Dawn White: Almost Bon-voyage! June 14, 2017

NOAA Teacher at Sea

 Dawn White

Aboard NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker

June 19 – July 1, 2017

 

Mission: West Coast Sardine Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Pacific Ocean; U.S. West Coast

Date: June 14, 2017

Weather Data from the Bridge

I am still at home in North Branch, MN having just finished the school year as well as the graduation festivities for my youngest.  Whew!  The weather data from my bridge is as follows:

Date: June 14, 2017                                                         Wind Speed: NE 9 mph

Time: 3:45 p.m.                                                                Latitude: 45.5102° N

Temperature: 81^oF                                                          Longitude: 92.9931° W

Science and Technology Log

I obviously have nothing to add to the science log at this point, but having observed the blogs from those that have gone before me this season, I will have plenty to report on in the very near future!  I am excited for this fabulous learning opportunity and look forward to sharing all that I discover with those back at home and elsewhere!

 

Personal Log

I join the ranks of many of my fellow Teachers at Sea (TAS) when I say that being able to use my biology degree to get involved in actual field research has been on my “bucket list” for a long time.  I entered the field of teaching later in life and via other career paths, have been blessed to have used my degree in many ways – in the field of medicine, in pharmaceuticals, and now as a classroom teacher.  Along the way I grew to develop a passion for the field of environmental science and knowing that no one has taught this subject in our district for several years, took up the charge to design a course for the upcoming school year.  This idea had been developing for a while and without many funds available in our district for professional development in this content area I began to look for ways to get engaged in environmental programming that I could use directly in my classroom.   Through my initial research into this area, I uncovered this exciting TAS opportunity.  I hesitated to apply at first – this was going to be quite a challenge and way out of my comfort zone –  but isn’t that what I am always encouraging my students to do?  Step out of the box?  Our science department team attended the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) conference in Minneapolis last fall where I met a couple of team members from the NOAA Teachers at Sea program.  With several questions answered, I decided to apply and here I am – on my way in just a couple of days!  I thank my family and friends for their words of encouragement and support.  Here are the ones I want to thank the most:

 

Did You Know?

 I am already starting my vocabulary lists!  Stay tuned for terms like:

pyrosome

pelagic vs. non-pelagic

hydroscopy

otoliths

ichthyoplankton