Bermuda is set to take centre stage in March in the ninth Jason Project called Oceans of the Earth and Beyond.

Fourteen-year-old Jeffrey Steynor of Warwick Academy will be a Student Argonaut in Monterey Bay, California and will take part in dives with scientists investigating kelp forests and sea otters.

Two dozen other students from all over North America, Mexico and the United Kingdom have been chosen for the Argonaut scientific investigations which last year were seen by 350,000 students and adults.

A high tech link-up between Monterey and Bermuda and the rest of the world via satellite and the Internet will give classrooms around the world insight into El Nino's effect in Montery.

Eight pupils from local schools have been chosen to be student researchers, and will dive in local waters daily from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and post scientific notes on Bermuda coral at the Project's web site.

This week, Bermuda Biological Station for Research Education Officer Helle Patterson met with the group and diving instructor Janet Slaughter.

Mrs. Slaughter said student researchers were chosen for their dive qualifications and from teacher recommendations. She added that all were "keen students''.

In addition to their regular school work, the students must produce a journal of their experiences and improve diving skills with Mrs. Slaughter.

They will have to learn underwater film techniques. And final dive readiness will be tested by dive master Nancy Hands and BBSR researcher Robbie Smith.

During the two weeks of the project, the students will stay at the Bio Station chaperoned by Mrs. Slaughter. Students from overseas may also visit.

Cable & Wireless will again sponsor all costs as the project and its technology will encourage students to train in the sciences and may provide future employees, said Mrs. Patterson.

Student researchers will be led by Mrs. Slaughter and BBSR's Clare Morrall, a graduate intern and doctoral candidate.

This year's researchers are Sarah Lusher and Paul Frere of Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Ruth O'Kelly-Lynch of Bermuda High School for Girls, David Bean of Whitney Institute Middle School, and Eli Lipschultz, Michelle Outerbridge and Kalilah Robinson of Saltus Grammar School.

of oxygen levels in Devonshire Bay as Aaron Eversley looks on. A video about Bermuda for The Jason Project has been produced.