Immersion Presents Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Immersion Presents?
In 2002, Dr. Robert Ballard and Dr. Stephen Coan founded Immersion Presents—a non-profit science education organization that brings ocean adventures and discoveries from the Institute for Exploration (IFE), the University of Rhode Island (URI) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to kids in classrooms, after-school settings, summer programs, and informal learning arenas.
What does Immersion Presents offer?
Immersion Presents offers a library of programs. An Immersion Presents program consists of a print activity guide (Adventure Series), CD (containing printable version of the Adventure Series), DVD (containing video highlights from the expedition as well as an expedition broadcast, when applicable), access to the Immersion Web site, expedition broadcast, Internet2 Channel programming (also available through the Immersion Presents Web site), special events and programs.
Who uses Immersion Presents materials?
Individual teachers as well as a wide variety of education-related organizations use Immersion Presents materials. The sample Institutional license-holders listed below include school districts, educational service centers, colleges/universities with K–12 partnerships, after-school service providers and informal education institutions with science-related professional development programs for teachers:
· Boys & Girls Clubs of America, various locations
· Clark County School District, NV
· Cal State University, Palm Desert Campus, CA
· Lamphere School District, MI
· Montclair State University, NJ
· Mystic Aquarium, CT
· Nassau County BOCES, NY
· Region 4 Educational Service Center, TX
· Sacramento Educational Cable Consortium, CA
· SW/SC Educational Service Center, MN
· TRECA, OH
· University of Texas Brownsville/Texas Southmost College
How are Immersion Presents educational materials used?
Immersion Presents programs are used in:
Instructors can choose to use one Adventure Series or the entire library of Adventure Series. Larger institutions or informal science centers might focus on the major live expedition(s) offered throughout the year, bringing students to their centers to view the expedition broadcasts and experience other related activities designed to complement the program.
We encourage all sites to use the Immersion Presents message boards to share ideas on program implementation. Many sites have taken part before and have valuable information to offer, and new sites often bring innovative ideas to others.
Are Immersion Presents educational materials aligned to National Science Education Standards?
Yes, Immersion Presents materials are aligned to the National Science Education Standards for grades 5–8 as well as the 2005 Ocean Literacy Essential Principals & Fundamental Concepts.
How much does it cost to participate in Immersion Presents?
Costs vary.
Institutions can license the right to use the entire Adventure Series library for $10,000 a year. Through a generous grant from the Kleberg Foundation, JASON Project UTB/TSC has joined Immersion Presents for 2007. UTB/TSC can print all of the activities to use with teachers or club leaders within their service area for the duration of the license period. Immersion sites that choose to receive the broadcast signal in their location will also need a projector and sound system. Equipment costs are the responsibility of the individual sites.
The Adventure Series curricula are specifically designed to use inexpensive and readily available materials.
Individual teachers who are not covered under an institutional license (such as UTB/TSC’s) can purchase individual expeditions at $125 each; there are six Adventure Series expeditions, which total $750 if purchased separately.
UTB/TSC will offer ALL COMPONENTS of Immersion Presents, including live broadcasts during the summer and school year, teacher training sessions, JASON Project choices, involvement in the Bahia Grande Restoration Project, and other free materials and marine science opportunities for the same price per teacher as the past two years: $335 (includes all the teacher’s students). Current JASON UTB/TSC participants receive this package (2006-2007).
What does a sample year look like in terms of program delivery?
The year kicks off with an expedition. Historically, the major expeditions have fallen in the summer, but we are now looking at expeditions during the school year as well. Much of the timing is dependent upon when the expeditions occur, which is based on the availability of researchers, equipment and ocean-going vessels.
This past year kicked off in June with Ancient Eruptions!—a week-long expedition that focused on research around the Thera volcano in the Aegean Sea. A second live broadcast program focusing on the USS Monitor was available in July through our partnership with NOAA.
In the fall, four programs were broadcast using material from the Dolphins highlights video and real-time questions from viewers. These programs were produced at the Immersion Studio, Mystic, CT, and hosted by Dolphin Communication Project director Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski.
Dr. Robert Ballard will also host four programs using edited footage from the Adventures to the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, Titanic, Life at the Extremes and Ancient Eruptions! programs. He will also answer questions from viewers.
Show 1: November 2006
Show 2: January 2007
Show 3: February 2007, date and time TBD
Show 4: March 2007, date and time TBD
Immersion Channel: The Immersion Channel broadcasts programs Monday through Friday. Programs aired include highlight videos from expeditions and other ocean-related programming. In the future, we hope to work with other research institutions to distribute live and pre-produced programs from a variety of research venues.
Of course, teachers and leaders can choose to use any of the past expedition programs at any time throughout the year.
Is professional development available for teachers and leaders?
Immersion Presents programming is designed to be easily incorporated into classrooms and after-school programs. However, it is important for program leaders and teachers to feel comfortable with the subject matter. Trainings will be offered by UTB/TSC and can be geared to the individual site’s needs. Future plans include a Master professional development program for those who wish to travel to Mystic, Connecticut.
What programs are available through Immersion Presents?
· Adventures to the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean
· Titanic Live!
· Life at the Extremes
· Dolphins
· Ancient Eruptions!
· March 2007 Live Broadcast from Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
· Summer 2007 Live Broadcast from the Black Sea and Sea of Crete
For which grade levels are Immersion Presents materials developed?
The Adventure Series activities are geared toward the upper elementary and middle school grades and are designed to work in both informal and formal learning environments. Although Immersion Presents is chiefly a science-based program, the Adventure Series are interdisciplinary and include activities related to history, culture, technology and careers. The average reading level of each Adventure Series is below:
· Adventures to the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean: 7th grade
· Titanic Live!: 4th grade
· Life at the Extremes: 7th grade
· Dolphins: 6th grade
· Ancient Eruptions!: 6th grade
Immersion Presents has also developed science extension activities to supplement the existing Adventure Series. These extensions are designed specifically for classroom use with students in grades 5–8. The extensions build on the science of the original activities and emphasize inquiry and group learning. The extensions are especially well-suited for formal education settings, although they can be used in informal education settings as well. Immersion plans to create additional extensions for each of the Adventure Series.
What does the Immersion Presents website offer?
The Immersion Presents website features great resources and rich web links to enhance the Immersion experience in your school/club/program. Get updates on Immersion Presents programs, including photo galleries, profiles of Immersion scientists and crew, and live video from our expedition. Engage students in exploration through interactive activities, web quests, and cool audio and video pod casts. The website can even be used to share local imaginative projects with others by creating an Immersion photo gallery or posting messages in our online forum.
What’s new and exciting in the future?
Immersion Presents staff are keeping past expeditions alive through various pod casts, Q&A sessions and an exciting partnership with AOL’s KOL Expeditions program. KOL Expeditions is an online program that allows kids to explore the world through real expeditions. Immersion Presents programming is further enhanced with interactive games, career videos and more!
Who works on the Immersion Presents Team?
Dr. Robert Ballard, Chairman, Founder, Senior Scientist
Dr. Stephen Coan, President
Katie James, Vice President and Executive Producer
Diana Lee Crew, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Laura Batt, Director of Content Development
Brian Doros, Chief Technology Officer
Kathy Hoy, Director of Program Development / BGCA Partnership
Todd Viola, Director of Online Programs