The REVEL Project:
A classroom on the ocean floor

Veronique Robigou
University of Washington

Wednesday, August 9, 2000
3:00 p.m.—Pacific Forum

The REVEL (Research and Education: Volcanoes, Exploration and Life) Project is a professional development program for middle and high school science teachers. The program provides teachers a unique opportunity to get involved in research on mid-ocean ridges by participating in seagoing, deep-sea research cruises. It provides teachers a renewed sense of excitement about science and encourages them to invent new ways of teaching integrated science. Furthermore, the program helps teachers bring the scientific process into their classrooms and instill respect for the oceans into their students, their communities, and their regions.

Since its inception in 1996, the REVEL Project has had the privilege to select 47 educators from Washington, Pennsylvania, New York, California, and Canada to explore the seafloor of the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the N.E. Pacific Ocean. Thousands of students and teachers have followed the scientific adventures of these REVELers through the web site. The web site is updated daily from sea while the educators sail on the open ocean, participate in ship operations, and contribute to research alongside scientists. In 1998 and in 1999, one teacher had the opportunity to dive to the ocean floor in the submersible Alvin and bring back memories that affected many lives in extraordinary ways.

This year, REVEL will include nine new teachers on two different research cruises. For the first time, an educator from California who teaches 6th grade science in Salinas, will join the REVEL Project and will sail on the University of Washington R/V Thomas G. Thompson. Also for the first time, a seasoned REVELer will mentor newly recruited teachers on board.

The REVEL Project is funded by the National Science Foundation with additional support from the University of Washington, The Pennsylvania State University, and the American Museum of Natural History. Participation of an educator from California is made possible through collaboration with the MATE Center, Monterey Peninsula College.

http://www.ocean.washington.edu/outreach/revel

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