STEMExplore: A Day in the Life of a Marine Biologist

The video features Rachel Cartwright, a lead researcher, discussing her work with humpback whales. She explains the mystery of calf birthing locations and her role in managing the nursery area for mother and calf pairs. Rachel describes her typical research days, both on the water and in data analysis. She highlights the use of UAVs for aerial perspectives, enhancing the understanding of whale behavior.

What is one of the main mysteries that Rachel Cartwright's research aims to solve?

• The migration patterns of adult whales

• The lifespan of humpback whales

• The diet of humpback whales

• The location of calf births

What is a significant part of Rachel's typical day during the six weeks she spends on the water?

• Observing humpback whale mothers and calves

• Collecting water samples

• Teaching university classes

• Tagging adult whales

How does Rachel Cartwright spend the majority of her year when not on the water?

• Conducting public lectures

• Analyzing collected data

• Writing research papers

• Traveling to different research sites

What new technology is being used in Rachel's research to gain a different perspective?

• Underwater drones

• Satellite imaging

• Sonar equipment

• UAVs with cameras

What advantage do UAVs provide in whale research compared to previous methods?

• They are more cost-effective

• They offer a longer observation time

• They provide a comprehensive aerial view

• They can dive underwater