Dr. Earle told the students briefly about her early experiences, leading the first team of women aquanauts to explore the sea in 1970. But her presentation was much more oriented towards the future:
“Most of the ocean, nobody’s ever seen,” she said, detailing her plan for conservation-oriented submarines that would explore the deepest depths and were so easy that “even a scientist” could drive them–eliciting laughter from her audience.
“Art and science together is a very powerful medium,” Wyland told their young listeners, just before he and Dr. Earle demonstrated that statement.
Wyland created the sea turtle here…
…and Dr. Earle explained that no two animals, including humans, are ever completely alike. In the case of sea turtles, she said, each one has different spots on its neck. “Nobody’s exactly alike,” she said. “Even if you’re twins, you’re different, and your mother can tell you apart.”
And then, it was time to paint.
Wyland had the visiting students divided into two groups, working on a mural with each.
Everyone seemed to be having fun–and there were, as Wyland said, “some creatures no one’s ever seen in the sea before. That’s what art is.”
And, the students received a mini-art lesson as they worked.