Tag: drifter

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Tonya Prentice: Sailing into New Horizons, August 26, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Tonya Prentice
Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
August 8 – August 24, 2024

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey 

Geographic Area of Cruise:  Northwest Atlantic Ocean

Date: September 20, 2024

Weather Data from Bass Harbor, Maine
Latitude: 44.253636º  N  
Longitude: 68.34944º W
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Air Temperature: 15° Celsius (59° F)


Science and Technology Log

Tremont Consolidated School’s Drifter Buoys: Exploring Ocean Data in Real-Time!

I was so thrilled to learn that Tremont Consolidated School (TCS) had been given two drifter buoys, allowing our students to participate in a cutting-edge, real-world scientific endeavor. Through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program, our students will track these buoys as they gather crucial data from the ocean. This is a hands-on, dynamic opportunity that infuses real-time ocean observing system data into our science curriculum! NOAA Adopt a Drifter Program

Track Tremont Consolidated School’s drifting buoys here:
https://adp.noaa.gov/trackadrifter/tremont-consolidated-school

a screenshot from the webpage for Tremont Consolidated School's drifting buoy. It lists the adoption date (August 9, 2024) and the ID number (WMO #5301664.) It displays the Drifter ID card, with info on where it was deployed, and shows a graph of temperature readings over time, and a small map of the trajectory.
View of the tracking webpage for Drifter #1

What’s a Drifting Buoy? A drifting buoy, also called a drifter, is a floating data collection device that travels with ocean currents. These drifters are equipped to record various ocean parameters such as sea surface temperature, salinity, and wave height, all while transmitting this data hourly via satellite. The buoys provide valuable insights into oceanic conditions that impact weather forecasts, climate models, and even search and rescue operations.

Why Deploy One? The data collected by drifters offers key information that supports a wide range of scientific and practical applications. This data helps scientists understand how the ocean circulates, predict the movement of marine debris or oil spills, and make better weather predictions. By tracking our adopted drifters, TCS students will gain firsthand experience in how this scientific data is used to analyze the ocean and its far-reaching impacts.

Bringing Science to Life for TCS Students At TCS, students in our science classes will be tracking and recording the drifter buoys’ locations and analyzing the data collected. They will plot coordinates on maps, explore ocean currents, and make connections between the data they collect and global environmental patterns. This interactive project brings abstract science concepts into a tangible experience, encouraging inquiry, problem-solving, and environmental stewardship.

Tonya, wearing bright orange overalls, a life vests, and a hard hat, poses for a photo with the drifting buoy. in this view we mostly see the drogue (folded up tail.) it's a beautiful day with bright blue skies and sparking ocean in the distance.
Me deploying the first drifter buoy.
close up view of the buoy: a round blue ball, with stickers reading TREMONT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL
Drifter Buoy #1
In front of the ship's railing, Tanya, left, looks down at the drogue (folded tail of the drifter) while David, right, holds the buoy section. They both wear life vests. It's a beautiful day, with blue skies and sparkling ocean.
David Richardson (right), NOAA Research Fishery Biologist, and me (left) deploying drifter buoy #2.
another view of the buoy portion of the drifter, which looks like a bright blue (hard plastic) ball. On this side we see a sticker
Drifter Buoy #2
Tanya, wearing orange overalls, a life vest, and her Teacher at Sea hat, lifts the buoy portion of the drifter up toward the rail. It looks heavy. Chris, at right, grips the folded drogue in his left and leans down to pick up cable on the deck with his right hand.
Chris Melrose (right), NOAA Research Oceanographer, and me (left) deploying drifter buoy #2.
Tonya, wearing orange overalls, a life vest, and her Teacher at Sea hat, stands at the railing facing the ocean. She holds the buoy portion of the drifter over the railing, preparing to deploy. Chris stands to her right with the folded drogue in his hands, ready to toss this in afterward.
Chris Melrose (right), NOAA Research Oceanographer, and me (left) deploying drifter buoy #2.

Personal Log

Sailing into New Horizons: A Farewell as a NOAA Teacher at Sea

As I sit here reflecting on my time aboard the NOAA research vessel, it’s hard to believe this chapter has come to an end. When I first applied to the NOAA Teacher at Sea program, I knew I would embark on a unique adventure, but I could never have imagined the profound impact this journey would have on me, both as an educator and as a person.

