Set sail with a team of teachers and scientists studying deep sea vents off the coast of Washington State. Experience the first day of the exciting trip—the sights, sounds, and seasickness.

What does it take to send a crew to the bottom of the ocean? A sub with 14-inch-thick walls made of a titanium-steel alloy—and a day of calm seas to ensure smooth diving. 

At the ocean's surface, winds create waves and currents. So why, then, are there currents moving all the way down at the deepest depths? Find out what's behind all this deep sea churning.

Only the top 200 meters (656 feet) of the ocean get enough light to support plants. Below 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), there's complete darkness. So how do organisms on the sea floor find food?

Valuable ore deposits of iron, copper, and zinc—all formed by deep sea vents and thrust up onto land. If you want to know how mineral deposits are formed, look to the ocean.

Did you know that the island of Iceland is really just the peak of an underwater mountain? What other land forms lie hidden beneath the ocean, and how are they formed?

Why does pressure increase the deeper you go in the ocean? And does this building pressure change the way water flows? Fill a soda bottle with plain water, and find out. 

If you've spent even a few hours in a pool, you know that the deep end is colder than the shallow. But do you know why? Experiment with colored ice cubes for insight into water density.

Plop, plop. Fizz, fizz. Dive, dive. Build your own mini submarines for a deeper look at how they work. No expensive supplies required—just Alka Seltser tablets and household objects.

Scientists have found life everywhere they've looked on Earth—even at the bottom of the ocean, where conditions are extreme. Investigate one deep sea vent's thriving ecosystem.