The Voyage of the Bathysphere

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A Deep Sea Adventure Overview & Background: On August 15, 1934, William Beebe and Otis Barton shattered the world diving record by plunging to an astonishing depth of 3,028 feet below the ocean's surface. Aided by Gloria Hollister and Jocelyn Crane, Beebe and Barton embarked on this incredible journey inside a revolutionary spherical vessel called the Bathysphere. How Deep is That? The Bathysphere's remarkable voyage descended over one half mile deep into the unknown. Another record-breaking dive that comes to mind was twice as deep as the Bathysphere's daring feat. On April 20, 2010, the Transocean Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in Mississippi Canyon 252, unleashing a devastating blast of crude oil into the ocean from its broken wellhead. The break occurred over 5,000 feet below the ocean surface. Brave robots were deployed to combat this environmental disaster in freezing water temperatures of 34F and crushing pressures exceeding 2,400 pounds per square inch (PSI). Make Your Own Bathysphere 1. Assemble the Bathysphere by gluing the skid to its designated slots on the bottom, carefully installing Sphero inside the vessel, and securely bolting the top with fasteners. 2. To ensure your Bathysphere sinks in water, calculate the weight required to be attached to the skid for it to remain level as it descends. 3. Tie a strong knot to the connector on the top of your Bathysphere, ensuring it can lift the vessel. 4. Attach the line to the fishing rod and reel, ready for an epic underwater adventure. Preparation: To complete this lesson, gather the necessary materials: * 3D printed files for the Bathysphere replica * Sphero, SPRK, or SPRK+ robot * OrbBasic App (Android and/or iOS version) * A large spool of break-resistant fishing line or filament (e.g., 20 - 30 feet) * Four M4 screw bolt fasteners with matching nuts (or use 6-32 fasteners as an alternative) * An assortment of fishing tackle weights or other water-resistant weights * A sturdy fishing rod and reel * Tape measure * Stopwatch * Various water-resistant pens or markers * Plastic cement or glue * A deep pool of water or a deep open stairwell Enjoy!