Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT’S IN THE KIT?
See what’s inside by watching this unboxing video, led by Chief Scientist Dr. Erika Woolsey
Why was this kit created?
Combining science, design, technology, and an inquiry-based pedagogy, The Hydrous has created this hands-on learning kit to encourage ocean understanding and stewardship.
The Hydrous believes that an informed society will be empathetic to ocean environments and motivated to commit to ocean stewardship and innovation. It has produced this curriculum to provide a deep dive that conveys the delight and mystery of the ocean as well as a science-based understanding of the threats of climate change and human impacts.
Our hope is that this kit will provide hands-on support for a range of Ocean Leaders who join the Hydrous in sharing the ocean with others. All proceeds from the sale of these kits will support the Hydrous mission of creating “open access oceans” so that all people can engage with, understand, and protect beautiful and threatened ocean ecosystems.
What does “EXPERIENCE, EXPLORE, ENGAGE” mean?
This curriculum is organized like a dive profile (which divers use to plan their dives). First, you Experience the ocean through immersive media and reflection. You then Explore underwater ecosystems, learning about biology and ecology with hands-on activities. You then emerge onto land as an ocean hero, where you Engage with global solutions to the threats facing coral reefs.
Who is this kit for?
This kit can be enjoyed by all ages in a wide range of situations. It has been designed for individuals, small groups, families, classrooms, and informal learning spaces such as after school clubs, aquaria, cruises, PADI classes, and science museums. Adults who do not have backgrounds in current ocean issues will find this curriculum useful in forming their own opinions about the importance of ocean health to the society. They will also find these resources useful in introducing youth (middle school aged and above) and other adults to the ocean.
How can this kit be used?
Individuals — adults and youth — can work their way through the Dive Journal on their own, reflecting on their experiences and answering the questions in this workbook. Each of the six dives (lessons) will take at least a few hours. Extra projects and references can extend this time. Small groups can work together on each learning unit, discussing the questions posed in the Dive Journal with each other and recording their thoughts in one Journal, or in their own additional Journals (that can be purchased separately).
A teacher can use the kits to lead a larger group through the six dives, each a daily lesson, or choose only a single dive for an event or a singular experience. For an intensive experience, all participants should have a Dive Journal (purchased separately); other kit elements can be shared. For a single lesson or event, summary two-page Worksheets based on the Dive Journal are available for purchase separately; these can be completed by all students after a teacher-led activity for each dive.
Who made this kit?
This kit was created by The Hydrous, a group of individuals who love the ocean and want to share it. The team includes marine biologists, photographers, filmmakers, designers, technologists, artists, and teachers. Many of these individuals met each other on Hydrous Dive Expeditions, where they were introduced to marine science and methods of citizen science, including coral reef monitoring and photography of corals for photogrammetry. They produced this kit to provide others with some of these experiences. As Dr. Erika Woolsey says often, “we can’t bring everyone to the ocean, but we can try to bring it to you.” The team brings together experience they have gathered at a range of different innovative organizations, including James Cook University, the Stanford d.school, Apple Computer, Lucasfilm, the Exploratorium, the National Geographic, and the California Academy of Sciences.
WhY Can’t I view 360º Video in the cardboard viewer ?
We became aware of this problem in November 2022. The “View in VR” icon (in the shape of a cardboard viewer) is no longer appearing in the YouTube app when viewed on your mobile device. (When its working, the video splits into two screens on your phone so you can insert it into the viewer to see the 360 content in 3D.)
Here’s what we know so far: it seems only to be affecting iPhone users, it’s traced to a YouTube app update, and may be associated with Google discontinuing support of Cardboard. Here’s an article that sums it up.
The Hydrous team is looking into alternative apps to experience the virtual ocean dives with the cardboard viewer that comes in our kits. One solution we’re currently testing is rPlayer (using a url with Immerse try the 360 settings: Panoramic, VR Glasses, Stacked, Gyro, Gesture, and FOV). We’ve had varying success with this tool, and are researching other options. In the meantime, you can still experience the 360 effect on your mobile device by moving it around you or dragging the screen with your finger.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
For Customer Service contact info@thehydro.us