Journal Entry

Following my visit to the Anvil City Science Academy Heather Jameson came to visit us on board the R/V Sikuliaq (R/V stands for Research Vessel). She brought flags her students had designed and decorated for us to fly over the Beaufort Sea and they are beautiful! Heather toured the ship, spoke with the ships captain, several of the research team members and the ships crew all to gather information for her students.

Anvil City Science Academy teacher Heather JamesonAnvil City Science Academy teacher Heather Jameson at the R/V Sikuliaq helm! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 24, 2017. Dr. Steve Okkonen explains the mooring system Dr. Steve Okkonen explains the mooring system to Anvil City Science Academy teacher Heather Jameson and her family. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 24, 2017.

Along the way she watched as the research team worked on their various equipment, from nets, to moorings, to microscopes and more, to get ready for tomorrow when they head out to sea. There was a lot of activity!

Science teachers by the R/V Sikuliaq!We'll see each other again on September 19th! Heather Jameson and Lisa Seff by the R/V Sikuliaq. Photo by Heather's dad. August 24, 2017.

What would you like to learn about during our research expedition? Give us a shout on Ask the Team and we’ll do our best to answer your questions!

Through the Porthole!

Arctic Artwork!Arctic organism artwork from Springs School student Yeraldin! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017. Arctic organism artwork!Arctic organism artwork from Springs School student Hayden! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017. Arctic organism artwork!Arctic organism artwork from Springs School teacher Mrs. G.! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.

Comments

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 11:59

Anthony G

What is your favorite piece of equipment?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 15:24

Nora C

What is your favorite thing to do on the research vessel that has to do with the research that you are doing?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 15:28

Sandy O

What type of equipment do you have? And what is it used for?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 15:29

Rosa P.

What was the research team seeing with the microscopes? What procedures do you follow when you are about to head out to sea?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 15:53

Trinity

Hi Mrs. Seff!! what is one of the hardest tools to use on the vessel?-xoxo Trinity

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 16:22

Lisa Seff

Hi Nora! I feel incredibly lucky that I'm involved with three completely different projects.  So when the mid-water trawl net occasionally hits bottom, it can scoop up a pile of mud, plus those benthic organisms I showed you all in one of the journals.  Then, we put on our foul weather gear, or Mustang suits and climb into the mud searching for organisms.  If their Arctic Cod, we keep about 100 for further study, but observe and count the rest.  The reason I love it is we get to see these wild organisms that people don't often get to see.  The other day we had 3 octypus in the net and they were pretty wild. Then there's the chlorophyll filtering...which is sort of like meditation.  Sometimes my head and eyes hurt from using the computer (it takes a while to write the journals and answer questions) and I need a break.  The lab room where we do the chlorophyll is dark (as light damages the chlorophyll) and super warm and cozy, it's also pretty quiet, so while I'm busy, it's like down time.  And Dr. Kate Lowry is really fun to work with!)  Finally I get to help Jennifer with her drone! And what's not to like about that.  I'm thinking we need some drones at school...what do you think?(:
great question! Nice to see you all today.
safe seas,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 3:24 PM
Subject: Re: Nora C commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

((( Reply

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 16:22

Lisa Seff

Hi Rosa-the research team uses the microscopes, mostly to look at zooplankton like krill and copepods.  However Dr. Lowry uses a cool microscope called the FLOCAM that can also see and photograph phytoplankton!  As far as procedures at sea, everyone has their own procedures for their area of research, so there are a LOT of procedures with the number one priority being to keep everyone safe!(:
take care Rosa and thanks for the question!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 3:29 PM
Subject: Re: Rosa P. commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

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Mon, 09/11/2017 - 17:28

Kaylynn C.

First I want to thank you for answering my previous questions. I was wondering what kind of equipment do you use for your research? And how long is the ship?

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 16:08

Mark D

How did Heather Jameson like the Research Vessel Sikuliaq?

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Trinity-the mid-water trawl net, definitely!  It's a huge, really heavy net, so it's a lot of work to get it in and out of the water. take care, 
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 3:53 PM
Subject: Re: Trinity commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

(((

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Kaylynn! The ship is 261 feet long, and seems even bigger inside!  The equipment I'm using most in the Flourometer and chlorophyll filters, which helps to determine biomass of phytoplankton (little algae that float with the ocean currents)(:
take care and thanks for the question!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 5:28 PM
Subject: Re: Kaylynn C. commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

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Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Mark!Heather was as excited as I was when I first came on! It's really an amazing ship and I was super happy to share the experience with her!
take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/12/2017 4:08 PM
Subject: Re: Mark D commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi David-good question.  Overall I love being at sea!  And somethings I miss things and somethings I don't!  I miss my husband, land-friends, dog (Oola), and my students (which you are one of!I don't miss watching the news.  Some days I miss a bed that doesn't rock around a lot.  
lol,
(:
take care-Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 9:10 AM
Subject: Re: David Polkowski commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

