The College of Exploration proposes to work as part of a Challenger team (involving scientists and researchers from universities and research institutions) to recreate the H.M.S. Challenger expedition of 1872, both as an actual oceanographic exploration and as a virtual electronic voyage.
The re-created Challenger expedition would provide an opportunity to capture the excitement and importance of that pioneer expedition, to support current marine research and to develop educational programs for a variety of audiences. It would afford comparative data for use by science and education communities. Comparisons could include:
- Ocean Data
- Weather and Climate Data
- Marine Organisms
- Types of Research Vessels
- Tools and Scientific instruments
- Navigational Aids
- Political Entities
- Cultural Changes
It would help build global awareness of the issues of the ocean and would build a global community of interest about the sea among the public, scientists, educators, technologists, sailors, and students.
The project would consist of various phases and components, which could be going on simultaneously or individually, based on funding issues and logistical complexities.