1. Interactive Learning Station: THE OCEAN Fwd Crustaceans Sylvia Earle

2. Sylvia Earle is a famous scuba-diver who has won international acclaim as a scientist who has made a number of important discoveries regarding the ecology of marine plants as well as a record-setting diver logging over 6,000 hours under the sea. Back Fwd Beg End Last

3. Wearing a special suit designed by Nuytten, Sylvia Earle spent two and a half hours exploring the ocean bottom--a dangerous proposition, considering the fact that if her life-support systems had failed, the pressure at that depth is a crushing 600 pounds per square inch. The walk demonstrated to other scientists that research at such depths was possible. Back Fwd Beg End Last

4. On an interview, Earle was asked… Q.There were points in your career where being female kept you from doing certain things. Isn't that the case? A. At various points along the way, the fact that I was a woman was held up to me as a reason why I couldn't do this or that or the other thing. I'm a little girl. So what? That was my first recollection of kind of being rocked back on my heels with that kind of awareness. Although I'm sure that all through school, the role models are pretty well established. You will become one of three or four things. You will become a wife and mother, or you will become a teacher, or a nurse, or maybe a stewardess on an aircraft. Or you could type, you could become a secretary. And there aren't very many other options that are held out. They weren't to me as a child, growing up. But it never occurred to me that was all I could be. Back Fwd Beg End Last

5. The world of the crustaceans is a world of bizarre shapes and adaptations. This group of animals is probably best-known for their hard outer shell. Common Barnacle Anemone Shrimp Red Hermit Crab Arrow Crab Banded Coral Shrimp Back Fwd Beg End Last

6. As the crustacean grows, the outer shell must be removed and discarded. Once this takes place, the new shell takes time to harden. During this period, the animal is without its primary means of protection and vulnerable to attack from predators. The Rock Crab Red lobster Red Lobster Back Fwd Beg End Last

7. Crustaceans have an impressive arsenal of weapons at their disposal. The claw of many crustaceans is capable of exerting hundreds of pounds of pressure. Some even have the unique ability to produce a deafening miniature sonic boom with which they stun their prey. Spiny Lobster Slipper Lobster Back Fwd Beg End Last

8. Despite of their impressive armor and fierce weaponry, the crustaceans do occasionally meet their match. The teeth of the triggerfish and the beak of the octopus can crack through the toughest shells of crabs and lobsters, making an enjoyable meal. Back Fwd Beg End Last

9. Self-Check Question # 1: What is Sylvia Earle known for? a.An animal-rights activistAn animal-rights activist b.A zoologistA zoologist c.A scuba-diverA scuba-diver d.A professional lifeguardA professional lifeguard Back Fwd Beg End Last

10. Self-Check Very Good! You are now able to go onto question #2. Question #2: How many hours has Sylvia Earle logged-in under the sea? a.100 hours100 hours b.6,000 hours6,000 hours c.600,000 hours600,000 hours d.1,000,000 hours1,000,000 hours Back Fwd Beg End Last

11. Self-Check Excellent job! Let’s try another, #3 is pretty tricky… Question #3: What did Sylvia’s dangerous 2 1/2 hour un- tethered walk exploring the ocean bottom prove? a.That women can do dangerous things, just like men.That women can do dangerous things, just like men. b. It demonstrated to other scientists that research at such depths was possible. It demonstrated to other scientists that research at such depths was possible. c. That she had a lot of courage and bravery. That she had a lot of courage and bravery. d. That she was determined to discover new things. That she was determined to discover new things. Back Fwd Beg End Last

12. Self-Check Awesome answer! Let’s keep going… Question #4: Crustaceans grow out of their hard outer-shell and must grow a new one several times during their life. True False Back Fwd Beg End Last

13. Self-Check You are doing so well…here is the last question, can you answer it correctly? Question #5: Who are the two most common sea creatures who enjoy crustaceans as a meal? a.Seals and alligatorsSeals and alligators b.Sharks and whalesSharks and whales c.Octopuses and triggerfishOctopuses and triggerfish d.Lobsters and sting-raysLobsters and sting-rays Back Fwd Beg End Last

14. Great Job on completing the interactive self-check. You now have more knowledge about the sea! For more information, continue onto the Student References. Back Fwd Beg End Last

15. References for students… “About the Author.” http://literati.net/Earle/ (10/21/02).http://literati.net/Earle/ Earle, Sylvia. “Depth Charger.” People 53 (2000): 159. Earle, Sylvia with photographs by Wolcott Henry. Sea Critter. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2000. Glausiusz, Josie. “Earle of the Sea.” Discover 21 (2000): 16. Ortiz, Edward. “EXPLORER HERO: SYLVIA EARLE.” http://myhero.com/hero.asp?hero=sylviaearle (10/21/02). http://myhero.com/hero.asp?hero=sylviaearle Back Fwd Beg End Last

16. Works Cited http://www.seasky.org/reeflife/sea2e.html http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/ear0pro-1 http://lobster.ls.huji.ac.il/~tamnun/ http://www.aqua.org/animals/species/procto.html http://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/animals/clown.htm http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/collections/crustaceans http://www.ecuadorpictures.org/galapagos_1.asp?=r=galapagos&c =Crrustaceans http://fvi.cnn.com/2002/fvi/news/05/01/sylvia.earle/ Back Fwd Beg End Last

17. The End Created by: Megan Robinson Back to Unit Theme Page Back to VIP Page Back Fwd Beg End Last "The most important thing, to me, (as a child) was the kind of creatures that you could see along the beach that you can't find anywhere else.“ - Earle Back to Unit Theme Page Back to VIP Page