((( R

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Nichole!  For nets we use the Tucker Trawl, Bongo and Mid-Water Trawl net.  Then there's the CTD Rosette, Niskin bottles, ADCP, EK60...and a bunch of other things.  Say hello to your brother for me!
(:
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 9:10 AM
Subject: Re: Nichole L commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

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Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Jake! Hmmm, that's a good question...but I'm in my cabin and it's about 11:30pm...so here's the link to the Sikuliaq page...let me know if you can figure out the answer!  https://www.sikuliaq.alaska.edu/
(:
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 9:09 AM
Subject: Re: Jake.K commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

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Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Tifany! Good question...and it's 11:30pm and no one who knows is awake!(:
Here's the ships link, let me know if you can figure it out!
https://www.sikuliaq.alaska.edu/
take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 9:00 AM
Subject: Re: Tifany G commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

Wed, 09/13/2017 - 00:27

Lisa Seff

Hi Daniel...not sure what your question means.  My trip home or when we went out to sea?  Either way...always have my computer, phone and camera with me...plus my steel toed boots, heavy rain gear and base layers for the cold!take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 8:12 AM
Subject: Re: Daniel P commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

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Wed, 09/13/2017 - 00:27

Lisa Seff

Hi Corrina-Forest McMullen is our Captain, and he's been doing this for a long time.  However not always on the same ship!When I cam up to Alaska 5 years ago we were on a different boat (only 50' compared with 261' on the Sikuliaq) and with a different captain.
(:
take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/10/2017 4:37 PM
Subject: Re: Corrina C commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

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Wed, 09/13/2017 - 00:27

Lisa Seff

Hi Sarah-the moorings have heavy anchors and the entire mooring system carries scientific equipment that sits on the bottom of the ocean, sometimes for a year.  When it's time to pick it up, they put a transducer overboard and the computer on the ship, "talks" to the computer on the mooring.  It's released from the bottom of the ocean and floats up so the ship can pick it up!(:
pretty neat!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/10/2017 4:30 PM
Subject: Re: Sarah Morgan commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

((

Sun, 09/17/2017 - 14:19

Gregory C

How many flags did Heather Jameson's students make?

Sun, 09/17/2017 - 15:40

Lisa Seff

Hi again Gregory! She made 10 flags with her different classes.  I was trying to think of something they could do last minute...as sending kids who live in Nome, postcards from Nome...didn't seem too exciting! I liked it so much that I just made one for Springs!  It has our school colors + an osprey (our school mascot) and I had it signed by all of the ships crew and the science team!  Hope you like it!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/17/2017 2:19 PM
Subject: Re: Gregory C commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

(((

Sun, 09/10/2017 - 15:54

Kimberly B.

How big is the Research Vessel Sikuliaq? and what type of equipment do you have?

Sun, 09/10/2017 - 16:19

Lisa Seff

Hi Kimberly! The R/V Sikuliaq is 261' in length!  It's huge!  And, it can break through ice up to 2.5 feet thick! Fortunately, or unfortunately because it would be nice to see sea-ice!, the year round ice is pretty far away at the moment and the Beaufort sea is pretty clear.(:
The Sikuliaq has a lot of equipment on board to help the ship operate correctly, to keep the people on the ship safe and comfortable and to allow the research team do their job!  Here's the link to the ships webpage, you can investigate the ship further there!
https://www.sikuliaq.alaska.edu/
take care and have a nice Sunday evening!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/10/2017 3:54 PM
Subject: Re: Kimberly B. commented on 24 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq hosts Nome School District Teacher Heather Jameson!

(((

Sun, 09/10/2017 - 16:30

Sarah Morgan

What is the mooring system? Is it part of the boat?

Sun, 09/10/2017 - 16:37

Corrina C

How many years has the captain of the research vessel been a captain? When you go to Alaska do you always have the same captain?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 08:12

Daniel P

Dear Mrs. Seff, When you leave Nome do you have to bring equipment with you for the trip?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 08:45

James B.

How fast does the Sikuliaq go?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 08:58

Michael M

Hi, Mrs. Seff. What types of organisms do you catch when you drag nets behind the ship?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 08:59

C.Campoverde

How big is the Research Vessel? Where do you sleep in the Research Vessel?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 09:00

Tifany G

About how many square feet was the ship you were staying on?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 09:09

Jake.K

Hey Mrs. SeffHow fast can the Research vessel go at its top speed?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 09:10

Nichole L

Could you name some of the equipment the research team used when they went out to sea?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 09:10

David Polkowski

Mrs. Seff when you are on the R/V, do you miss being on land or do you like being on a ship?

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