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Teach oceanographers with different specialties about other ocean specialties and thus create a better understanding of the ocean as a complete, diverse system.

You have been invited to lead the International Oceanographic Conference in Oslo, Norway. Over one hundred of your fellow oceanographers will attend. The problem is, with so many different specialties in the field—from geological to biological oceanography—the oceanographers at the conference are finding it difficult to understand what their colleagues are studying, let alone to grasp the ocean as an entire, diverse system!

There are four general kinds of oceanographers:

• Physical
• Geological
• Chemical
• Biological

Your job will be to give the opening speech at the Conference outlining the general kinds of oceanography in a way that each type of oceanographers will understand. Then, you will assign different oceanographers to different projects and explain to them how best to work together.

Here is the list of projects for you to assign:

• Bioluminescence
• Polar Seas
• El Niņo/La Niņa
• Hydrothermal Vents

Younger Xpeditioners: Pick one project, such as bioluminescence, and learn more about it through its photo gallery. Then, create a poster based on the animals and terrain that you have seen. Make sure to label each animal/landform that you draw. Show your poster to your family and friends and describe to them what you have drawn.

Older Xpeditioners: Learn more about each of the projects:

• Where in the ocean would oceanographers go to study them?
• What animals might oceanographers study in the project? What are some unique features of the animals?
• What obstacles might oceanographers run into when studying this project?
• Which types of oceanographers would you assign for each project and how would they work together?

Practice your speech for the Conference in front of your family, classmates, and friends.

Parents: Discuss with your children the possibility of a career in oceanography. Is it something they might consider? What kind of oceanographer might they like to be? Why? Take a visit to the local aquarium and explore what kind of oceanographers are on staff there, and what they contribute to research and knowledge.