Since boarding the R/V Thomas G. Thompson, I have been thinking a lot about location: When will we pass Cape Flattery? Will we avoid a low-pressure system? Will we avoid a second low-pressure system? Where is the edge of the California Current? When will we start seeing light from Hawaii on the horizon? At some […]
On expertise (or the lack thereof) and the Glacial geology of Discovery Park, Seattle
[Cross-posted at Mountain Beltway] Prior to embarking on the R/V Thompson for the inaugural STEMseas2YC oceanographic transit, a group of my fellow two-year-college STEM faculty and I set out on a geological field trip. Seattle is glaciated territory, and the majority of the ground is underlain by glacial sediments of one sort or another. There’s […]
Near-empty seas, near-empty air
[cross-posted at Mountain Beltway] I had one of my students ask me this morning about what was the most interesting thing I’ve learned on this expedition. This is my first time going to sea out in the open ocean, out into the High Seas. All my previous time aboard oceangoing vessels was in the coastal […]
Whimsical Dolphin Musings
Humans on Dolphins In the Pacific’s expanse so wide, Where dolphins danced with grace and pride, I watched them leap and heard their songs, Wondering if they knew where I belong. Did they, those dolphins, in the sea, Feel a connection, just like me? Did their hearts, like mine, hold true, Across the waves, in […]
Being a student again
By Sheldon Turner, Triton College One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about STEMSEAS so far is that I get to be in the shoes of a student again, learning things I never knew about oceanography as a discipline and as a career. While everyone on board is a lifelong learner, I think it is […]
What time is it?
by Tess Weathers, Chabot College The R/V Thompson has effectively become a time machine: we are moving back in time through two time zones as we travel from Seattle to Hawaii, plus we are experiencing the human-created phenomenon of Daylight Savings. At 2:00 am (02:00), on the morning of November 5th, many states in the […]
The seas are 8-10 ft.?!? Why did I come out to sea, again?
Ever since we crossed into the Pacific out of the San Juan Strait the stormy seas have continuously rocked, rolled, and tossed the R/V Thompson. Everyone on board has been supportive of those who have felt the effects of what seemingly feels like a bath toy handled by a toddler. I have been lucky to […]
Two-year college science educators set sail on inaugural community-college-focused STEMSEAS cruise
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Student Experiences Aboard Ships (STEMSEAS) is a multiyear project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF Grants 1701174 and 1701168) to provide students with inspirational opportunities to experience life on an oceanic research vessel. STEMSEAS leverages research vessel “transits” (voyages where the vessel is moving between scientific expeditions in different […]
Hawai’i Skies
By Mya Van Slyke I am so grateful to STEMSEAS as it has given me the most in-depth science/oceanic experience I have ever been a part of. I was learning the ways of the ship, helping with CTD casts, and I even got to move an arm of the ship’s ROV! On top of the […]
Chocolate Cake
By Makenzy Tamura Leaving land for ten days my major concern was, “What am I going to be consuming?” I am a natural-born “foodie,” and I love to eat a lot of food during the day. Being born and raised on Oʻahu in Ewa Beach, I always was able to eat at the places I […]
