Cape Cod Trip--Special Program by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Seventh grade boys and their teachers have safely returned from their week-long adventure on Cape Cod. This year was particularly special as the boys were treated to a Science program at Cape Cod Sea Camps led by two scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Dr. Heather Benway presented comprehensive research that she and her colleagues have been working on regarding ocean acidification caused by the water's absorption of carbon dioxide. She engaged the boys in several related hands-on activities in which they tested ph levels after exposing water to carbon dioxide. According to their teachers, the boys were enthralled and spellbound by the presentation and related activities. Dr. Dave Gallo, an oceanographer, then led a session on volcanic and life-form activities that occur on the floor of the Earth's oceans.

These presentations piqued the boys' curiosity and they eagerly set to investigating and testing the concepts discussed in a series of complex and exciting experiments organized by the scientists. Learning to be strong stewards of the environment begins with an understanding of the forces at play in the environment. Understanding CO2 and its impact on the world's oceans is one of the many important issues these boys will confront in their futures.

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