Underwater Cave Explorer Sam Meacham to Visit Texas State Aquarium

October 20, 2017

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – Sam Meacham, the Texas State Aquarium’s newest Flint Hills Resources STEM Professional in Residence and experienced cave diver and conservationist, will be at the Aquarium this week to discuss his research and explorations of underwater caves in the Yucatan Peninsula. Sam will share his underwater adventures, new discoveries, and the science of how he explores these amazing and unique habitats.

Meacham is the Director of El Centro Investigador del Sistema Acuifero in Quintana Roo, Mexico.  He is an experienced cave diver with over 3,000 dives logged and has extensive experience leading cave diving expeditions in the region, the most significant of which is the ongoing exploration of Sistema Ox Bel Ha and the adjacent Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.  Meacham remains committed to understanding the complex dynamics of the Yucatan Peninsula’s karst aquifer and is active in exploration, conservation and education issues about the cenotes and underground rivers in the Yucatan Peninsula. He has appeared in documentary films for CNN International, The Discovery Channel, PBS, NHK, National Geographic, BBC and BBC’s Natural History unit, including the critically-acclaimed “Planet Earth” series.

As the Texas State Aquarium’s STEM Professional in Residence, Meacham will work with the Aquarium to strengthen STEM process skills through student education programs, teacher development, and guest experiences.

During his partnership with the Aquarium, Meacham will speak to students, educators and guests at a series of events titled “Hidden Underwater Treasures.”

Conservation Seminar – Open to public

Thursday, September 28, 2017

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. CST

Meacham will present his research on cenotes and open up the session for Q&A to the public at-large.

Aquavision Program
Friday, September 29

10:00 – 10:50 a.m. CST

Meacham will speak to schoolchildren located across the nation using the Aquarium’s Flint Hills Resources Aquavision Distance Learning Studio, which connects with classrooms and other groups through web-based video conferencing technology.

Teacher Workshop

Saturday, September 30
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST

Meacham will discuss his work during a Texas Continuing Professional Education Credit workshop. Teachers will discuss classroom application and connections of Meacham’s work and are invited to submit proposals to continue working with Sam and the education team at the Aquarium through paid fellowships and curriculum development teams. To register or learn more about the workshop, contact Leslie Peart at [email protected] or (361) 881-1218.

Guest Meet and Greet

Saturday, September 30
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CST

Guests will have the chance to meet and chat with Meacham in the exhibits.

Interview and media opportunities with Sam Meacham are available at each of these events or at another arranged time from Thursday, September 28 through Sunday, October 1. Please contact Seamus McAfee using the information above to arrange a date and time.

###

Next Article

You May Also Be Interested In

  • )">

    Sharks: Myth vs. Fact


    September 18, 2017

    Our longstanding fear of sharks has always been evident in literature, and in countless movies and TV shows – perhaps most prominently in the movie “Jaws” and Discovery Channel’s popular “Shark Week” series. While the media loves to play up ou... Read More