|
"Dr. Bob Ballard shows the amazing undersea photography captured by
robots. One of the world's foremost oceanographers, Dr. Robert D. Ballard thrilled SWW 2008 attendees with highlights of his present and past projects. Dr. Ballard has for many years used submersibles to explore the hidden features of the deep ocean. Ballard, a marine explorer and geologist, was the legendary discoverer of the HMS Titanic. The voracious explorer designed the popular submersible camera ANGUS. Ballard enhanced technology that helped locate the World War II German battleship, Bismarck, and the World War I passenger liner, Lusitania. He co-engineered JASON, a remotely- operated vehicle that can be uniquely maneuvered to fit in small places during undersea vessel explorations. He is the founder and president of the Institute for Exploration (IFE) at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT, which specializes in deep-sea archaeology. Ballard spoke eloquently and passionately about IFE’s goal to establish this new field of research utilizing evolving technology, such as advanced mapping and imaging systems, underwater robotics and remotely- operated vehicles. Ballard is also the founder of the JASON Project. Established in 1989 after Ballard received thousands of letters from school children wanting to know how he discovered the HMS Titanic, the JASON Project uses multimedia tools and cutting-edge technology to engage students, many of whom are at-risk schoolchildren, in scientific research and interactive expeditions. In his address to SWW attendees, Ballard spoke most passionately about focusing on middle school programs as the arena in which the U.S. should be focused to raise and develop future our future scientists. Ballard is presently an Explorer-in-Residence for the National Geographic Society and a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy." http://www.solidworkscommunity.com/feature_full.php?cpfeatureid=25581&id=30933 Regards,
Brent Hartwig |