Newfoundland and Labrador students will soon descend into the ocean off Monterey, California, without leaving their home province. The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development is providing $89,500 to help establish Canada�s first Immersion Presents site at the Marine Institute in St. John's.

Immersion Presents is an education program designed to pursue careers in science by showcasing the importance of oceans. The program was created by Dr. Robert Ballard, a professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island and discoverer of the wreck of the Titanic. Immersion Presents operates through 30 sites in aquariums, museums, and science centres in the United States, Mexico, and now Canada.

Using a combination of satellite and Internet connections called telepresence technology, approximately 400 Grade 5-7 students will participate virtually in a live scientific expedition in California's Monterey Bay the week of March 3. They will experience majestic 100-foot-tall kelp forests, take a day trip on the research vessel R/V Fulmar, and study endangered marine mammals such as the blue whale and the California sea otter.

"The province is home to a cluster of world-class institutions, companies and industry organizations. These enterprises offer some of the finest ocean technology in the world," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "What we need next is to spark interest in students at the earliest age to encourage them to consider ocean sciences as a career. I believe the establishment of an Immersion Presents Command and Control Centre at the Marine Institute will help do that."

The delivery of the Immersion Presents program is a partnership between the Marine Institute of Memorial University and the Newfoundland and Labrador Science Centre, which offers outreach activities to students across the province.

"Immersion Presents is a fun and powerful science education program," said Dwight Howse, Head of the School of Ocean Technology, Marine Institute. "We are extremely pleased to be able to offer students the opportunity to explore the advanced technologies being used in ocean activities and showcase the career opportunities that these technologies afford them.  We�d also like to acknowledge the tremendous support of the Provincial Government, more specifically the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, in making this project a reality.  This support was integral to the overall success of the program."

Immersion Presents is a collaboration between Mystic Aquarium and the Institute for Exploration, the University of Rhode Island and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary Program. Additional expedition partners and sponsors include the Sea Research Foundation, Inc., NOAA's Office of Education, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, the Dr. Scholl Foundation, the University of Connecticut, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The province�s funding is provided via the Marine Technology Development Strategy. Implemented in November 2004, the strategy is designed to grow the marine technology sector and help build strategic partnerships.

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