Heather (left) with 2004 Aquarius Project participants Laura (center) and Carly (right) ensure their gear is ready before diving down to explore the Benwood shipwreck.

Destination: H20
Five Days Undersea

By Heather, 2004 Girl Scout Aquarius Project participant

How many 18-year-olds can say that they went on a government travel order to the Florida Keys? That they swam with nurse sharks, saw a 300 foot long shipwreck, and watched The Abyss from five fathoms under the sea? Or drank hot cocoa and made phone calls while underwater? Even experienced an emergency evacuation from a hurricane?

Not many. In fact, I don't even think most adults could say they have done all of this.

Through the Aquarius Project STUDIO 2B destination sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Ocean Exploration and Girl Scouts of the USA's Elliott Wildlife Values Project, I had the amazing opportunity do all of it and more in five days.

We stayed at the Marine Lab in Key Largo, Florida, where interns, educators, and marine biologists kept us busy learning about coral reef damage and protection, maritime history, reef fish identification, undersea habitats, ocean exploration, plankton, and astronomy.

Sea Creatures

Scuba diving in Key Largo was absolutely amazing! A 300 foot long sunken oil ship had become home to thousands of living creatures. Beautiful coral reefs outlined the area; lobsters and crabs crawled along the ocean floor; iridescent moon jellyfish floated with the current; and barracudas and nurse sharks roamed the bottom keeping watch. I felt like I was living underwater with the cast of Finding Nemo. With only the sounds of bubbles in the background, I could almost imagine Angel Fish saying, "P. Sherman, 42 Wallabie Way, Sydney."

Living and Working under the Sea

Our oceans and lakes are invaluable resources that can provide us with so much knowledge. Through visiting Jules Undersea Hotel and the Marine Lab, I've come to realize how truly important our resources are. Working in an underwater lab such as the Aquarius Habitat or Marine Lab allows scientists to live, study, and interact with marine life on a constant basis. Because aquanauts can stay at great depths for long periods of time, they are able to complete studies that would otherwise be impossible. One of my favorite parts of the Marine Lab was the "Fish Bowl," a small, clear glass sphere attached to the bottom of the marine lab. I was able to climb into the fish bowl completely dry and see how the fish reacted to looking at me from the other side of the glass.

I Want to Go on the Aquarius Project!

If this trip sounds exciting to you, visit the NOAA Ocean Explorer Aquarius Habitat Web site to read our Girl Scout Log during the 2004 Aquarius Project at http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/projects/04aquarius/welcome.html. This was an experience of a lifetime, and I definitely recommend it to any girls interested in marine biology, environmental issues, and scuba diving. An adventure awaits!