Students on Board
Experiential learning is where it's at!
Natalie Zielinski with Alix Orsi and Paul Clark of Texas A&M about to deploy a UCTD. She will use the data they gather from this cruise to help complete her graduate thesis.
Think of your favorite class. Got It? Ok now think why? Was it exciting and fun? I bet it was hands on.
Whenever possible I strive to make my classes hands on. Unfortunately it doesn't always work out that way. I am sure it is the same in your school. So when the opportunity knocks, Jump on it!
On board we are fortunate to have 8 bright and highly motivated college students. They are mixed between undergraduate, graduate and PhD. Level. I have the pleasure to work side by side with them. So I asked them why they chose to join the expedition. While they all had their own individual objectives they all agreed on one thing. Experiencing science as it plays out is invaluable.
Kara Vadman observing diatoms on the microscope.
The Totten cruise involves several disciplines of science all be done at the same time. These include physical oceanography, seismology, geology, micro paleontology and biology. These disciplines will be discussed later in the trip. This makes this cruise a fantastic opportunity. The students are involved in all aspects of the research. Working in 12 hour shifts round the clock might involve a long stint on the stern of the ship in frigid temperatures, on the ice deck observing for mammals or in one of the labs analyzing specimens and data.
Michelle Guitard and Kara Vadman processing a CHIRP sub bottom profile.
This is real science in one of the most remote and uncharted regions on Earth. Not many people can say they have had such an opportunity. So…. The moral of the story is to study hard and look for an opportunity like this. It makes life interesting.
NEWS FLASH!!!
I just saw my first iceberg!