Recommended age: Grades 6-12 (Ages 12-18)
More than a decade after Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 (MH370) disappeared over the Indian Ocean, marine robotic company Ocean Infinity is using advanced tools to launch a new search for answers to one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. Students are invited to become “deep-sea detectives” and see firsthand how innovation, data modeling and creative problem-solving can reopen questions once thought unsolvable and may ultimately provide closure for families affected by the tragedy.
This educational virtual exchange program will focus on why the Indian Ocean is so challenging to search, and why autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that travel thousands of feet below the surface to map the seafloor offer new possibilities and hope for answers. The Ocean Infinity team leading the search for MH370 will discuss how they deploy multiple AUVs simultaneously to search large areas efficiently, and students will see how satellite data, ocean currents, and past search results help searchers decide where to search next. We will draw on insights from Ocean Infinity’s extensive experience in deep-sea search operations, including notable missions such as the search for the lost submarine ARA San Juan and other complex projects around the globe.
Why is it important to keep searching for MH370, and how can advanced marine robotics and data science improve the chances of successfully finding a "needle in a pile of needles" in such a vast and challenging environment? By following Ocean Infinity’s efforts, students will learn that even when the outcome is uncertain—whether the aircraft is found or remains undiscovered—curiosity and innovation play a vital role in driving discovery. These missions also serve a deeper human purpose: bringing closure to families and improving safety for future travelers.
Register for free at bit.ly/rtwexplore.
