Treasure Trove: A STEM Novel

By Stephen Wood

Venture into the compelling narrative of 'Treasure Trove' where Diane, Bronwyn, and Zack embark on an adventure to find a treasure ship from the 1622 Spanish Plate Fleet.

Their journey of exploration and revelation of implementing high-tech to find long-lost shipwrecks leads them to a human trafficking ring in the Bahamas and Florida. Attempting to free one of the enslaved girls challenges their abilities and nerves as they are chased through the beautiful Florida Keys, Key West, and the Dry Tortugas by the head of the slavery ring.

This STEM-focused book seamlessly integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into a dynamic narrative. Follow and learn about state-of-the-art instruments used for underwater archaeology as they push themselves to stop human trafficking in Florida.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9798989399222

Book preview

A white paper with black text Description automatically generated

Treasure Trove

Save The World Series - Ocean Engineering (a STEM Novel).

Only 6.7% of women graduate with a STEM degree. When we encourage girls to pursue STEM, we double our innovation potential.

STEM books invite thinking by:

Modeling Real-World Innovation

Embracing Real-World Design, Invention, and Innovation

Connecting with Authentic Experiences

Showing Assimilation of New Ideas

Illustrating Teamwork, Diverse Skills, Creativity, and Cooperation

Inviting Divergent Thinking and Doing

Integrating Interdisciplinary and Creative Approaches

Exploring Multiple Solutions to Problems

Addressing Connections between STEM disciplines

Exploring Engineering Habits of Mind

Systems thinking

Creativity

Optimization

Collaboration

STEM books represent the practices of science and engineering by:

Asking questions, solving problems, designing, and redesigning

Integrating STEM disciplines

Showing the progressive changes that characterize invention and engineering by:

Demonstrating designing, redesigning, improving, building, or repairing a product or idea

Showing the process of working through trial and error

Progressively developing better engineering solutions

Analyzing efforts and making necessary modifications along the way

Illustrates at points that failure might happen and that is acceptable, providing reflection and learning

© Copyright 2024 Stephen L. Wood, Ph.D., P.E.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, website, or broadcast.

Cataloging-in-Publication data on file with the Library of Congress

ISBN: 979-8-9890262-4-1

eBook ISBN: 979-8-9893992-2-2

Audio Book ISBN: 979-8-9893992-3-9

Published and Printed in the United States of America

Save the World Kids

Wood Free Publishing

http://www.savetheworldkids.com

DEDICATION

To my wife, Gisela Susanne Bahr Wood, who pushed me to write these novels during some very difficult times. She introduced me to Sir Robert Marx, a world-renowned underwater archaeologist and adventurer. She helped develop the storyline when I became stuck. She also came up with ‘Save The World Kids’

STEM books by Dr. Wood

Textbooks by Dr. Wood

Acknowledgments

I wish to acknowledge the young adults who spent valuable time critiquing the Save the World Kids series of books, especially Sydney Cordeiro and the Cordeiro Family, Maggie Palmer, Hattie Lechner, Kailey Richard, Cierra Braga, and my sister Phyllis Wood.

Save the World!

Human trafficking - the trade of humans for forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others - is considered one of the fastest-growing activities of transnational criminal organizations. Human trafficking is condemned as a violation of human rights by international conventions. According to a report by the U.S. State Department, Belarus, Iran, Russia, and Turkmenistan remain among the worst countries providing protection against human trafficking. Human trafficking must be eradicated from the Earth, as was Smallpox.

Underwater archaeology - any archaeology done underwater. It is often confused with maritime archaeology, which studies the material remains relating to humans on and near the ocean, which may or may not be underwater, such as harbor structures. Then there is nautical archaeology, which refers to ships, shipbuilding, shipyards, ship burial, and shipwrecks, whether in the water or on land. Marine archaeology also studies the marine environment (i.e., organisms) and their effects on archaeological remains. And, of course, there is shipwreck archaeology specifically targeted to shipwrecks residing underwater.

The difference between underwater archaeology and treasure hunting is that one documents and preserves history. The other takes history and sells it to the highest bidder - the only ones who gain are the buyer and the seller. The rest of humanity loses. There is a constant battle between underwater archaeologists and commercial salvors worldwide. In many developed countries, the arguments of archaeologists are valid, and their actions fully justify their stance. But in some areas of the world, this is not so. In some regions, archaeological information is being lost on a massive scale. Cooperation between the two groups and regional governments is essential to prevent more irreparable damage.

