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Did you know that fundamental principles that you teach in
your classroom like sea floor spreading, plate tectonics,
and the K/T boundary were all tested and proven through scientific
drilling in the ocean? The sediment and crust of the ocean
provide an invaluable record of life on the planet and open
new questions for how life exists and where it exists.
We seek to understand the fundamental systems of the earth
by examining not only the rock formations deep in the ocean
floor but also how they are potentially altered and impacted
by the presence of microbial life. Yes, that’s right.
We have found microbes (archaea and bacteria) that live completely
in the dark, under intense pressure, at temperature extremes,
and respire (breathe) rocks not oxygen.
How is this possible? We participate in an international
collaboration called the International Ocean Drilling Project
that cooperates with scientists from all over the world to
extract cores from the ocean floor and place instruments into
the resulting holes that measure temperature, pressure, etc.
as well as “catch microbes”.
Our research covers fundamental concepts in science such
as evolution, osmosis, the three domains, plate tectonics,
concepts of producers, consumers, and decomposers all the
way to advanced principles of biology, chemistry, genetics,
and physics.
Why not bring science into your classroom that students know
nothing about, that doesn’t have all the answers but
rather is generating questions, and that shows students why
they need to learn fundamental principles of science (because
they can be a part of this discovery process too!). What do
we have to offer you?
- Lesson plans created by C-DEBI and our partners
- Kits for your classroom
- Career development for your students
- Visits to your classroom by C-DEBI staff and researchers
- Professional development through lectures and workshops
If you would to know more, please contact outreach@darkenergybiosphere.org.
Our goal is to support you as you engage your students in
the exciting possibilities of the fields of science, math,
engineering and technology. Why? The study of the ocean can
bring together the skills and imaginations of all people!
> See our teacher
resources
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