Sylvia Earle

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Sylvia Earle

• Undersea Explorer and Marine Biologist

By Max S.
www.nationalgeographic.com/bookmarks/
earle/images/earle.jpg
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Early Background Information

• Born in rural Gibbstown, New Jersey in 1935
• 1948 Moved to Gulf of Mexico in Florida
• SCUBA diving
• Florida State University Scholarship
• Duke University Masters Degree
• Thesis on algae in Gulf of Mexico
• -Resulting Ph.D. in 1966
• -Continues research

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Making History

• 1970 Tektite II project
• 1. Purpose observing human adaptation in
  submarines
• 2. Led five female scientists
• -Cataloged 153 plant species, 26 new
• 1,250 foot solo dive in 1979
• 1. Used Jim suit
• -Improved by her, husband Graham Hawkes

http//www.ocean.udel.edu/extreme2002/tools/discov
ery.html
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Leading Woman

• Co founded Deep Ocean Engineering Inc.
• 1. Designs, builds submersibles
• -Deep Rover
• First Woman as Chief Scientist for NOAA
• Over 90 research papers, 5 books, 6,000 diving
  hours

http//www.photolib.noaa.gov/nurp/images/nur07547.
jpg
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Questions for Sylvia Earle

• What is it like to be submerged and to dive (e.g.
  first time you used a SCUBA)?
• Did you ever feel you were being discriminated
  against because you were leading a field mostly
  dominated by men?

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Three Descriptive Words

• Accomplished
• 1. Record-breaking dives, good education, uses
  own technology to succeed
• Fearless
• 1. Thinks exploring unknown is chance to
  discover
• Logical
• 1. Wanted to go deeper underwater
• -Started company for submersibles

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Typical Day

• National Geographic Explorer-in-residence
• Dives, researches (w/submersibles)
• Involved w/environmental causes

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Greatest Contribution to Humanity

• Research on Gulf of Mexico algae
• 1. Changes in marine habitats, worries for
  future

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Personal/Professional Regrets

• A. Away from family constantly