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It was yet another day filled with inspiring presentations and fun learning activities. Drs. Jon Lewis and Lisa White shared on their career paths into Geosciences after we had breakfast. In his work at Costa Rica, Jon explained plate tectonics using the faults of Costa Rica’s Northwest region. Dr. Lisa White’s love for photography and landscapes introduced her to geology. She is currently the director of education and outreach at UC museum of paleontology. She later led us into the fun world of fossils. We were reminded that fossils were not always that of dinosaurs. Later in the afternoon, Dr. Shondrika Burrell of Morgan State University shared her work infusing geoscience into teacher education while Dr. Dawn Lewis of Florida A&M University explained how bauxite mining impacted the microbiology and biogeochemistry of soils if they are not reclaimed.
Today was my first weekend on board a ship. The feel of the ship has gotten better, and I am always happy to catch the sun early in the morning or before it sets each day. With some luck and patience, you will find some dolphins swim by too. I couldn’t get pictures, but Madison shared her video with the group. The meals have been great and the small discussions in between sessions have been insightful. I am looking forward to sharing all these fun information and opportunities with my students when I get back home.
Emmanuel Atta-Obeng, Phd.
