RAPID: Underwater Robotics Applied To STEM Education: A Time-Sensitive Discovery In Marine Archeology

弗吉尼亚海洋科学研究所(VIMS)和弗吉尼亚州约克敦的沃特曼博物馆将制定一个水下机器人研究和发现教育计划，与探索最近发现的康沃利斯将军失踪舰队在约克河中的沉船的时间敏感的水下考古研究相结合。科学研究的紧迫性是基于约克河的动态环境，其强大的潮流、低能见度和季节性缺氧可能会迅速恶化自1781年以来一直在水下的船只。地球物理专家认为，一旦残骸暴露，可能会进一步侵蚀。鉴于沉船的恶化速度未知，再加上2011-2012学年实施该项目的限制，任何延误都将使科学研究推迟至少18个月--这对记录船只来说可能是毁灭性的延误。对历史船只的监测和研究将由小学到高中年龄的参与者和他们的老师进行，他们将从沃特曼博物馆的一个指挥站通过使用视频射线遥控潜水器(ROV)和取回自动水下潜航器(AUV)的机器人任务在水下收集数据。学生和教师将被介绍与机器人水下研究相关的科学、数学和集成技术，并将体验真实探险中发生的事件，包括任务规划、执行、监测和数据分析。机器人任务将在历史沉船独特的水下环境中进行。这些研究经验和专业发展旨在作为激发学生对水下考古研究、海洋环境和海洋科学、利用新技术进行高级研究以及为解决与水下研究有关的科学和创造性问题而提供的一系列机会的关键。洛约拉大学的L.Art Safer博士将对该项目进行全面的、基于结果的形成性和总结性外部评估。评估将为项目的实施工作提供信息，并调查项目的影响。沃特曼博物馆和VIMS之间新建立的合作伙伴关系将扩大ISE计划的目标，在非正式场所之间建立新的合作伙伴关系，并扩大先进技术在非正式STEM学习中的使用。在项目期间和之后广泛的公众传播，包括但不限于，在VIMS桥网站上为K-12教育工作者提供项目的实时结果和现场网络广播的“沉船探险”门户网站。该网站将链接到国际无人驾驶车辆系统协会的教育门户网站，该协会是世界上致力于推广无人驾驶系统的最大组织，并通过弗吉尼亚州的门户网站链接到First Robotics社区。该网站将通过科学协会、全国海洋教育工作者协会、全国科学教师协会和ASTC进行推广。将提供威廉与玛丽学院考古研究中心和沉浸呈现网络门户网站的链接--鲍勃·巴拉德博士的K-12项目和杰森探索的顾问。NPS殖民地国家历史公园和河滨码头将创建关于沉船的考古和科学意义的公共展品，并将提供对这一努力中采用的研究和勘探技术的现场观察。

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and The Watermen's Museum, Yorktown, VA, will produce an underwater robotics research and discovery education program in conjunction with time-sensitive, underwater archeological research exploring recently discovered shipwrecks of General Cornwallis's lost fleet in the York River. The urgency of the scientific research is based upon the dynamic environment of the York River with its strong tidal currents, low visibility, and seasonal hypoxia that can rapidly deteriorate the ships, which have been underwater since 1781. Geophysical experts believe that further erosion is likely once the wrecks are exposed. Given the unknown deterioration rate of the shipwrecks coupled with the constraints of implementing the project during the 2011-2012 school-year, any delays would put the scientific research back at least 18 months - a potentially devastating delay for documenting the ships. The monitoring and studying of the historic ships will be conducted by elementary through high school-aged participants and their teachers who will collect the data underwater through robotic missions using VideoRay Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and a Fetch Automated Underwater Vehicle (AUV) from a command station at The Watermen's Museum. Students and teachers will be introduced to the science, mathematics, and integrated technologies associated with robotic underwater research and will experience events that occur on a real expedition, including mission planning, execution, monitoring, and data analysis. Robotic missions will be conducted within the unique, underwater setting of the historical shipwrecks. Such research experiences and professional development are intended to serve as a key to stimulating student interest in underwater archeological research, the marine environment and ocean science, advanced research using new technologies, and the array of opportunities presented for scientific and creative problem solving associated with underwater research. A comprehensive, outcomes-based formative and summative, external evaluation of the project will be conducted by Dr. L. Art Safer, Loyola University. The evaluation will inform the project's implementation efforts and investigate the project's impact. The newly formed partnership between the Waterman's Museum and VIMS will expand the ISE Program's objectives to forge new partnerships among informal venues, and to expand the use of advanced technologies for informal STEM learning. Extensive public dissemination during and after the project duration, includes but is not limited to, hosting an "Expedition to the Wrecks" web portal on the VIMS BRIDGE site for K-12 educators providing real-time results of the project and live webcasts. The website will be linked to the education portal at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the world's largest organization devoted to promoting unmanned systems and to the FIRST Robotics community through the Virginia portal. The website will be promoted through scientific societies, the National Marine Educators Association, National Science Teachers Association, and ASTC. Links will be provided to the Center for Archeological Research at the College of William and Mary and the Immersion Presents web portal--consultants to Dr. Bob Ballard's K-12 projects and JASON explorations. The NPS Colonial National Historic Park and the Riverwalk Landing will create public exhibits about the shipwreck's archeological and scientific significance, and will provide live observation of the research and the exploration technologies employed in this effort.