DISCOVERY IN THE DEEP

Our school is in the third year of exploring the Pacific Ocean with the University of Delaware aquanauts in Alvin, a submersible ROV from Woods Hole, MA. We have traveled through conference call, satellites and the internet, two and one-half miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, in order to study hydrovents. Life on earth originates in hydrovents, with elements that originally came from planetary formation in space.

Our general science learners study earth science in this way. We have a three year science requirement for all students who wish to graduate from a Chicago Public School. They are disabled, and have much difficulty reading and writing. They have those disabilities in common with Albert Einstein, the "dummkopf" as he was called in a high school in Munich, Germany.

Through the use of pre-tests, post-tests, e-mails, conference calls and sailing logs and ship terminology, we all are investigators with the scientists. It is exciting!