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Journals 2004/2005

Laurelynn Brooks
Mount Vernon High School, Mount Vernon, Washington

"Investigating the link between alkenones and sea surface temperature"
R/V New Horizon
July 5-23, 2004		 Journal Index:
July 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12

      13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19

      20 - 21 - 22 - 23

I thank the National Science Foundation for providing opportunities for teachers to get first-hand experiences in field and laboratory scientific research. The ARMADA Project Staff at the University of Rhode Island's Office of Marine Programs offered training for, and placement on, a scientific research cruise. I thank the scientific teams and New Horizon's crew for allowing me to experience life and work on a research ship. I am thankful for all the questions from my students, family and friends that inspire me to be a teacher. I deeply appreciate all the help I received in preparing my journal: the editing from Ann and Lynn Emerson, Ida Royer and Jack Neace, and the photographic and technical support from New Horizon's Chief Engineer, Ron Wheatley.

July 5, 2004
New Horizons

After a week of our Mentoring Training at the University of Rhode Island, our "ARMADA" of twelve science teachers is excited to set sail on our various marine adventures. In fact, Katie is already in the Bering Sea studying the population structure of humpback whales. Although my August Sargasso Sea adventure still seems a long time away, I am eagerly researching "Mesoscale Eddies". Then we get the news that my Bermuda cruise is cancelled because the R/V Oceanus needs ballast certification. I remember how my second grade students were worried about me going to "The Bermuda Triangle" and can't help smiling through my disappointment. "Something more interesting is on your horizon, so be patient," Leesa consoles me.

Within a week of leaving Rhode Island and at the eleventh hour before the Prahl Cruise departs, I connect to a research adventure to the Gulf of California! With just enough time to get a home for my dog, an interview at a local high school, digital camera, sun shirt and Steinbeck's The Log from the Sea of Cortez, I am snapping photos of Mt St. Helens from the window of the 757 to San Diego. My host chief scientist, Dr. Fred Prahl from Oregon State University, Ida Royer, his graduate assistant and I arrive a day early to help load the ship. When we heft our three duffels and two laptops, I silently wonder just how long loading should take. Our science "party" forms over pizza and conversation with the University of Hawaii team: Dr. Brian Popp, Richard Wallingford and Terri Rust and Italian scientist Biancha de Bernardi (she brought her microscope!) We talk and laugh with no mention of our big loading day!



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