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Jason Project seeks young argonauts

spring for Jason VII, entitled "Adapting to a Changing Sea.'' The applications for next year's project can be obtained at the Bermuda Biological Station by mail or fax.

This year's participants, Sandys Secondary School teacher Owen Roberts and Mount Saint Agnes student Kimberly Barnes, went to Hawaii to observe life on a volcanic island.

They learned how life-forms exist and survive in a volcanic atmosphere and how it compares to life on one of Jupiter's moons. They also observed and participated in DNA studies on birds.

Preparation work has already started for next year's project which entails the study of a South Florida under-water habitat.

Mr. William Wills, of the educational resources department at the Bermuda Biological Station, is coordinating next year's project.

"Scientists will be investigating the relationships that exist at the ocean's edge,'' he said.

The participants for next year's project will be looking at the Everglades, Florida Bay and the reefs surrounding the area called Relic Reefs.

"These are submerged reefs, '' said Mr. Wills. "During the ice age, ice sheets built up causing the sea level to drop.

"As a result the area is exposed to the air which is killing all the living coral organisms.'' A comparative study is to be done to show how life in the area has altered to fit the environment.

They will also be looking at how man affects the environment and how a rise in sea level affects the natural environment.

The Jason Project also includes a live link-up for which equipment at the Biological Station will be used.

The system link-up, called "telepresence'' involves students having the ability to not only observe the experiments but to actually ask questions and even operate remote control vehicles via satelite.

The Jason Project, founded by Robert Ballard, has journeyed all over the globe performing valuable scientific research.

This is the seventh Jason Project and the fourth one in which Bermuda has played a part.

Next year's project will run from April 15 to 26.