The time is approaching and things seem to be moving fairly quickly now. This expedition has had many “holds” or delays…the latest uncertainty involved the possible use of our ship “the HEALY” to complete the Antarctica breakout. This is typically done by the ODEN, a Swedish Icebreaker. This year the break-out work has been contracted to be completed by a Russian Icebreaker, the “Vladimir Ignatyuk”. The HEALY remains on schedule for our Winter Sampling expedition!
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I will be very busy over the next 57 days preparing for my departure…I will plan for the expedition, my classroom and my family.
My researcher, Carin Ashjian, Biological Oceanographer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, just emailed me a packet of information listing important dates, action items, general information, etc. Right now, I am in “list making mode”. Once I have the list, I hope to cross one thing off each day! On the docket for this week is completing my Medical Form and getting a tetanus shot!
My classroom…this year, I am teaching 5 classes of “Physical Science” and 2 classes of “Science in Ohio”. I am going to prepare detailed plans for the teacher who will replace me while I am out as well as plans to integrate this Arctic expedition into my curriculum for the 31 school days that I am gone.
My family…it will take some planning to ensure that my family can handle 6 weeks with me being gone – cheerleading practice, competitions, my dog, Thanksgiving dinner, etc. I am certain they will do just fine! This is a picture from a recent Family camping trip.
My family...
So..back to the main event – the expedition…During the expedition, our team plans to collect some of the first winter information ever collected on the biology, chemistry, and physical oceanography of the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. In particular, we will be studying a very small crustacean called a copepod. Copepods make up the base of the ocean food chain. In addition to studying the ecology, scientists will be onboard looking at chlorophyll, marine mammals, and birds. Data collected during the cruise will be used to predict the future impacts of climate change on the oceans.
New Vocabulary
Copepod: Co·pe·pod n (Kope = Greek for "oar" Podos = Greek for "foot"). Hence Copepod = oar-footed, referring to the pair of swimming legs on the same somite that are moved together, like the oars of a sculling shell.
Please stay tuned to this journal as prepare to embark on this very exciting expedition! Until then…
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mohandas Gandhi