Ocean Engineering

A multidisciplinary field of technology applied to the ocean environment that integrates oceanography, materials science, mechanical, civil, computer, software, marine, chemical, electrical, electronic engineering disciplines, naval architecture, and applied physics.

Ocean engineering is a rapidly growing and dynamic field with opportunities that are expanding as people turn to the oceans for food, transportation, and energy. One of the great things about ocean engineering is that many different types of engineers can work together to find solutions for ocean infrastructure, research, and utilization.

In addition to creating ROVs, ocean engineers develop underwater structures, oil rigs, and wave buoys for data collection, and they are hard at work developing ways to capture the energy of waves and turn it into electricity. They develop transportation systems, plan new uses for waterways, design deep-water ports, and integrate land and water transportation systems and methods. They are concerned with discovering, producing, and transporting offshore oil and developing new ways to protect marine wildlife and beaches against the unwanted consequences of offshore oil production and storm erosion.

Ocean engineers study all aspects of the ocean environment to determine the influence of people on the oceans and the effects of the ocean on ships and other marine vehicles and structures. Their work is global and has never been more important because these professions connect people and places in a way unmatched by other engineering careers. Think of Earth as one big web of biodiversity connecting us to all living things. Many may say that the Pacific Ocean separates the United States and Japan. However, in the maritime industry, they say that the oceans connect them.

Dedicated to Sir Robert Marx, adventurer, explorer, underwater archaeologist, and treasure hunter. The most amazing person I have ever met. Knighted by three European countries, recovered artifacts from 3000 wrecks across sixty-two countries, Bob Marx was one of the most successful and well-known specialists in underwater archaeology. To hear his stories, one experiences exotic explorations in far distant countries as if it was a Clive Cussler or Indiana Jones adventure.

In an emergency, use the following code if you are at a bar:

OWL Shot

Neat => Bar staff will escort you to your car.

On-The-Rocks => Bar staff will call a ride for you

With Lime => Bar staff will contact the police.

Table of Contents

PREFACE

BAHAMAS BOUND

FREEPORT & BIMINI

THE SEARCH

CELEBRATION

THE SURVEY

THE SETUP

THE DIG

THE ARREST

THE ROV

THE FIND

SHARKS

SHIPWRECK DIVERSION

THE GETAWAY

THE KEYS

KEY WEST

TREASURE HUNTING

THE ESCAPE

THE DRY TORTUGAS

THE WINDJAMMER WRECK

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GIRL?

WHERE TO GO

THE HIDEOUT

SOUTHERN SWEET TEA

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

VINNY

NORTH BOUND BY CANOE

THE NUCLEAR SAFEHOUSE

THE DON MIGUEL HOTEL

THE PLAN

FBI

MAFIA

ANA & DIANE

S & S & B

ANA’S PARENTS

KYLE’S ESCAPE

KYLE’S DEMISE

ANA

EPILOG

PREFACE

Note from the author: Human trafficking is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of men, women, and children fall into the hands of traffickers in their own countries and abroad. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit, or destination for victims.

Characters

Diane Jones is an energetic 14-year-old girl interested in everything electronic, especially robots. She also has a deep passion for the oceans and marine life. She has had visions of being a dolphin trainer, a rescuer of manatees, or perhaps sea turtles. Her dad, Sam, suggested that Diane investigate the Ocean Engineering profession, combining her electronics, mechanics, and marine biology passions. (DOB: March 19)

Bronwyn Woodfield – Diane’s long-time friend, age 13. (DOB: September 7)

Thomas O’Conner and Dean Bond, both 14 years old, are Diane’s techie friends. Anytime something comes up in the tech world, these two jump in and learn everything they can about it. (DOB: April 23 & May 2)

Theresa and Claud O’Connor are Thomas’s mom and dad.

Mrs. Bond, Dean’s mom.

