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The deep-diving research vessel that took two hydronauts to the
deepest point of the world's oceans 56 years ago is still diving -
in many ways, deeper than ever.
The Trieste - a
Swiss-designed, Italian-built bathyscaphe acquired by the U.S. Navy
in 1958 - first made history by reaching the bottom of the
Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean's Marianas Trench on Jan. 23,
1960.
U.S. Navy Lt. Don Walsh and scientist Jacques Piccard
traveled nearly seven miles - precisely 35,797 feet - aboard the
Trieste to prove that humans could safely explore the deepest ocean
depths.
Now, the Trieste is making history with deep dives into the
dreams and imaginations of students visiting the Undersea
Exploration exhibit at the National Museum of the United States
Navy.
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July 12, 2016 - Middle and high school students from Camp Dogwood
Summer Academy get a Navy gunner's perspective on 40mm anti-air guns
at the National Museum of the United States Navy. Retired Navy
officers joined scientists and engineers from Naval Surface Warfare
Center Dahlgren Division and a museum official to brief 29 students
from the academy on submarines and exhibits ranging from a diving
capsule and torpedo room to a periscope and artic undersea
operations, including ice breakthroughs. (U.S. Navy photo by
Brittany Noah)
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"I really loved getting into the submarine that went into
the deepest part of the ocean," said Tre, 11, who was
briefed on the Trieste and its achievement - the equivalent
of putting a man on the moon.
Tre was among 29
middle and high school students from Camp Dogwood Summer
Academy visiting the museum with their scientist and
engineer mentors from Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren
Division (NSWCDD), July 12.
"This camp is a great
opportunity for students to learn more about all of STEM
(science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
opportunities within the Navy," said Brittany Noah, an
NSWCDD human factors engineer. "It's also a great way for
the Navy to pique the interest of bright minds for active
duty and civilian service in the future."
Retired Navy officers Richard Bryant and Rodney Luck piqued
students' minds with presentations that included the science
behind how a submarine submerges, dives, and rises to
surface.
"I learned about buoyancy and how a
submarine operates," said Jasmine, 12.
"Being able to
interact with all the exhibits really caught my imagination
and showed us what things were like a long time ago, and how
they are now," added Amir, 12. "I really want to design a
future sub. My favorite activity was being on the guns."
Amir, Jasmine, Tre and their peers also learned about
navigation, fire control, torpedoes, propulsion plant, and
sonar.
"The highlight of the tour was when we were
able to move the big guns around," said Brianna, 12. "I
would love to join the Navy after I do sports. I learned
about how many people fit in different types of submarines
and how they have improved over the years."
What's
more, Bryant and Luck shared sea stories about operational
aspects of submarine life, explaining how the crew ate,
sleep, trained, and enjoyed morale activities like pizza
night, movie night, and Xbox challenges.
"My favorite
part was when we learned about the submarines and how many
people can fit in them," said Delonte, 11.
The
students were briefed at exhibits ranging from a diving
capsule, torpedo room, and periscope to 40mm anti-air guns
and artic undersea operations, including ice breakthroughs.
"I loved when we saw the submarine jump out of the
water," said Tre. "I thought it was really cool."
The
museum's Undersea Exploration Exhibit highlights the U.S.
Navy's involvement with undersea exploration for navigation,
scientific research, strategic, and educational purposes. By
1958, the Navy - often a catalyst for innovative research -
funded nearly 90 percent of all U.S. oceanographic ventures.
It enabled scientists to explore the deepest regions of the
oceans and to design increasingly sophisticated remotely
operated vehicles that could observe the depths without risk
to human life.
"The students saw how submarines have
been with the U.S. since the start of our nation and that we
are still innovating submarines today," said David Barker,
the museum's deputy director of education and public
programs. "They loved the story about the Trieste and how
deep it went."
Improvement of naval operations and
equipment continues to be largely dependent on the
discoveries made through oceanographic research. The Navy's
undersea operations have ranged from diving to the
collection of scientific data, to the investigation of
shipwrecks such as the Titanic.
Camp Dogwood Summer
Academy is one of many programs sponsored by the AnBryce
Foundation philanthropic organization to promote social
change by building a community of global citizens through
education, career, cultural, and leadership opportunities to
under-resourced young people.
The academy offers
distinct summer experiences for young people ages 7-18: Camp
Dogwood for rising 2nd through 9th graders; Rites of Passage
for rising 10th through 12th graders, and the Staff Training
Enrichment Program for rising 11th and 12th graders. For
over a decade, the ratio of one counselor for two campers
ensures individualized mentoring and instruction. At the end
of every session, each camper is evaluated on academic
performance and overall character development.
The
Naval Sea Systems Command and its warfare centers, including
NSWCDD, offers STEM internships for high school students via
the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program. Civilian
employment opportunities are also available for college
students via the Navy Pathways Internship Program which
provides degree-seeking students with exposure to public
service while enhancing their educational experience, and
possibly providing financial aid to support their
educational goals.
NSWCDD is a premier research and
development center that serves as a specialty site for
weapon system integration. The command's unique ability to
rapidly introduce new technology into complex warfighting
systems is based on its longstanding competencies in science
and technology, research and development, and test and
evaluation.
By John Joyce, Naval SWCDD
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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