EXTREME DEEP: Mission to the Abyss offers opportunities for hands-on exploration of life at the bottom of the sea. Presented by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, EXTREME DEEP is an interactive exhibit that highlights the adventure of deep-sea exploration and discovery.

EXTREME DEEP depicts the mysteries of the ocean’s greatest depths. Newly discovered life forms, thermal vents, close-up views of deep-sea research submersibles, and shipwrecks, including the Titanic, are among the attractions in this deep-sea adventure. Visitors will observe firsthand the technology that has allowed men and women to travel to the ocean floor.

Visitors can fly a remotely operated vehicle over a model of the Titanic’s deck. They can also test their skill at manipulating Alvin’s robotic arm by picking up lava rocks and clams from the sea floor while peering through a recreation of Alvin’s four-inch viewport window. It’s not as easy at it looks!

Geologic forces deep within the earth drive the great crustal plates of our planet, building seafloor features that create hydrothermal vents. Researchers study the process firsthand in WHOI’s submersible Alvin, or using other tools like the remotely operated vehicle JASON and autonomous underwater vehicles ABE and REMUS.

EXTREME DEEP brings the sea floor to the surface in an amazing display that illustrates the magnificent engineering feats of Mother Nature, such as the building of enormous “black smokers” that spew mineral-rich fluid into the ocean supporting life vastly different from that flourishing on land or shallow water.

EXTREME DEEP, designed for ages 6 and older, introduces biology, chemistry, geology, history, exploration and the critical role that technology plays in understanding our world and its future.

LIST OF INTERACTIVES

Alvin Personnel Sphere Interactive: Visitors approach a recreation of the interior of an Alvin sphere to prepare for a dive. Visitors can complete a checklist of tasks to prepare the submersible to “dive.”

Robot Arm Interactive: Watch through a 4-inch viewport window–just like Alvin’s window–and attempt to operate Alvin’s robotic arm. Others may watch the motions of the scaled-down robotic arm from the sides, and then try to perform the same task watching only the video monitor.

Alvin Arm Artifact: It’s the real thing! Touch and manipulate the claw of a real Alvin arm. This is the essential tool on Alvin used by scientists to collect biologic and geologic specimens for examination from the ocean floor.

Types of Vehicles: Visitors have all the pieces in their hands to build a high-tech submersible. Using colorful puzzle pieces, visitors can build one of WHOI’s remarkable underwater explorers, let the pieces fall and try again.

Build A Sub: Kids of all ages can flex their engineering muscles building this 3-D Alvin. Using the lightweight, interconnecting pieces the complexity of this remarkable submersible is made clear. The arms go in front, the personnel sphere goes in the center. What else do you need to build a research sub?

Encounter with a Giant: Juan de Fuca Ridge: It’s dark down here! Scientists see only what Alvin’s lights illuminate. View Alvin in scale with the ocean depth for a sense of just how tiny the sub is. Turn on the light; is that a giant?

Vent Sites Video: “Swim with the fishes” (almost) by viewing astonishing video footage of three different vent sites, (1) 9o North off of the coast of Mexico, (2) Juan de Fuca Ridge off of the coast of Washington state, and (3) the Mid Atlantic Ridge, smack dab in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Biological/Geological Specimens: The Real Stuff. Five-foot tube worms, see-through crabs, and other fragile-yet-tough creatures thrive more than three miles below the ocean’s surface. These other-worldly creatures live on a diet of hydrogen sulfide and bacteria, nestled snuggly around volcanic vents in near freezing water. Visitors examine deep-sea life–biologic and geologic specimens.

ROV Pilot: Explore the wreck of the Titanic as the ROV pilot. Manipulate this ROV and work with another guest to spot and identify surface details on the deck of the sunken vessel.

EXHIBIT DETAILS:

Exhibit Size:
3,000 square feet

Length of Venue:
Approximately three months Available Spring,
Summer, Fall

Target Audience:
6-year-olds and up, families, schools

Cost of Venue:
Christi Klingelhefer at 210-599-0045

Partner:
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Educational Materials:
Teacher’s guide provided

Insurance:
Museum must provide Evergreen Exhibitions with a certificate of insurance for $5 million (general liability) and $1 million (property damage insurance).

Shipping Cost:
Venue pays incoming shipping cost.

Installation/De-installation:
One Evergreen technician will be provided to assist in set-up and take-down. Venue is responsible for providing 4-6 qualified individuals to help set-up and take-down.

Door & Ceiling Size:
Exhibit designed for 6′ Wide X 8′ High opening. 10′ ceiling required.

Environment:
HVAC system required

Manuals:
Maintenance and installation manuals provided.

Electrical Requirements:
Standard electrical supply

Security Level:
Gallery attendants required

For more information contact:
Christi Klingelhefer at 210-599-0045