When Education is Memorable

People who may not be as engaged in what is happening may see the mud and rocks in the plastic vials and bags as trash

. It was in the Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica where these were found and they will surely keep the scientists very busy. Mud can be the source for a lot of information, as mentioned by a college senior. Funds were given by the National Science Foundation and so this college senior and other people selected from a university and college were able to explore Antarctica. What these schools normally engage in are research trips of all kinds.

Aboard a research vessel, the group left Punta Arenas Chile in early February. Where they went was somewhat uncultivated, the Larsen Ice Shelf, located on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Such a location has yet to be explored before they arrived. There was no rapid motion for the boat as they used sonar for the measurement of the ocean's depth. Every part of their exploits was videotaped by the students and researchers who also collected water and sediment samples from the deck. It will take a long time for all samples to be analyzed.

Considering modern global warming, they will be evaluating mud from its water content to the overall composition to make a possible correlation. From the students came the comment on how this is a rare opportunity. In general, a student says the trip is a chance to see how it really is. A native of Scotland, she plans to study global warming in graduate school. 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.

Overcoming the acute weather conditions in the Southern Hemisphere were these people. They compared it to Upstate New York. It was a cold day everyday and the sun rose at 430 am and set at 930 pm in the evening. Some pain may be encountered from the brightness when you look out the window. Even without much traces of civilization, science took over 24 seven. Designated shifts for the students were either midnight to noon or vice versa. Either students sleep on bunk beds during their time off or watch movies in the group lounge.

This did not defeat the rules students needed to follow. Should something serious occur, a senior must be told. Other than go to a newly found surface volcano, a senior student needed to go to an emperor penguin as well. It was said by this Dryden native that this was a great thing. You don't want to miss something. The best day of her life was when they explored Vega Island. When there are only about 10 people who have reached the location, it becomes an incredible feat.

Student on board missed five weeks of classes. The hectic schedules they were given plus the environmental safety conditions in their vessel prevented them from getting all of their schoolwork done. Because their ship was constantly moving it made it harder. There was not much communication allowed for the people back home. The students and faculty grew close to one another because of the common living spaces and the lack of distractions. There's no escaping, said one student. People grew close as a result of being in a deserted location with a harsh environment.

They brought the mud and rocks they collected back to the United States in coolers, carrying documents to explain the unique cargo to customs officials. There was a student with five film rolls and 323 digital pictures. For a student who was part of last year's exploration, it was simply better to experience the surroundings. She said that you need firsthand experience. There is a need to appreciate what your surroundings are offering.

When Education is Memorable

By: Duane Rivera

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