The US Office of Naval Research is funding the STEM outreach initiative to teach students and educators about the past, current, and future of human undersea exploration. This newly-awarded 3-year project, entitled “2051 Sea Odyssey” and conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, DEEP, Divers Alert Network, and the University of Utah, will aim to inspire, engage, and educate the next generation of scientists and engineers in undersea research through an online video docuseries and multiple student and educator design challenges.
The 8-part docuseries will be developed as a collaboration between scientists working in undersea research, and DEEP, an undersea engineering company developing novel technology and training to ‘make humans aquatic’. Each episode will provide an overview of a different form of diving and human underwater exploration, teaching viewers about the science and engineering required for each discipline by integrating US Navy-funded researchers into series development and filming.
In addition to the docuseries, the project will incorporate a series of student design and educator challenges at the grade school and university level. Finalist teams for the university design challenge will be invited to pitch in person at DEEP as part of the final episode of the series.
The initial episode of the docuseries is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2025.
“We are excited to be part of this innovative project that bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and public engagement. Through the docuseries, we aim to demystify the science behind diving and undersea exploration, making it accessible and engaging for audiences of all ages. This initiative not only highlights the critical work being done in undersea medicine and physiology but also fosters a passion for STEM education among students and educators, perfectly aligning with DAN’s mission.”
— Dr. Frauke Tillmans, Research Director, Divers Alert Network
“We are excited to embark on this ambitious project that will bring the fascinating world of human undersea exploration to a wider audience. By developing this docuseries, we aim to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers to pursue careers in STEM fields and undersea research. Our partnership and collaboration with DEEP, the University of Utah, and the Divers Alert Network ensures a rich blend of expertise and innovation in diving research, training and operations. The design and education challenges will engage students in meaningful ways, linking their academic pursuits to real-world applications and potential career paths.”
— Dr. Virginie Papadopoulou, Project Principal Investigator and Associate Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina
“The Office of Naval Research is proud to support this innovative project that aims to inspire and educate future generations about the vital field of undersea exploration. This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to advance scientific knowledge and technological innovation, which are crucial for maintaining the Navy’s operational readiness and superiority. By fostering a deeper understanding of the science and engineering behind human undersea exploration, we are not only preparing a skilled workforce for future naval challenges but also promoting STEM education in a meaningful and engaging way.”
— Natalie Steinhauser, Program Officer, Office of Naval Research, STEM Program
“ONR is committed to promoting activities that supports the education and development of a capable workforce in fields critically and uniquely important to Naval operations to include Undersea Medicine. Education and workforce development is a critical goal of the charter that designates Undersea Medicine a National Naval Responsibility, NNR. This project is an important activity helping us to address this objective and we hope will help inspire new minds and hearts to learning more about the challenges that limit humans from thriving in the undersea environment. Attracting more talent and new perspectives greatly enhances our ability to find answers to these challenges that will hopefully lead to solutions that could enable greater freedom of human activity under the sea.”
— Dr. Sandra Chapman, Program Officer, Undersea Medicine and Marine Mammal Health
“This project represents a unique opportunity to showcase the depth of human potential and innovation in undersea exploration. At DEEP, we are dedicated to advancing human underwater capabilities through cutting-edge technology and training. By documenting the science associated with underwater exploration and research, we want to inspire a sense of adventure and curiosity in viewers that may be unfamiliar with diving. Our facilities and expertise will provide a robust foundation for the docuseries, highlighting the incredible advancements in technology and medicine that make human subsea habitation possible.”
— Dr. Dawn Kernagis, Project Co-Investigator and Director of Scientific Research, DEEP
“I’m thrilled to be part of a project that not only pushes the boundaries of human undersea exploration but also integrates these advancements into educational initiatives. By engaging grade-school students and educators with real-world challenges and the latest scientific discoveries, we hope to ignite a passion for STEM and inspire the next generation of researchers. This docuseries will provide a platform to share our findings and foster a greater understanding of human adaptability and evolution in extreme environments, as well as how those relate back to other biomedical and health applications.”
— Dr. Melissa Ilardo, Assistant Professor, University of Utah