about it. Include information on its habitat, diet, and any unique adaptations it has for surviving in extreme conditions. This will deepen your understanding of the diversity of life in the ocean.
Construct a simple model of a submarine using household materials. Explain how submarines like Alvin are used in ocean exploration and what kind of discoveries they have made. This hands-on activity will give you insight into the technology used in deep-sea exploration.
Design a board game or a digital game where players explore different parts of the ocean, encountering various marine life and geological features. Include challenges and discoveries based on real ocean exploration missions. This will make learning about the ocean fun and interactive.
struggling – having difficulty or making little or no progress – The student was struggling to understand the complex math problem.
ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder, a condition characterized by difficulty concentrating and hyperactivity – The child with ADD had trouble staying focused in class.
passion – a strong and intense emotion or enthusiasm – She pursued her passion for painting and became a renowned artist.
earth sciences – the branch of science that deals with the physical constitution of the Earth and its atmosphere – The study of geology, meteorology, and oceanography falls under earth sciences.
biology – the study of living organisms, their structure, function, and evolution – She decided to major in biology to explore the fascinating world of plants and animals.
geology – the scientific study of the Earth’s physical structure, composition, and history – The geology professor explained the formation of mountains through tectonic plate movements.
physics – the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy – Studying physics requires an understanding of complex mathematical concepts.
chemistry – the branch of science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances and the changes they undergo – The chemistry lab was filled with students conducting experiments and analyzing chemical reactions.
oceans – large bodies of saltwater that cover most of the Earth’s surface – The Pacific and Atlantic Oceans are two of the world’s largest bodies of water.
unexplored – not yet examined or investigated – The deep jungles of the Amazon hold many unexplored areas waiting to be discovered.
