Narragansett, RI — January 18, 2002 — The regions around the North and South Poles are the setting for the 2002 JASON Project, aptly entitled Frozen Worlds. Examining current research in geology, glaciology, biology, astrobiology, oceanography and climatology, JASON Project scientists will focus on amazing plants and animals that survive in these frigid environments, from the largest marine mammals to the smallest microbes.
As Dr. Robert Ballard and his team of scientists and Student Argonauts explore these cold and remote regions, every student in Rhode Island will have the opportunity to view the expedition either live at the URI Bay Campus or over Cox cable channel 3.
The JASON Project broadcasts will take place from January 28-February 8. The general public, scout troops and others are invited to view the live, interactive JASON broadcasts at the Coastal Institute Visitor Center Auditorium each Monday through Friday, January 28-February 1 and February 4-8, at 2:15 and 3:45 p.m. On Saturday, February 2, live broadcasts are at 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. and 12:45, 2:15, and 3:45 p.m. The 9:45, 11:15 and 12:45 shows during the week are reserved for school groups. Tickets are just $1 per person. Preregistration is required and will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The live broadcasts of the JASON Project expedition will be carried on Cox Cable Channel 3 Monday through Friday of both weeks from 12-1 p.m. daily.
JASON XIII, led by JASON Project founder and URI Graduate School of Oceanography alumnus Dr. Robert Ballard, will travel to the polar regions to investigate these unique and exciting laboratories for scientific research and exploration that are critical to all life on Earth. Ballard and a team of researchers and Student Argonauts will explore these regions to study how animals and vegetation adapt and change to extreme conditions. They will also examine the dynamic systems of the Earth and space, how these systems affect life on Earth, and what technologies scientists use to study these systems. More information about the 2002 JASON Project can be found at www.jasonproject.org.
The Rhode Island JASON Project is coordinated by the URI Office of Marine Programs. Sponsors for the JASON Project in Rhode Island include the State of Rhode Island, the University of Rhode Island’s Office of Marine Programs and Graduate School of Oceanography, Rhode Island Sea Grant, the Rhode Island Office of Higher Education, the Rhode Island Department of Education, OSHEAN, RINET, Cox Communications, the Providence Journal, NBC10—WJAR, and the JASON Foundation for Education.
For information or to register a class or group, or purchase individual tickets, call the URI Office of Marine Programs at 401-874-6211.
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Visit the URI Graduate School of Oceanography website:
http://www.gso.uri.edu/
Contact: Lisa Cugini, (401) 874-6642, Maryann Scholl, (401) 874-6211