14 Chapter 2: Time to Apply
Below are materials to support teaching and learning about scientific ocean drilling that connect to the content in this chapter. We also encourage you to explore the Resources for Educators page in this OER for links to additional exercises and assessments.
Time to Apply: Part A
Exercise 2.1
Read this article published by JSTOR Daily, titled HMS Challenger and the History of Science at Sea. Respond to the following questions:
(a) What were the physical/space struggles, as well as the personal/human ones, the scientists faced on the Challenger? What were the solutions?
(b) Antony Alder describes a shift in a ship as an instrument to a ship as a laboratory. In thinking about modern advances with how we conduct research about our ocean, do you think ships are returning to being an instrument again? What do you know about the techniques and tools scientists utilize learn about our ocean, and how might these evolve in the future? Explain your thoughts.
*Note that Alder’s original article which is the basis for this JSTOR Daily article is available open access to dive into these historic details:
Exercise 2.2
View this video below, IODP | The Library of Earth’s History. Respond to the questions below.
Questions:
(a) The video describes how the deep sea can be viewed as a “library” of Earth history. How did this library form?
(b) How do scientists access this library?
(c) What is the information contained in this deep-sea library?
(d) You learned about Project Mohole in this chapter. If Project Mohole had never taken place, what would be the impact on science and society if we never decided to explore the deep-sea library?
Exercise 2.3
Below is a listing of the original four member institutions that formed JOIDES (Joint Oceanographic Institutions Deep Earth Sampling) in May 1964. Each of these institutions had strong programs in marine geology and geophysics and continue today to be recognized as international leaders in oceanographic discovery. Take a look at the current research being conducted at these institutions.
Columbia University, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (institution website, research overview)
University of California at San Diego – Scripps Institution of Oceanography (institution website, research topics)
University of Miami – Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science (institution website, projects)
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) (institution website, areas of research)
Questions:
(a) Are each of these institutions pursuing similar oceanographic research questions, or are the areas of research different? Broadly, compare and contrast the current research programs of these institutions.
(b) Identify one area of research at each institution that is new to you, one that you were not familiar with before. What do you find interesting about each of these four areas of research?
(c) If you were to apply to graduate school to pursue a future career in oceanography, which of these research programs interests you the most, and why?
Time to Apply: Part B
The JOIDES Resolution website has an entire collection of Classroom Activities that include lesson plans, data exercises, digital interactives, posters, and career information. We encourage you to view the database for applicable exercises.
