Exploring ROVs: Dive into the World of Underwater Robotics (Presentation, 1 class period, ~55 minutes)

Students will be introduced to:

• Who is MARE
• What are Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
• How MARE uses ROVs to monitor deep sea habitats
• Deep sea habitats and deep sea animals from our CA Marine Protected Areas
• Engineering within MARE

Optional Lab Activity: ROV Exploration Station: Diving into the Depths of Submersible Science (1 class period, ~45 minutes)

In this dynamic hands-on lab activity, student groups will embark on a journey through multiple learning stations, each dedicated to the exploration of various technological aspects of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Working collaboratively, students will engage in critical thinking exercises to address thought-provoking questions related to these ROV components. This interactive lab offers an in-depth understanding of the intricate technology behind ROVs and promotes teamwork and analytical thinking among students.

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Life in the Dark: Deep Sea Creatures and Their Adaptations (Presentation, 1 class period, ~50 minutes) 

Students will be introduced to:

• Who is MARE
• What are CA Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
• What are Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
• Deep sea animals and adaptation strategies 
• Light wavelengths and the deep sea.
  • How light behaves in the water.
  • How light changes with depth.
  • How color disappears in the deep sea
• Color adaptations of deep sea marine animals

Optional Lab Activity: Deep Sea Detectives: Exploring Light in the Deep Sea (1 class period, ~50 minutes) 

In this engaging and interactive activity students will delve into the intriguing world of light and its interaction with the deep sea. The focus of this exploration will revolve around understanding how different wavelengths of light penetrate the ocean and the reasons behind the evolutionary adaptations of deep-sea creatures concerning body color and bioluminescence. 

Throughout the activity, students will actively engage in making observations, carefully documenting their findings, and then applying analytical skills to graph and interpret the collected data. This exercise offers a hands-on and enjoyable way for students to gain insights into the profound relationship between light and the unique characteristics of deep-sea organisms.

**Teachers can make both presentation programs into a 90-minute or 2-day program by adding the optional lab activities.

Explore ROVs: Dive into the World of Underwater Robotics. (Presentation, 1 class period, ~50 minutes) 

Students will be introduced to:

• Who is MARE
• What are Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
• How MARE uses ROVs to monitor deep sea habitats
• Deep sea habitats and deep sea animals
• Engineering within MARE

Optional Lab Activity: Deep Sea Designers: ROV Engineering Lab. (1 class period, ~50 minutes)

In this innovative hands-on educational lab, students will immerse themselves in the world of engineering. Armed with a selection of provided craft materials, students will embark on a creative journey, tasked with conceiving and constructing a prototype of a simulated "ROV manipulator arm." They will put their engineering and design skills to the test as they attempt to retrieve objects from a water basin using their crafted manipulator arms.

Following the activity, students will collaborate in their design teams to address reflection questions, allowing them to analyze and learn from their experiences. In a collaborative format, student teams will take turns presenting their designs and sharing their insights with the rest of the class. This activity fosters a dynamic and interactive learning environment.

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Life in the Dark: Deep Sea Creatures and Their Adaptations. (Presentation, 1 class period, ~50 minutes)

Students will be introduced to:

• Who is MARE
• What are CA Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
• What are Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
• Introduce various deep sea animals and adaptation strategies
• Why adaptations are important 

Optional Lab Activity: Creating Creatures of the Abyss: Exploring Deep Sea Adaptations Through Art. (1 class period, ~50 minutes)

In this enjoyable activity, students will embark on an exciting exploration of deep-sea adaptations. They'll first delve into the fascinating world of ocean depths, learning about the unique survival strategies of deep-sea creatures. Armed with this newfound knowledge, students will then unleash their creativity by sculpting entirely new deep-sea organisms out of clay. This hands-on project challenges students to apply their understanding of deep-sea adaptations and design innovative, imaginative creatures capable of thriving in the extreme conditions of the deep ocean.

**Teachers can make both presentation programs above into a 90-minute or 2-day program by adding the optional lab activities.

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Exploring The Depths: Visualizing ROV Data in California National Marine Sanctuaries. (Presentation & Lab, 1 block period, ~90 minutes)  

*Available in Spring 2024

Students will be introduced to:

• Who is MARE
• What are CA Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
• What are National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS)
• What are Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
• What data our ROVs collect and how we analyze results
• What are the various deep sea habitats and animals in our National Marine Sanctuaries
• How MARE biologists analyze ROV video footage
• MARE Research results.

In this captivating activity students will view designated remotely operated vehicle (ROV) transect videos captured at one or more of our California National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) locations. Their task will involve discerning the type of seafloor substrate, identifying species and their quantities, and documenting this information in an Excel spreadsheet. Subsequently, students will utilize this data to generate a graphical representation, allowing them to visualize the variations. Through the analysis of their graphs, students will engage in a comparative examination of species abundance and diversity across different NMS sites.

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Deep Sea Discoveries: ROVs, Ocean Exploration, and STEM Careers.  (Presentation,1 class period, ~50 minutes) 

*Available in Spring 2024

Students will learn:

• Who is MARE
• What are CA Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
• What are National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS)
• What are Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
• What data our ROVs collect and how we analyze results.
• What are the challenges associated with identifying species and recording data taken with ROVs.  
• What are some of MARE’s current research results and projects.
• What local opportunities students have to volunteer and/or get involved. 
• Explore various STEM careers that support ocean conservation.