Zack, Diane’s friend. Diane met Zack during her investigation of global warming, rising sea levels, and the impacts these two phenomena have on the coral reefs of this country off the coast of Florida. Zack has lived in the Florida Keys his whole life. He is 17 years old and can scuba dive and run any motorboat there. His dad, a ship marine engineer, taught Zack about motors and pumps and how to care for and repair small boats. (DOB: May 5)

Sam Jones, Diane’s dad, is a professional mechanical engineer who specializes in designing specialized robot systems. Skilled in mechanical, electrical, and software engineering, specifically in artificial intelligence, control systems, and navigation. His company designs very specialized equipment for various industries, including the NSA, Homeland Security, and NASA.

Suzanne Jones, Diane’s mom, a professor of computer science, specializes in large data mining. She excels at solving complicated problems with innovative solutions. A certified scuba diver, Suzanne has enjoyed the ocean since childhood. She has taken a five-year leave of absence to work on a few specialized projects while raising a family.

Ben Jones, Diane’s brother 9, is in fourth grade and always follows Diane and gets in the way. Luckily for Diane, Ben gets bored quickly and ends up playing with his toys. At the same time, Diane does her investigations on the computer or her electronics desk, where she has almost every robot mechanism on the market. (DOB: February 12)

Tom Kingston is the ship’s captain and underwater archaeologist. Owner of three workboats: Janet, Jenny, and Jerry

Mike, Jenny’s first mate. Not much is known about Mike except that he came from Coconut Grove in the Miami area of Florida. A crusty old guy who does not talk much but is always willing to instruct those who are not familiar with boats.

Dr. Wood, professor and Ocean Engineering Program Chair at Florida Institute of Technology is the head of the Underwater Technology Laboratory, where undergraduate and graduate students conceive, design, build, and test autonomous and remotely operated systems for the ocean.

Arthur, Government official. An acquaintance of Diane through Dr. Wood, Arthur helped capture a drug cartel that imported drugs into Miami via Abaco Island with Diane, Thomas, Dean, Dr. Wood, and his team.

Ana Novikova, 16, from Sculeni, a small village in the country of Moldova on the border with Romania on the Prot River.

Kyle Zelensky is a treasure hunter and slaver.

BAHAMAS BOUND

It was two days after a beautiful 4th of July. Diane, called her father. I see your dive bag in the hall. Get it in the car.

It would be the vacation of the year—summer vacation in the Bahamas. Diane had been looking forward to this vacation since January, when her dad made the announcement. She and her friend (if her parents allowed it – and they did) were to get PADI certified for scuba diving that June after they got out of school. Her dad had to pull some strings to get private lessons, and only last week, they had driven half a day to a dive shop to purchase BCs (buoyancy compensators), regulators, computerized pressure gages, masks, fins, snorkels, and all the dive gear one would use scuba diving in the Bahamas.

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Diane and Bronwyn were only fourteen; well, Diane was; Bronwyn would also be in a month or so. Diane and Bronwyn passed the course even though their open-water dive was very, very cold.

Diane was very excited about her upcoming trip. She was so excited that she barely slept the night before and forgot to pack a few things. She had to run back to her room multiple times to find the items she needed. Eventually, she packed her bags and picked up her friend Bronwyn. Their luggage consisted of one large suitcase and a dive bag. Since they would spend most of their time on or in the water, they packed primarily swimsuits and boat clothes. However, they also brought dinner attire because they would meet some officials they had met after Hurricane Dorian passed two years prior.

Can you imagine that at age 13, we learned how to dive, and now we get to scuba dive on the fabulous coral reefs of the Bahamas! Said Diane excitedly to Bronwyn as they sat on the plane. Remember, last fall, we saw a show on TV about it, and now we get to dive on the reefs! They would soon arrive in Orlando, where they would hop on the bus to Port Canaveral to catch the cruise ship to the Bahamas.

Diane had wanted to take the new Sky Taxis, which takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter. Once airborne, the engines pivot horizontally, and the aircraft shifts to forward flight. It would have been so cool to try it out; unfortunately, they had one more person than the plane could hold, so they took the bus.

