Fog rolled over our second full day on the high seas, accompanied by 8-10 ft waves (and the occasional 12-footer). Today, however, the sea is calm and the sun has returned to view. Like true scientists, we are constantly learning not only about our own field, but about everything. From today’s peek at the engine […]
Our 3rd Day Out at Sea!
Our 3rd day out at sea! We are officially “boat people.” On Wednesday we waved goodbye to the Port of Seattle and the “landies” with our STEMSEAS hats in hand. Before we left we went on a tour of the Sikuliaq followed by a reception held by the University of Alaska to thank everyone that […]
Polar Bear Sighting
Several polar bears have been sighted on the SIKULIAQ. The first sighting of a polar bear was made in Seattle, Washington by STEMSEAS participants as they explored and settled on the ship. Students were in shock, and the polar bear sighting came as a surprise to advisors Dr. Jon Lewis, Dr. Kris Ludwig, and Dr. […]
First 24 Hours (Greg Austin)
I was able to arrive to Seattle on August 15th without any major issues. Even the passengers to my right (I was seated in the aisle) were rather amicable and easy going, fortunately. When I travel I prefer to not talk even if the conversation is riveting. Surprisingly, I found myself organizing and connecting with […]
What We’ve Been Up to Thus Far
Monday, August 15, 2016 – Arrival in Seattle, WA Ten undergraduates arrive from nine states to meet each other in person for the first time. Tuesday, August 16 – First Day and Night Aboard the SIKULIAQ Ice-breaking and overview of procedures with Mentor Karen Thomson Steele Reflection Activity with Karen Met captain and crew members […]
SIKULIAQ, Day 2: Pros and Cons
Pros: “Polar Bear” Hunting Hydrothermal Vent and Investigative Science Lecture in the Main Lab Talking to the Crew and Scientists on the Picnic Table Topside Pad Thai Dinner (complete with Dragon and Jack Fruit) in the Galley Monitoring Multi-Beam Sonar Survey of the Ocean floor from the Bridge and Computer Lab Cons: Watching ‘Frozen’ in the […]
Meet Bill Fanning – Science Tech
I was fortunate enough to speak with Bill Fanning, Ship’s Oceanographic Technician V, from the U.S. ENDEAVOR, who keeps all electronics up and running. It’s a job he fell into right after getting a Technical Engineering degree and he has been doing it ever since. His duties are not limited to monitoring all the ship’s […]
Meet Chris W.
Chris Wroblewski is an able bodied seaman (AB)/relief boatswain working aboard the R/V Endeavor. An AB is a deckhand. They do a lot of various tasks on board as well as stand watch in the wheel house. A boatswain is in charge of ship maintainence that does not fall under the purview of the engineers. […]
I saw the Milky Way for the first time
Seeing the Milky Way was one of my wishes since I was a child, but I didn’t have an opportunity to achieve that wish until I participated in STEMSEAS. I decided to wake up on July 16 at 5:00 AM. Dr. Stephen Pekar was really nice because he encouraged me and volunteered to woke up […]
Meet Dan!
This is Dan Alexander. He is one of the engineers that help run the R/V Endeavor. His official title is Port Engineer. He mainly works out of an office and then he gets to take 4 to 5 trips a year out on the ship. He fills in for any of the regular crew […]
