Your Experience

Our Life in the Abyss Overnight program features our popular living systems lab, which explores the interactions between marine organisms and their ecosystems. In the lab, students will investigate the relationship between biotic and abiotic components of the marine ecosystem. The lab includes a fish dissection during which students will study external and internal anatomy. In addition, students will test the quality of different water samples to see which animals are best suited to live in them. Students also will discuss various habitats and ecosystems in the ocean. Finally students will investigate the moon jelly life cycle and its importance in the food chain with predator and prey relations. In the evening, students will explore what life is like thousands of feet down in the abyss. Students will study the food chains of the deep, look at hydrothermal vents, and discuss varying traits of bioluminescent animals. Students also will explore how research is conducted in the abyss by driving an underwater ROV to complete their mission. The cruise portion onboard our research vessel explores benthic and pelagic habitats by deploying oceanographic sampling equipment to collect a variety of marine specimens. Students will identify various plankton samples and discuss their role in the ocean. Students will explore decomposition and recycling of nutrients by identifying benthic organisms.