Journal Entries:
Sunday, June 26, 2005 - Charlene Mauro & Theresa
Today was our first full day as Sea Scholars! It was very apparent that all of us were excited about this opportunity and ready to head to sea! This adventure would be the first time at sea for many of the outstanding teachers participating in the program. We will be traveling on board of the USNS Pathfinder. It is a T-AGS 60 class ship. The Pathfinder is a multi-mission oceanographic vessel capable of performing a wide range of oceanographic operations.
The Pathfinder is impressive! It is 329 ft. in length, packed full of oceanographic equipment and can accommodate 55 passengers. We are so fortunate to be part of this once in a lifetime experience. Ship ahoy! We began the day by attending a briefing given by Mark Jarred, Deputy Director of Survey Operations. He informed us about what to expect at sea and some safety issues to keep in mind. Dr. Sharon Walker gave us background information about the Sea Scholars program and the mission of COSEE. After lunch, and thanks to Georgina's hospitality, we explored Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral. While walking along the main jetty, we observed Kemps Ridley sea turtles, manatees, dolphins and a variety of local fish species. Upon returning to The Pathfinder, our curiosity got the better of us and we brought out the microscopes in the lab to examine some of the specimens we collected on the beach.
After a delicious dinner on board, we shared stories and experiences. We also shared our excitement and anticipations of our future journey. Log in daily to track our fantastic voyage!
Monday, June 27, 2005
We are still docked at Cape Canaveral aboard the USNS Pathfinder. We are continuing to taking on equipment, supplies and personnel. Our day started out with breakfast at 7:30 a.m., then we all went to the main gate for new ID badges. It only took a few picture retakes, but we all got our pictures on the new badges so we can leave the base and be able to return. By 8:30 a.m. our guest speaker, Dr. Jane A. Hodges had arrived. Dr. Hodges is a NASA educator, school teacher and author of over fifteen educational activity books. She is active in numerous professional organizations, including the World Aerospace Education Organization and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Dr. Hodges has traveled to over sixty countries, including Russia, Germany and Nigeria. She met with us to share some great lesson ideas and grant opportunities to help us include more science education in our curriculum along with finding funds to pay for it. She is truly a wealth of information and a very valuable resource. After lunch, we loaded into two vans for an overland trip to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Fort Pierce. The Institute was founded in 1971 with the bold objectives to explore and conserve our oceans and to support scientific endeavors in the sea with the development of technologically advanced tools.
We had a tour of the newly rebuilt labs (much of the facility was damaged in last year's hurricanes). The Institute has been working in conjunction with the U.S. Dept. of Ag. To develop new and improved low-cost, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly techniques for raising marine fish and shell fish. The work is aimed at making aquaculture feasible in more regions of the world to help alleviate some of the high pressure currently placed on wild fish stocks, and providing technologies to reduce potential ecological impacts aquaculture. The Institute has three submersibles that can be deployed to a depth of 3,000 feet. These vehicles have been used by many research scientist to collect data from sites around the world. Our group was able to get up close and see all of the mechanism used for this task.
This is a close-up of one of the subs.
The evening ended with a movie and fresh popped popcorn.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - Janeen Graham and Bonnie Glaze
Today was the last day that the USNS Pathfinder would make final preparations for the Survey. While we were still at the dock, we took this opportunity to tour the USNS Pathfinder and Kennedy Space Center.
While touring the Kennedy Space Center, we were able to see the Rocket Museum, Astronaut Wilson Scott, the NASA facility, and an IMAX presentation. We learned many interesting things, and were fascinated by a display showing us the space shuttle engine. These engines are tested at the Stennis Space Center (SSC). SSC is where the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) is located. The USNS Pathfinder is one of the survey ships in the NAVOCEANO fleet.
In the afternoon we toured many areas of the USNS Pathfinder. We saw the engine room where they operated the winches, the High bay area where many on-deck activities occur, and the main survey lab where most of the classes would be taught and where primary collection of survey data would take place. Finally, we toured the labs where we would be observing collected samples during the survey. Today, most of the preparations for our trip to sea would be complete. Tomorrow we will be leaving the dock to fuel the ship. After fueling we will head out to sea.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - Anne Marie Wolfe and Georgina Williams
We awoke with excitement; today is our departure day! The air is filled with anticipation. Safety was first on the agenda. We practiced in an abandon ship drill and discussed fire drill procedures. We donned Personal Flotation Devices (PDF/life vests) and Gumby suits (total immersion suits). We also practiced getting in and out of the lifeboat.