The early mornings watching the sunrise over the open ocean, the long hours of data collection, and the camaraderie of working alongside scientists and crew members—each moment has left an indelible mark. One of the highlights was observing the way oceanographic data is collected in real-time. Deploying CTDs, collecting plankton samples, and witnessing firsthand the vastness of our oceans reinforced the importance of understanding and protecting these ecosystems.

The lessons I’ve learned during this voyage are invaluable. I can’t wait to bring the excitement of real-world science into my classroom, showing my students that science isn’t just something they read about—it’s something they can experience. From tracking ocean currents to analyzing marine species, my students will have the opportunity to become oceanographers themselves, right in the classroom. I know the drifter buoy project, in particular, will captivate their imaginations.

This journey has rekindled my passion for inquiry-based learning and has reminded me that we, as educators, are lifelong learners. I’ve also come to understand the deep responsibility we have to educate the next generation about the importance of our oceans and the need for sustainable practices.

Of course, this experience would not have been possible without the incredible support of NOAA and the crew of the research vessel. Thank you to the scientists who patiently answered my endless questions and to the crew members who made me feel like part of the team. Your dedication to ocean science is inspiring.

As I sail back toward the shores of Maine, I’m filled with excitement for what lies ahead. I look forward to integrating what I’ve learned into my 7th and 8th-grade curriculum, empowering my students to become stewards of the environment. I also hope to encourage more teachers to take part in this incredible program.

Though this chapter is ending, I know it’s just the beginning of a deeper connection with the ocean and its mysteries. As Jacques Cousteau once said, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” And I, for one, am happily caught in that net.

Group photo on the aft deck of the ship. The A frame towers in the background. There are fifteen people in this photo. Tanya is in the center of the front row, wearing her Teacher at Sea shirt and hat.
The Henry B. Bigelow Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey Crew!

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Four people stand on the bridge of the ship. In the foreground, Tanya, wearing her Teacher at Sea hat, stands near the control panel and smiles for the photo, while Ensign Remigio stands nearby, looking down. Two other NOAA Corps officers stand at a different control panel in the background but face the camera.
ENS Danielle Remigio (left) teaching me how to drive the ship.
Tanya, wearing orange overalls and a life vest over her Teacher at Sea t-shirt, kneels on one knee near the end of the bongo net. She holds a hose nozzle in her right hand and sprays the net into a bucket. She looks up to smile for the camera.
Me spraying down the Bongo Nets.
Out on deck, Tanya wears a large, bright orange survival suit zipped up over her mouth and nose. She holds her hands out in a fun pose for the camera. In the background we see two other crewmembers working to don theirs.
Me trying on my cold water immersion suit.

In the computer lab, Chris and Tonya sit at a desk, both looking at the same computer screen. Tonya extends her right arm to write on a datasheet attached to a clipboard, while her left, resting below, holds an intercom microphone.
Chris Melrose (back), NOAA Research Oceanographer, and me (front) monitoring the CTD.
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Tonya Prentice: Introduction, August 2, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Tonya Prentice
Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
August 8 – August 24, 2024

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey 

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Date: August 2, 2024

Weather Data from Southwest Harbor, Maine
Latitude: 44.2805 º  N  
Longitude: -68.326º W
Wind Speed: WSW at 11 mph
Air Temperature: 18.89° Celsius (66° F)

Introduction

Hello, my name is Tonya Prentice. I am so excited to begin my adventure aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow for the NOAA Teacher at Sea 2024 Season. I teach middle school science for grades 5-8 on Mount Desert Island, Maine, at Tremont Consolidated School in Bass Harbor. This is my 17th year of teaching, and I am passionate about engaging my students with project-based learning, community service opportunities, and STEM activities.

In my role as an educator, I strive to create engaging and interdisciplinary learning experiences for my students with a focus on ocean literacy. My students are the next generation of environmental stewards. They live on an island, and many of their families are lobstermen and/or fishermen who rely on the health of the ocean. We are fortunate that our school is located in a beautiful area that borders Acadia National Park and is across the street from Bass Harbor. This allows me to take my students hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and exploring the ecosystems all around us.

