Students and teachers have the opportunity to learn about some high-tech sightseeing far below the ocean's surface.

On Wednesday, November 7, 2001, WCET48 debuted The Geo Zone via broadcast and, simultaneously, on the web via videostreaming. Students emailed and called in questions during the live broadcast for Dr. John Francis, a marine biologist who demonstrated the "Critter Cam," which rides the along with marine animals to find out what their lives are like without an intrusive human presence. The program was broadcast statewide on partner public television stations.

Students in Ms. Sandy Malloy's science class at Mount Healthy North Middle School were the studio audience. A taped segment featured students of Ms. Terri Vincent at Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy visiting the Newport Aquarium to observe and interact with different types of animals from various geographic habitats. A lesson plan and other resources for the entire program are available at The Geo Zone website, http://edtech.wcet.org/geozone,.

A free educator workshop on October 23 helped teachers plan for viewing, access materials and lesson ideas, learn how to use the videostreaming viewing option, and participate after the broadcast by posting information and photos to the website.

Dr. Francis, Executive Director of the National Geographic Society's Committee for Research and Exploration, led discussion during the broadcast about observing underwater creatures in their habitats while taking questions from both the studio audience and from classrooms via phone and email. Dr. Francis talked with students about methods of observation -- with a demo of the "Critter Cam" -- as well as the geography of the habitats he has visited and the habitats available to students in their own regions.

"One of my goals," said Dr. Francis, "is to help students appreciate and protect the marine world. To that end, National Geographic's Critter Cam is an amazing educational tool. Each time we ride on the backs of whales, seals and other marine creatures, we collect information as new as if we were going to the moon. But the experience is also literally breathtaking, creating an intense appreciation for the challenges and beauty of life in the sea." Dr. Francis has also served as a producer for National Geographic Television and as a Research Associate and Postdoctoral Fellow for the Smithsonian National Zoological Park.

The program is funded through a grant of more than $20,000 from the National Geographic Society Education Foundation. Partner public television stations across Ohio broadcast the program for local participation, and the The Geo Zone was videostreamed live and archived on the website.

WCET48 is seen in one-half of the homes in greater Cincinnati every week. Its Instructional Programming reaches over 225,000 students in nine counties. WCET48 presentations, which are seen on PBS stations throughout the country, include Survive! With Debbie Gardner, the Cincinnati Pops Holiday programs, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra: Jesús López-Cobos Conducts Ravel and Dvorák, and Cincinnati May Festival: Carmina Burana and Chichester Psalms. More information about WCET48 is available at www.wcet.org.