Gully Deep Dive: An Interactive Learning Resource for Deep-sea Biology

Project Description:The Gully is a marine protected area 200 kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia. Formed hundreds of thousands of years ago, the deep sea canyon's ecosystem is home to the endangered Northern bottlenose whale and a habitat for a wide variety of species.
As part of my MSc Biomedical Communications degree requirements, I am developing an online interactive multi-media learning resource for the Gully. Designed for a high school audience, Gully Deep Dive will take students on a submarine simulation from the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean to the bottom of the deep submarine canyon–and out again. The interactive learning resource will show students the marine life that calls the Gully home, what makes the deep-sea canyon so special, and how regulations protect the Gully while still allowing people to enjoy the ocean in a sustainable way.
The Vesalius Trust awards scholarships and research grants to students who have completed one year of curriculum in accredited medical illustration programs. These competitive awards are based on scholastic achievement and research project merit.

Audience:
Grade 11 ocean science students

Supervisor:
Jodie Jenkinson, University of Toronto

Content Advisors:
​Armand McFarland, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Emily Sheepy, Ocean School

Technologies:
Project Management
Notion
Figma

Visuals
Procreate
Adobe Illustrator
Zbrush
Autodesk Maya

UX/UI
Figma
​Articulate Storyline
​

In February 2025, I was named a 2025 Vesalius Trust Scholar for my interim work on this project. The final learning resource will be made available in September 2025 on the Ocean School website.

Progress work coming soon!