The health of our ecosystems may be altered in different ways by human impact. It’s vital that my students understand how climate change and coastal flooding may impact their lives in the future. As a NOAA Teacher at Sea, I am excited to bring real-world scientific research into my classroom and inspire my students with firsthand experiences. I look forward to sharing my adventures and discoveries with you, and I hope to ignite a passion for marine science and environmental stewardship in both my students and readers.

Stay tuned for updates from the sea!

A woman and a man pose for a selfie on a kayak in front of glassy water reflecting a lovely sunset. They are wearing sweaters, life vests, beanies, and sunglasses.
Tonya Prentice (right)
six students (with their backpacks) sit in a line, facing away from the camera, on top a large round rock overlooking a small inlet surrounded by forested hills; small islets are visible beyond.
Top of Bubble Rock
view of at least four harbor seals basking on rocks in bright blue ocean water; in the distance we see a farther shoreline and mountains.
Harbor seals
Three people lean over clumps of seagrasses in a tide pool area. They have placed a one meter square of PVC pipe down on the grasses. Two of them use a measuring tape while another picks through the grass. A purple sample bucket with a plastic bag and laminated identification sheets sits off to the side. The people wear high-visibility vests.
Green crab research
three people kayak toward a tree-lined coastline, their backs to the camera. they wear life vests. the water is calm beneath a blue sky.
Kayaking in the salt marsh
view from the ocean of a lighthouse perched on the rocky cliffs of an island coastline. The light itself is painted white, with a black top, and nearby are a few additional buildings that are white with red roofs. The cluster of buildings is surrounded by tall conifers. The sky is blue with a few fluffy white clouds.
Bass Harbor Head Light Station


Science and Technology Log

Next week, I will board the 209 ft. NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow in Newport, Rhode Island.

“The ship is named after Henry Bryant Bigelow (1879-1967), an oceanographer, zoologist, and marine biologist whose work helped establish oceanography as a scientific discipline.” (NOAA OMAO.)

NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow “is a fisheries survey vessel built specifically for NOAA to support the study and monitoring of marine fisheries and marine mammals.” (NOAA Ocean Exploration.) The ship conducts both acoustic and trawl surveys and has a wet lab where scientists can collect data about the different species of fish caught.

While aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow, I will have the opportunity to deploy a drifting buoy (also known as a drifter) as part of NOAA’s Adopt-a-Drifter Program. The buoy will collect data such as sea surface temperature, salinity, and ocean currents. This data will then be transmitted hourly to orbiting satellites which my students will be able to monitor.

aerial view of NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow underway, as seen from the portside. it's a large white ship with the NOAA logo next to the identifiers NOAA R 225. the surrounding water is so dark it appears black.
Aerial view of NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. Photo credit: NOAA.

Personal Log

Last week, I attended the University of Maine’s RiSE Coastal TRACERS training.

“The University of Maine-based RiSE Center supports middle and high school students in real-world science research projects, including coastal monitoring and tracking the changes in local ocean water properties, as well as engaging in the design and construction of the sensor units used to collect this data.” (UMaine.)

As part of my training, I toured the “Buoy Barn” at the University of Maine Ocean Observing System (UMOOS). Dr. Neal Pettigrew, professor of oceanography, led the tour while explaining how these moored buoys in the Gulf of Maine help collect data and information about ocean temperatures, salinities, dissolved oxygen, wave heights and periods, and current profiles.  “The buoys, designed, fabricated and maintained by Dr. Pettigrew’s team of oceanographers, engineers, computer programmers and research associates, have been transmitting real-time data since 2001.”  Such amazing work is happening at the University of Maine!

Two large buoys in a storage shed. They are wide and round at the bottom, to float in the ocean, and towers of sensors and equipment extend upward from each base. The buoys are painted mostly yellow, with blue bottoms and blue lettering: the left buoy reads NOAA and the right reads UPRM.
Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) Data Buoys
a large buoy in a storage shed (flanked by other buoys and equipment, only partially visible.) It are wide and round at the bottom, to float in the ocean, and towers of sensors and equipment extend upward from the base. The buoy is painted mostly yellow, with blue bottom and blue lettering: the buoy reads NOAA 41052. The word CariCOOS is visible in smaller letters on the tower portion.
Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) Data Buoy
this vessel looks like a small sailboat, one too small to fit people. in fact, the hull is covered completely (no room for seating) and dotted with solar panels. The hull is red, and the sails are white and orange. It's inside a storage shed, and ocean buoys are partially visible behind it.
Navocean
Automated Surface Vessel
ocean monitoring equipment in a storage shed; this glider is shaped a bit like a small airplane (aerodynamic body, wings, tail.) It's stored on a small trailer or cart with wheels, on top of a bench.
Slocum Electric Glider
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Nancy Lewis, September 20, 2003

