San Antonio Club Members Meet Renowned Oceanographer Robert Ballard
Galveston, TX -- April 2, 2007

Four Club members and three staff of the San Antonio Boys & Girls Clubs had the opportunity to meet with renowned ocean explorer Dr. Robert Ballard in Galveston on March 2 as he prepared to launch a seven-day expedition of the Gulf of Mexico. Ballard, professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island and president of the Institute for Exploration at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration brought an interdisciplinary team of scientists on the voyage.

San Antonio Boys & Girls Clubs members traveled to Galveston in March to meet famed oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard. Pictured with Ballard, left to right are Jacob Zamora, Kayla Escalera, Abdul Altakrouri and Monique Garza.

The scientists explored the fascinating undersea landscape of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) using two ships, a nuclear-powered research submarine, a remotely operated vehicle and scuba divers to explore coral reefs, brine seeps, mud volcanoes and search for evidence of ancient human habitation. Deep-water exploration of the FGBNMS was made possible by the U.S. Navy’s NR-1—the nation’s only nuclear-powered submarine dedicated to underwater research. Supported by the 238-foot SSV Carolyn Chouest, the NR-1 carried video cameras, sample-collection equipment and tools to map the sea floor.

BGCSA members Monique Garza, Abdul Altakroui, Jacob Zamora and Kayla Escalera explore the NR-1 in Galveston on March 3. The NR-1 is the U.S. Navy's only nuclear-powered submarine dedicated to underwater research.

As part of the expedition, Ballard conducted a series of live broadcasts distributed via satellite and the Internet to 51 Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation. The broadcasts, which are part of a larger interdisciplinary science curriculum entitled Secrets of the Gulf, took place several times each day, March 5–9.

Approximately 25 BGCSA members had a front row seat as they asked the scientists questions in real time and watched the undersea landscape unfold in front of their very eyes. This unique program introduced inner-city youth to the scientific professions of geology, biology and marine archaeology.

"This was a tremendous learning opportunity for our Club members and it has inspired several of our kids to want to go in to the science professions," said Romeo Cruz, director of the Crestholme Branch. "Getting to meet Dr. Ballard and tour the nuclear submarine was a terrific learning experience -- as was participating in the expedition in real time from the Clubs."

Club members join Dr. Robert Ballard in Galveston as he prepares to launch his Gulf of Mexico expedition. Pictured left to right are Jacob Zamora, Abdul Altakrouri, Kayla Escalera, Romeo Cruz, Monique Garza, and Delia Ruiz. Romeo (Crestholme) and Delia (Calderon) are staff members.

This program is part of an after-school science-based curriculum called Immersion Presents, which has been developed and distributed to selected Boys & Girls Clubs across the U.S. to help get youth in grades 5-8 excited about and engaged in science education. Previous curriculum modules have focused on Ballard's famed Titanic mission as well as missions to the Black Sea and Aegean Sea.