MYSTIC, CT -- Explore whale migration corridors and the Kelp Forest of Monterey at the new Immersion Institute(TM), a new Project from Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration and the imagination of Dr. Robert Ballard, the discoverer of the Titanic, and founder and president of the Institute for Exploration. The groundbreaking Immersion Institute, which employs the same robotics used in sea exploration, wires Monterey National Marine Sanctuary to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration through a live digital feed, which enables visitors to explore the sanctuary in real time for the first time ever. The Immersion Institute program, which takes place in an interactive theater, begins with a short film about our National Marine Sanctuaries and their importance and preservation. The interactive experience then allows visitors to explore the Monterey Sanctuary in a round theater using interactive consoles to drive an ROV wired with live, real-time video cameras. An interpreter takes the audience through a "live" exploration of the sanctuary while an interactive game is running on the console in front of them. At the interactive consoles, visitors can also learn more about the marine life that inhabits the sanctuary, such as California sea lions and anenomes and Bat Stars, from informational databases, play virtual games, and earn points for completing "missions" by locating specific life forms. "Nearly ten years ago I envisioned creating an opportunity for people to go on their own explorations using the same tools that we use for deep sea expedition," said Dr. Ballard. "By wiring these National Marine Sanctuaries we can now bring the wonders of the sanctuaries to people who would otherwise never have an opportunity to witness them." "Audiences can now interactively explore these spectacular natural environments because of the unique way we've custom-built this integrated theatre. We've used our proprietary hardware and software in a way that we feel really meets the vision of where Dr. Ballard and the team wanted to go--creating a dynamic, and hopefully compelling sense of exploration." says Stacey Spiegel, CEO of Immersion Studios, based in Toronto, Canada. The game content created by Immersion Studios, and running on the interactive consoles is creatively and technologically innovative and state-of-the-art. Partnerships with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Qwest Communications International Inc., VBrick Systems, and Immersion Studios have provided either access or technology to make the Immersion Institute possible. The Immersion Institute was launched as a new, interactive exploration exhibit for a general audience. It will allow visitors to view living animals and environmental conditions in remote locations that they may never have the opportunity to explore personally. Next, an educational version with a curriculum will be developed for educators throughout the region and ultimately throughout the country. It will serve as a tool for teachers to help make marine science, including marine biology and ecosystems, interesting, real and relevant to their students. The technology enabling the Immersion Institute is cutting edge and remarkable within itself. In addition to Dr. Ballard's robotics, the system will run coast to coast on the Abilene Internet2 high-speed backbone. The Abilene Internet2 network is a state-of-the-art next-generation data and video communications network for use by academic and research organizations. The Abilene network is an Internet2 backbone network providing nationwide high-performance networking capabilities for over 200 Internet2 universities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Qwest Communications also is a national communications partner of the Immersion Institute. Another component is the cutting-edge technology Vbrick, created by VBrick Systems in Wallingford, Connecticut. VBrick enables the high-definition transport of the live images from Monterey. NBC/TV30, as a major media sponsor will be providing an Internet-based preview of the project on their web property, the "Feedroom" in the coming weeks. "Qwest is excited to be part of this one-of-a-kind project and we are pleased by the opportunity to bring new learning experiences to a larger spectrum of the population," said John Walker, Qwest vice president of government and education solutions. "The Qwest network supports educational and research projects around the world, and we're happy that our relationship with Abilene and Internet2 allows us to continually expand that portfolio." "Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration has long embraced technology as a tool to help explain the marine environment," said Rich Mavrogeanes, president and founder of VBrick Systems, one of the main technologies companies enabling the live sanctuaries program. "The confluence of technologies represented by the Immersion Institute is groundbreaking and it is our hope that by using VBrick's products the Immersion Institute will begin to experience first hand the power of DVD-quality video to educate and inform its visitors." Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is a non-profit organization. Proceeds go to the development and execution of educational programs, marine research, marine animal rescue and releases, and expeditions. For additional information visit mysticaquarium.org, ife.org or www.internet2.edu.