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Nancy Lewis
Onboard NOAA Ship Ka’imimoana
September 15 – 27, 2003

Mission: Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO)/TRITON
Geographical Area: Western Pacific
Date: September 20, 2003

9/19/03:

2015  Deep CTD

9/20/03:

0100:  pH Profiler

0800:  Deploy CO2 Buoy

1600:  .5 N CTD

2000:  1 N CTD and SOLO

Weather  Observation Log:  0100

Latitude: 0 degrees, 1.9′ S
Longitude:  139 degrees,  49.7 W
Visibility:  12 nautical miles (nm)
Wind direction:  120 degrees
Wind speed:  15 knots
Sea wave height:  3-5 feet
Swell wave height:  4-6 feet
Sea water temperature:  26.1 degrees C
Sea level pressure:  1-12.0 mb
Dry bulb pressure:  26.3 degrees C
Wet bulb pressure:  24.0 degrees C
Cloud cover:  48 Cumulus, altocumulus, cirrus

 

Science and Technology Log

Last evening  there was a deep cast of the CTD to a depth of 4000 meters.  Tom Nolan and I packed lots of styrofoam cups  that had been decorated by students in mesh bags, as well as several foam wig heads that had been artistically painted by Kamaka.  These bags we attached to the CTD.   The idea was to see what would happen to these cups when subjected to the pressures of the ocean at that extreme depth.  The effect was quite interesting. The cups were scrunched, the heads shrunken, but all in perfect  proportion.   As you can see from the Plan of the Day, 2 other CTD casts were done today, both at the regular 1000 foot depth.

The pH Profiler is a prototype instrument designed and being tested here by scientists from the University of South Florida, Renate Bernstein and Xuewu (Sherwood) Liu.  The purpose of their work is the development of precise, accurate, simple, robust and inexpensive CO2-system measurement procedures for use in global CO2 investigations on NOAA vessels.    What they are trying to do is to assess the accuracy, precision and overall performance of the University of South Florida systems compared to the systems used by NOAA over the past 15 years.  From what I have gathered so far in talking to these scientists,  they are not happy about the performance of their instrument.

Let me address the question of AOML drifters.  AOML stands for Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, and these are surface drifting buoys which are deployed by simply tossing them off the fantail of the ship.  They are tracked by the Argos satellite and provide SST (Sea Surface Temperature) and mixed layer current information.  There is a global array of these drifters and they provide ground truth for NOAA’s polar orbiting satellite AVHRR SST maps.  Please email Craig Engler@noaa.gov or check out http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/ for more information concerning the AOML drifters.

Lewis 9-20-03 drifter buoy
AOML drifters buoys are deployed by simply tossing them off the fantail of the ship.

Personal Log

Before leaving Hawaii, I told all my students that it was going to be extremely hot and humid here at the equator.  Surprisingly enough for me, that has not been the case at all.  It  has been actually quite pleasant outside, and of course, there is always a sea breeze blowing.  Inside the ship is sometimes like an icebox, especially in the computer lab which is kept at 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ship’s doctor, Michelle Pelkey, affectionately known as “Doc” runs the ship’s store every evening from 0730 to 0800.  Already I have bought a T-shirt and Aloha shirt emblazoned with the NOAA insignia and KA’IMIMOANA.   They also sell soft drinks, popcorn, hats and other sundry items.

Doc is also the ship’s recreation director, and has pressed everyone to sign up for tournaments in cribbage, darts, Scrabble, and a card game called Sequence.

My evening tonight was spent doing a CTD cast from start to finish with Tom, my colleague from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  Tom has written down every step of the procedure, and we were editing  his instructions during the entire procedure. Randy must have had a lot of faith in us, because we did the whole CTD cast without his help.  The last thing to do on the CTD cast is to hose off the rosette, and I got soaked in the process.  Looks like it is a good time to call it a day!
Question of the Day:

What event occurs this year on September 23rd and what is its significance?

Until tomorrow,

Nancy Lewis