Girl Scouts pose for a picture at the dinner table inside the Aquarius, while a SCUBA diver says hello from the outside. Photo courtesy NOAA and UNC Wilmington. Aquarius images are copyright (c) 2003, University of North Carolina at Wilmington. All rights reserved. Further reproduction prohibited.
The Aquarius Project
Girl Scouts of the USA
NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration
August 13-19, 2003
View a summary video of the project (QuickTime, 800Kb)
The Aquarius Project was an intensive week of ocean science and discovery for a nationally selected group of six Girl Scouts sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Girl Scouts of the USA.
Where is it?
The event is based out of the National Undersea Research Center’s (University of North Carolina at Wilmington) Key Largo, Florida field station, home to the world’s only underwater laboratory - the Aquarius Habitat.
What is the event about?
Girl Scouts will learn the fundamentals of ocean exploration, coral reef ecology, oceanography, marine archaeology, habitat preservation, and marine biology. Lectures and field work will include a SCUBA dive to the Aquarius to visit current mission scientists at work in the habitat; working alongside marine resource scientists on the coral reefs; SCUBA diving to numerous sites, including a shipwreck site in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary; and visiting the Everglades National Park. In the Aquarius Project, girls learn about ocean science by hands-on experience and interaction with mentor scientists. Each participating Girl Scout devises an outreach plan for taking what they learned home to their schools, Girl Scout councils and communities.
Who can apply?
Any registered Girl Scout who is:
- SCUBA certified and has received open water certification,
- Comfortable in open water,
- Committed to ocean science, conservation, and exploration,
- Willing to share her experience with her council after the event and,
- between 14-17 at the time of the event.
What are the costs?
This event is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Ocean Exploration. There is NO event fee. Travel costs are fully funded. Food and lodging costs will be reimbursed to the participant after the event. Each participant is required to bring all necessary diving gear with her to the event (excluding tanks and weight belts).
What is the application deadline?
Applications are due to GSUSA: May 19, 2003.
When are participants notified?
Participants will be notified of their status: June 2, 2003.
For more information
Please contact MariClare Krzyzewski at GSUSA.