Shortly after we had a fabulous PowerPoint presentation given by Dr. Sharon Walker on "How to Read a Fish."
Today, the most awesome science was conducted on deck. We discovered the external features of Dogfish Sharks, followed by a dissection. We then studied the brain and other major internal organs. We also learned the functions of all these organs of the shark, as well as the major divisions of the brain. This was a very interesting and informative session.For several hours in the afternoon, we observed the refueling of the USNS Pathfinder. During this refueling time, we shared individual teaching presentations; the first two were implemented by Vickie Ahlstrom (Utah) and Patricia Gutierrez (Florida). Finally, the spring lines are released and we are now away on Sea Scholars 2005. AFLOAT AT LAST!.
Thursday, June 30, 2005 - Theresa Ricks, Rory Toon, and Quent Burge
This morning we had a fire drill. Almost all of us survived. Things were fine until Anna Marie got tangled in the orange tuna can like lifeboat (also known as the sweat-box). A great place to lose a few pounds. Up, up and away was our first experience of the day as we launched a weather balloon to 87,635 feet (a Sea Scholar Record; yeah!)…
Five teachers experienced a rare sighting of an ocean sunfish (that seem to be infiltrating the Atlantic Ocean). It was estimated to be 6 feet long. What an exciting surprise! Unfortunately no one had a camera on hand to prove the rare occurrence. We also saw the Loch Ness Monster moments later. Ha, Ha, but seriously, we saw it!
Does the above face look like that of a criminal? Recently released from Cape Canaveral Air Force security for taking photos of the Loch Ness Monster, sunfish, and flipper (nobody believed us about flipper, either), she is now enjoying her new found freedom aboard the cramped quarters of the USNS Pathfinder library.
Rory Toon taught us about Physical Oceanography and succeeded. (Get'r done) We learned about salinity, temperature, pressure, density, sound velocity, oceanographic instrumentation and sampling techniques. We actually got to participate in data collection and data processing. We used these data to obtain quality bathymetric data.
Bring on the phytoplankton!!!
We are ready for the plankton!!
To end the day we relaxed by looking at beautiful settings like this. Signing off, Theresa Ricks, Rory Toon, Quent Burge
Saturday, July 2, 2005 - Charlene & Patricia 24.45N 83.31W
Water! Water! Everywhere! No land to be seen! Today was an exciting day packed full of oceanographic observation techniques. Our oceanographic studies began with a Shipek Grab. This is a technique used to identify sediments on the ocean floor. With the help of the Pathfinder crew, we took three samples using the Shipek Grab. The first sample was taken into the lab for sorting and identification. Following the Shipek Grab, we did a core sample using a MEG (Modified Ewing Gravity)
After a delicious lunch, we returned to classes on either Meteorology or Biological Oceanography. Many of us collected data on water quality parameters such as salinity, density, DO, pH, and temperature. A mid day plankton tow was done and we all looked at the samples under the microscope.
Plankton Tow The secchi disk was used to determine the turbidity of the water (31 meters!)
After staying up all night doing lesson plans, Theresa did not think anyone saw her napping during Dr. Walker's presentation.After a very busy and hot day, we were pleasantly surprised with a BBQ with all the fixings! Thank you to our cook and steward, Francesco & Alex! Yummy!
These guys can cook!
We eat a lot!We ended the day with another stunning sunset………..
Monday, July 4, 2005 - Theresa Ricks and Janeen Graham
On behalf of all 2005 Sea Scholars, we would like to thank the Navy, Commander Clarke, Mark Jarrett, Sharon Walker, NAVOCEANO staff, and the entire USNS Pathfinder crew. We have experienced a once in a life-time dream of working side-by-side on a Navy ship. The knowledgeable staff of NAVOCEANO taught us many things we would have never experienced in our own communities. Over one thousand students will benefit from this Sea Scholars program in the coming year. Thanks to all! We loved every minute of it!
The 2005 Sea Scholar Team aboard the USNS Pathfinder.
Commander Clarke, Dr. Sharon Walker, Marcus Jarrett
Top Row: David Griffith, Commander Clarke, Dr. Sharon Walker, Rich Balser, Rory Toon, Marcus Jarrett, Darla Cuevas. Bottom Row: Jared McGuay, Travis Younce, Quent Burge, Jimmy Frattle.
Top Row: Anne Marie Wolfe, Rich Balser, Georgina Sanchez-Williams, Darla Cuevas, Vickie Ahlstrom, Charlene Mauro, Bonnie Glaze, Bottom Row: Janeen Graham, Quent Burge, Theresa Ricks, Patricia Gutierrez.
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