U/W Cave Presentation

[Angie Reim]

The Florida Aquifer, by the Orlando and Central Florida Cavers
(A presentation report by Angie Reim and Chip Wuerz)

Wednesday, May 11th of 2005, Chip and I gave a presentation to (2) sixth grade science classes at Tuskawilla Middle School in Seminole County. We titled the program “The Florida Aquifer, by the Orlando and Central Florida Cavers”.

The science classes are currently studying the life cycle of water. So we decided to use the video “Waters Journey - The Hidden Rivers of Florida” as the cornerstone of the program. Around the video we wrapped an informational PowerPoint presentation about ourselves, SCUBA training, cave diving and a PowerPoint picture slide show. Chip bought a DVD of Water’s Journey and was given permission by Beth, at Karst Productions, to use the short version of this video in our presentation. To make sure we kept the students attention, we showed a picture slide show presentation simultaneously in parallel with Water’s Journey.

We formatted the presentation with a short introduction, a video viewing with a parallel picture slide show, a discussion about SCUBA training, open-circuit vs. closed-circuit SCUBA gear, and ended with a list of credits. This was followed by a Q&A session.


CLASS I 10:20am

Chip brought in his rebreather as example of closed-circuit SCUBA gear, established communications between the projector and his laptop and attempted to startup the DVD. He found the TV was broken. Fortunately we had planned for an equipment breakdown and so we improvised until the signal from the DVD could be fed from the media center to the classroom.

We introduced ourselves, talked briefly about the life cycle of water, our drinking water and what is the Florida Aquifer. We continued with the basics of SCUBA training while Chip simultaneously projected photographs from his various diving experiences to a wall screen. This was an excellent idea because as student interest waxed and waned each would focus on these pictures. I noticed that several students mentally dropped out and then would see something in these photographs that would re-engage them into the conversation.

I brought in my sidemount rig with tanks which I setup on a hand truck to give the general idea of how the equipment is worn around the body. We handed out reels, cave maps, cave rocks and began a question and answer session about cave diving. My favorite portion of the presentation was the question and answer session. The kids were well engaged in the program and questions ranged from “Can you touch a manatee?” to “How do you tell your dive buddy that you are hungry?”. The rocks were a big hit but we soon discovered that it’s best to hand those around at the end of the presentation. Sometimes rocks fly.

One student asked how dive buddies communicated underwater. Chip mentioned light signals, hand signals and Wetnotes. The kids were very interested in what kind of ‘paper’ could be used underwater. I was certain that I had checked EVERY page of those Wetnotes the night before the presentation. These notes included deco tables, dive descriptions and some commentary between me and my buddy on a few of the dives. The notes made it around the class until they hit the last table – a group of four girls. Unfortunately I had missed one minor profanity referencing an animal of the equine variety. There was much giggling about it and the Wetnotes were quickly confiscated.

CLASS II 12:30pm

This session went according to plan. A replacement TV was found and Water’s Journey appropriately placed into the core of the presentation. Once again, as the students dropped out mentally they would watch the simultaneous presentation of photographs and regain interest in the program. There was little time at the end of this class for Q&A but one boy did ask me in a rather cynical tone if I had ever REALLY faced danger during a dive. I stated that all cave diving has risks associated with it but was prompted to mention the time I was struck by lightening while diving at Ginnie. This was a bad idea because eventually the class forced me into a corner admitting that I had made a ‘bad decision’ to dive that day. Ah well…we all need a little peck of dirt every now and again.

The Wetnotes were passed around minus one word. This class seemed more interested in the cave maps rather than the reels and once again the rocks were flying.


Conclusions

The kids were a ‘hoot’. The presentation was both educational and well received.


Pictures:

http://cavediver.net/photopost/showp...cat=525&page=1
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showp...cat=525&page=1
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showp...cat=525&page=1
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showp...cat=525&page=1
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showp...cat=525&page=1
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showp...cat=525&page=1
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showp...cat=525&page=1
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showp...cat=525&page=1
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showp...cat=525&page=1
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showp...cat=525&page=1

[Cindy]

You guys are awesome! Man, I think that talking with kids like that takes nerves of steel. Your presentation sounds great. Maybe I can interest you two in doing that again soon. :P Cindy Butler

[Cindy]

Hey you guys, Suwannee River Park CSO contacted me and is looking for help with a group of middle school kids that will be at the park to learn about water conservation. The date is Oct. 18th. They would like a presentation and maybe a scuba talk. I will be in Mexico diving then. We did a talk to the CSO not long ago about our project in that park and how cave divers can help parks by identifeying and surveying water sources. I can give you the whole speil if it would help. No electric so you would have to wing it. Let me know if you can help them out. My email is butler_cynthia@bellsouth.net. Thanks, Cindy

[Tegg]

Hey you guys, Suwannee River Park CSO contacted me and is looking for help with a group of middle school kids that will be at the park to learn about water conservation. The date is Oct. 18th. They would like a presentation and maybe a scuba talk. I will be in Mexico diving then. We did a talk to the CSO not long ago about our project in that park and how cave divers can help parks by identifeying and surveying water sources. I can give you the whole speil if it would help. No electric so you would have to wing it. Let me know if you can help them out. My email is butler_cynthia@bellsouth.net. Thanks, Cindy

I can offer a generator if power is needed.

[Cindy]

Hey, The presentation would have to be in the great outdoors. I should have said that. I was trying to say no power point etc. My last presenation out there worked very well even without all the modern do dads..
Still need someone to go. Cindy

[mpoucher]

Sandra has done several presentations for elementary to high schools students and could give a presentation on water conservation. She has some materials that relate to water conservation and cave diving, but something specific to the park would be great. You can e-mail at mpoucher@atlantic.net

Hey you guys, Suwannee River Park CSO contacted me and is looking for help with a group of middle school kids that will be at the park to learn about water conservation. The date is Oct. 18th. My email is butler_cynthia@bellsouth.net. Thanks, Cindy

E-mail sent!