NOAA Teacher at Sea
Chris Henricksen
Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
April 29–May 10, 2014
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to not only return to sea for the first time in twenty years, but to do so as part of a scientific research team. With two days remaining before I fly to meet the NOAA ship Henry B. Bigelow in Providence, RI, I am busily packing and checking over my to-do lists. My fifth grade students at Mark Twain Elementary in Westerville, OH gave me a heart-warming send-off, as did my colleagues. I look forward to sharing this experience with them.
My family and I live in Mount Vernon, OH, a small town about an hour northeast of Columbus.
I enjoy reading (favorite authors include Patrick O’Brian, Cormac McCarthy, John Steinbeck, and George R.R. Martin), running, photography, and playing guitar. My wife, Amy, works for the Philander Chase Corporation at Kenyon College in Gambier. My daughter is in fifth grade, and is both an avid reader and an athlete, participating in competitive gymnastics and softball. She plays the piano, and has chosen the viola as her instrument for middle school orchestra. My son is in kindergarten, loves books and anything related to dinosaurs and Mario Brothers. He also enjoys soccer and banging away on his drum set.
As a member of the 2014 Teacher at Sea field season, I am honored and excited to work with scientists and maritime professionals in their effort to survey marine species indigenous to the Gulf of Maine fisheries. Having taught science to fifth graders for the past seven years, I feel that this experience will be invaluable in helping me understand how scientists actually engage in their work, knowledge that I will put to good in use upon returning to my classroom. I can hardly wait to get underway!
Hey Fellow fifth grade teacher- good to know there are a few elementary teachers out there.
My name is Dave, i head out on 5/7 – on a mapping cruise. A bit apprehensive about all the work in the next week but it will all get done.
Great blog.
Ahoy, from MArk Twain. We are just getting ready to head out to recess. We all miss you and hope you are having a blast and learning a ton!
Great pictures!! Looks like you are having an amazing time.