When Students Like Working
October 9th, 2010 by Fred Collins, under Vacation Destinations. No Comments
Much value can only be given to what is inside the plastic vials and bags by someone who has been intensively trained. Time cannot be wasted when it comes to these samples from the Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica and the scientists will be busy. Mud can be the source for a lot of information, as mentioned by a college senior. A one month trip to Antarctica was funded by the National Science Foundation and the participants, including this college senior, belonged to the chosen university and college group. Traveling for research is occasionally done by these schools.
The starting point for the group that used a research vessel was Punta Arenas Chile in early February. On the east of the Antarctic Peninsula was the Larsen Ice Shelf where they went to which was unknown territory. Actually, they became the first group of explorers to go there. There was no rapid motion for the boat as they used sonar for the measurement of the ocean’s depth. It was from the deck where the students and researchers gathered water and sediment samples and video footage. It may take decades before all the samples are analyzed.
They will analyze the mud from its water content to its composition and from this they will be able to determine its association with global warming. This has been a rare opportunity for the students. The trip allows you to really experience things firsthand, says a student. Planning to study about global warming in graduate school, this student is a native of Scotland. Not minding spending the rest of her life on a ship is one more student who will be studying at the school of Oceanography in one university next year.
Taking note of how intense the Southern Hemisphere weather conditions are, the group coped well. Somewhat similar was Upstate New York. There is nothing more extreme, including cold days, than sunrise at 430 am setting at 930 pm. Difficulty can be experienced with the brightness when you look out the window. Civilization may be lacking but that did not prevent science 24 seven. Designated shifts for the students were either midnight to noon or vice versa. There were bunk beds for the students to sleep on and a group lounge for them to watch movies in.
Still there were a series of rules to follow. If something big happens, wake the rest of the seniors. There was a time when a senior student had to visit an emperor penguin after checking out a surface volcano. It was said by this Dryden native that this was a great thing. There is nothing you’d want to miss. Her memorable experience was when they went to Vega Island. It was unbelievable for her to be in a place that only a few people, about 10, were able to go to.
Student on board missed five weeks of classes. Schoolwork was not given much priority for they had busy schedules all throughout the trip and there were environmental hazards associated with their vessel. When their ship is always on the go they face more difficulty. Another issue pertains to the limited contact with home. As a result of close quarters and having fewer distractions the students and faculty were actually brought together. For one student any escape effort was futile. They grew close due to the deserted location and of course the hard environment.
Not only were accompanying paperwork prepared for the customs officials but every kind of specimen they brought home to the United States was placed inside coolers. For a student it was also necessary to bring 323 digital pictures and five rolls of film. It was the decision of one student who joined the previous exploration to simply experience the surroundings. You have to live the experience. When it comes to your surroundings, you should be able to recognize things.
If you want more comprehensive info on holidays to the arctic that site will help you. If you are looking for more information on artic cruise make sure to visit their website.
