Student Applications for the VISIONS'19 Expedition

This was not an ordinary day, it was a day of growth and encouragement; if this is what it’s like to be a scientist, traveling to depths no one has seen before, 300 km off the western coast of the U.S., then I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Submit the application provided on this web site via email by March 21, 2019 to Dr. Deb Kelley (dskelley@uw.edu; 206-685-9556) or drop off at RM 261, Ocean Teaching Building.

 Kevin Eyer (a teacher at the Kingston Middle School), produced this engaging video about the amazing opportunities that sea-going oceanographic research cruises provide.

We are looking for students interested in participating in the UW Sea-Going Research and Discovery course (OCEAN 411). This at-sea experiential learning course will provide you direct participation on a global-class research ship using a state-of the-art underwater robotic vehicle (ROV). The expedition will take place June 8 to July 9, 2019 aboard the 274-foot R/V Atlantis (mother ship for the submersible Alvin) and will utilize the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Jason. We will work at depths up to 9000 ft beneath the oceans’ surface and at some of the most extreme environments on Earth: methane seeps off the Oregon (OR) coast, Axial Seamount - the largest submarine volcano OR, and at active hot springs hosting novel animal and microbial communities. The expedition will also include diving in some of the most biologically-productive waters known along the Cascadia Margin.

There are no prerequisites for this class - it is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. There is no expectation for previous at sea experience. Transportation from Seattle to the ship is provided, and all costs are covered except 3 credits tuition for Ocean 411 Fall 2019.

Participation is open for one to all three legs of the cruise. Each leg is ~ 11 days in length. You will work alongside world class scientists, engineers, and the ship’s and ROV crew to gain at-sea research and sea-going experience using advanced oceanographic research instruments and vehicles. You will conduct your own research and/or outreach projects using data collected with some of these tools. The course will emphasize the importance of science communication during your time at sea and throughout Fall quarter. During Fall quarter, you will have the opportunity to finish your individual and/or team projects - these can turn into longer duration projects as well, which may turn into publications in national journals and pesentations at national meetings.

As a member of this oceanographic expedition and class, you will be taking part in maintenance of the US’s high-power and -bandwidth ocean observatory directly connected to the Internet - the Regional Cabled Array funded by the National Science Foundation as part of the Ocean Observatories Initiative.

You will be participating in a truly groundbreaking effort that continues to transform science and exploration in the worlds’ oceans.

Submit application via email to Dr. Deb Kelley (dskelley@uw.edu)

or drop it off in the Ocean Teaching Buidling 261 by March 21, 2019