By Karen Graham, Vienna Patch

Vienna’s Ankush Joshi is one of 14 “Student Argonauts” who have been selected to join an elite team of researchers to embark on Robert Ballard’s ship of exploration, the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus, as it travels the waters of the Bahamas to Grand Cayman this August.

Sponsored by the JASON program, Joshi, an eighth grader at Congressional District School, said he was selected because of “my hard work and strong desire to serve as an ambassador for the program and my willingness to talk to other students and spread the message of the program.”

“We will be doing exciting things like shark tagging off the ship,” Joshi said.

Joshi is passionate about learning and excited for the opportunity.  “I will be soaking in all the experiences during the week working with elite scientific researchers and will take advantage of everything so I can share the experience with my classmates,” Joshi added.

The Student Argonaut application process consists of essay questions, a summary of past JASON classroom experience and faculty recommendations.  Candidates must demonstrate an ability to work as team players and an enthusiasm for long hours of activity.

JASON travels to an exotic location each year and broadcasts live, via satellite and the Internet to more than a million students worldwide.

Ballard founded the JASON Project in 1989 after receiving thousands of letters from school children wanting information about how he discovered the Titanic, and asking to accompany him on his next expedition. His vision was to connect students in real time with scientists in the field, via advanced telecommunications, to encourage them to become lifetime learners.

Joshi also has participated in Math Count, as well as the Model UN program and he plays basketball, soccer, track, baseball and was a state finalist in the National Geographic Bee.

As a busy scholar-athlete, who will be attending the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology next year, Joshi currently plays in the Northern Virginia Travel Baseball League.

“I think of sports as a way to de-stress and I am very organized so am able to keep up with all of my activities,” Joshi said.

He is proud of his parents’ accomplishments and wants to follow in their footsteps by working hard himself.

“My dad worked hard to get where he is and I want to do the same.  It is my obligation to do even more and take advantage of the opportunities I have and want to always do my best,” Joshi said.

The 2013 expedition can be followed in real-time at www.nautiluslive.org and at the Nautilus Live Theater at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Conn. The work of the Argonauts aboard the Nautilus will be featured through blogs, photos and live events at www.jason.org.

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http://vienna.patch.com/articles/vienna-s-ankush-joshi-selected-for-jason-argonaut-expedition