Get to Know
ASHA DE VOS
In this fact-file find out why we turned Asha into a superhero.
ABOUT ASHA
Superhero Backstory
Asha uses sound waves to locate objects and animals.
As a child, the ship Asha was on capsized in the Indian Ocean. Shipwrecked, she discovered she was able to speak with some marine animals via echolocation. She used her power to locate a nearby ship and was able to rescue her family. Shortly after, she joined Team Remarkablz.
As a child, the ship Asha was on capsized in the Indian Ocean. Shipwrecked, she discovered she was able to speak with some marine animals via echolocation. She used her power to locate a nearby ship and was able to rescue her family. Shortly after, she joined Team Remarkablz.
Asha De Vos
Occupation: Marine Biologist
Born: 1979
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Asha is a Sri Lankan marine biologist, ocean educator & pioneer of blue whale research. She is known for her Blue Whale Project and is a Senior TED Fellow. More here >>>
Born: 1979
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Asha is a Sri Lankan marine biologist, ocean educator & pioneer of blue whale research. She is known for her Blue Whale Project and is a Senior TED Fellow. More here >>>
Top Quarkz
Asha features in Newton's Rainbow and our signature card game, Top Quarkz. The game supports development of maths, literacy and decision making skills all while learning about some of the most impressive scientific discoveries throughout history.
We've explained the drawing and her playing card below so you can learn more about both her superhero and real-life identity.
We've explained the drawing and her playing card below so you can learn more about both her superhero and real-life identity.
Echolocation. We gave Asha this superpower as she studies whales. Whales use echolocation for navigating.
The box to Asha's right has a number of hidden secrets inside. The puppet was used by Asha during her 2013 TED-Ed lesson; She was nominated as 2016 Emerging Explorer by National Geographic; In a 2017 interview Asha talks about digging potatoes in Scotland to pay for her studies.
The logo on Asha's chest is the the logo of the Blue Whale Project. Asha founded the Blue Whale Project in 2008, which studies blue whales in the northern Indian Ocean.
Superpower
Discovery
Asha founded the Blue Whale Project in 2008, which studies blue whales in the northern Indian Ocean.
You can find Asha in Perth. Why? Because populations of Sri Lankan blue whales can also be found in Perth.
Location
SideKick
Asha's side-kick is marine biologist Sylvia Earle. Sylvia looks at marine ecosystems with a focus on conservation.
Ship traffic crossing the Indian Ocean results in ship strikes which injures and kills many whales
Weakness
Top Quarkz Card Explained
Each drawing we create has one or more hidden treasure(s) about our superheroes' life experiences, depictions in art, jobs or discoveries. Did you find the ones hidden in this drawing?
Hidden Treasures
We have packed a lot into our cards - from amazing imagined superpowers to biographical information and hidden treasures.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Marine biology is the study of organisms and ecosystems in the ocean and other saltwater environments.
What Do Marine Biologists Do?
Video credit: BBC Earth
Why is whale poop important?
Whale poop gives marine biologists a picture of the life of whales: what they eat, how stressed they might be and it can even help to identify the whale species. Also, it is really important to the oceans' ecosystem. Find out why in this video from Oceanswells.
Did you know?
Why are whales so big?
Asha explains why whales are so big. You'll meet her puppet in this video.
Video credit: Oceanwells
* Indian Ocean whales have different dialects this means they can't communicate with other blue whales.
* Indian Ocean whales are non-migratory; they don't leave warm, tropical waters at all.
* Indian Ocean whales don't eat krill - they eat shrimp
* Did you know whale poop is red!
* Indian Ocean whales don't eat krill - they eat shrimp
* Did you know whale poop is red!
Video credit: Oceanwells
Some
Facts
Facts
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