From Local to Extreme Environments (FLEXE)
the FLEXE Project:
Project summary (PDF)
FLEXE FAQs
2007 FLEXE Research Cruise
Project Web site
SCUBAnauts International
Ridge 2000
How extreme is the deep sea? What does it take to flourish along a mid-ocean spreading center 2500 meters below sea level?
Characterized by crushing pressure, near freezing temperatures, and no light, the deep sea is the largest environment on Earth. Hot hydrothermal vents and cold hydrocarbon seeps found on the seafloor host lush communities of animals. Scientists from a variety of disciplines are currently conducting investigations to learn more about features that make these seafloor ecosystems extreme and unique. Join the scientists in the Ridge 2000 program and associated research programs by participating in GLOBE FLEXE.
From Local to Extreme Environments (FLEXE) is a GLOBE project involving study of the deep ocean led by Pennsylvania State University in partnership with Ridge 2000 and InterRIDGE scientists. Through comparative protocols and online interactions with project scientists and partner schools, students gain an understanding of local and the deep-sea environments, the interconnected Earth system, and the process of science. FLEXE students collect data from their local environment and compare it with data from an extreme deep-sea environment. Scientists guide students in their analysis of deep-sea data through the on-line FLEXE Forum. Scientific reporting, peer review, and communication with scientists at sea during a research cruise cap the students' experience.
Activities
2009
May: FLEXE Research Cruise to the Lau Basin.
2008
22 - 28 June: GLOBE Learning Expedition in South Africa
24-25 July: Teacher workshop at COSEE-GCOM in Gulfport, MS
3-8 August: GLOBE/DLESE Workshop on FLEXE
August-October: School Recruiting for 2009 FLEXE EnergyUnit
December: Teacher training for 2009 EnergyUnit begins
2007
July - August: Recruit schools for Year Two Field Test, Workshop at GLOBE Annual Conference
29 August: On-line training for US Pilot Teachers
7 September: Training for German Pilot Teachers
Autumn: Pilot classrooms test Energy Unit Activities:
- Temperature Variation Around the GLOBE
- Temperature Variation in Our Local Environment (with on-line Peer Review)
- FLEXE Forum — Temperature Variation in the Deep-sea
8 - 22 December: FLEXE Cruise:
- Read cruise updates to follow deep-sea researchers at sea as they investigate Temporal Variations in Hydrothermal Fluid Chemistry, Elucidating Ties to Crustal and Biological Processes. Researchers will also respond to FLEXE pilot student inquiries.
- FLEXE Teacher-Student Blog for all GLOBE students.
- 19 December 2007: " GLOBE HQ to Alvin, Come In Please." Webstream of phone call from GLOBE Headquarters to the research cruise.
As additional FLEXE activities are planned, information about them will be added to this page.