One of Diane’s missions was to see how the islanders, especially those on Abacos Island, recovered from Hurricane Dorian. The northern Bahamas had a category 5 hurricane hover over them for three or four days. The islands had been devastated. Almost no buildings survived. Diane, her friends Thomas, Dean, Zack, and her father Sam spent days huddled in a storm shelter that luckily survived. They had all exited the shelter and saw the horror of what the hurricane had done. That first day, they had spent all their waking hours trying to find and rescue trapped survivors. They had all seen a number of dead bodies that day. It was a sight that they would remember until the end of their days. Diane needed to visit the officials she had met and the people she helped rescue to see how they were doing.

The airplane landed, and Diane and Bronwyn proceeded to the bus, where their luggage and dive gear were already being loaded. They quickly jumped on the bus and headed straight to the front seats to enjoy the best view. The bus started moving fast down the Beachline towards Port Canaveral, where they were dropped off at the terminal.

After waiting half an hour, they were directed to board the ship, where they were met by one of the ship’s stewards, who led them to their berths. They opened their stateroom doors and found their dive gear neatly piled up and their suitcases arranged at the foot of their beds. Diane and Bronwyn were in one stateroom, and Sam, Suzanne, and Ben were in the other.

Quickly refreshing themselves, they went up on deck to watch the ship leave port. To the north, they could see the NASA assembly building where the Apollo rockets and Space Shuttles had been assembled; now, they could also see SpaceX’s launch pad, pad 2, where Apollo 13 took off.

Their cruise line was doing 2-week tours of the northern section of the Caribbean. Fortunately or unfortunately, they were getting off the next day – it was some promotional deal that Diane’s mom had found – stay as long as you like, 1-day, 1-week, two weeks, whatever you want. You pay for how many nights you would be on board. Of course, those who stayed the longest got the best deal.

After the safety drill, the girls explored the ship. They couldn’t believe it. The ship had gaming rooms, swimming pools with water slides, a volleyball court, mini golf, theaters, spas, nightclubs, bars, and even a concert hall. There was no way they could experience everything in one day!

They had been on board for only a few hours when Diane noticed a man reading the book ‘Buried Treasures You Can Find’ by a guy called Robert Marx.

Sir, I don’t want to be nosey, but that’s an exciting book title. Can you find buried treasure? Asked Diane.

The man looked up a little irritated, but when he saw the eyes of two very interested girls in front of him, he developed a wide smile.

You’re joking, he said. There is so much lost treasure; one only has to go and look for it! But not on land, in the sea. Sir Robert Marx, who wrote this book, realized that many people were interested in finding gold, silver, gems, and jewels, in other words – treasure. So, he wrote this book about it. Of course, he seems to have left out the areas he knew really had treasure. Curious, isn’t it?

Pausing momentarily while the two girls gapped at him, he continued, My name is Tom, Tom Kingston. I’ve been treasure hunting for ten years, but not on land, in the sea. I’m not interested in becoming rich but in being famous for finding important ships. You might say I’m a shipwreck or underwater archaeologist. I want to preserve the history of men lost at sea.

Diane used Tom’s pause to ask, Mr. Kingston. What is underwater archaeology?

Well, first, what are your names so I can explain this properly? Asked Tom.

I am Diane, and this is my friend Bronwyn. We are on our summer vacation with my parents and little brother. We are going to go scuba diving on some of the reefs. We just got PADI certified for scuba diving!

Scuba diving, said Tom. "The Bahamas have some of the best diving around, but stay away from the area hit by Hurricane Dorian. That area is going to take some time to recover.

You asked me about underwater archaeology. Underwater archaeology is the study of archaeological remains that are submerged underwater. However, it's often confused with other related terms, such as maritime archaeology, which involves studying the remains of human activity near or on the ocean. This can include lighthouses, shore-based maritime buildings, and harbor structures. Nautical archaeology is another related field that focuses on the study of shipbuilding, shipyards, ship burial, and shipwrecks, whether on land or underwater. Marine archaeology, on the other hand, deals with the study of the marine environment and its impact on archaeological remains. Lastly, Shipwreck archaeology is a specific type of underwater archaeology that focuses on shipwrecks that are located underwater.

Oh, said Diane, still a bit puzzled. So what do you do?

"I do all of them. People use the terms interchangeably, so often, you must ask them what they are doing. In the end, many are not archaeologists but treasure hunters. Archaeologists document everything. Treasure hunters are primarily out to plunder a site for gold, silver, gems, jewels, and anything