Life on board the R/V Endeavor

Comfortable!  Snug!  Practical!  Determined!  Focused!  So many words to describe life on board this magnificent ship.  This 40 year old, 185 ' ship, owned by the National Science Foundation, and operated by the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island, allows for scientists from around the country to conduct experiments in the Atlantic Ocean.  I found my berth to be quite cozy with a shared bunk and a private toilet and shower.  The galley created meals fit for a king, with a lounge equipped with an extensive library and video library.  The main lab provided a focal point for scientists to congregate and work.  Two additional lab spaces enabled scientists to work without tripping over each other.  Rounding out this well-equipped ship was a highly trained crew of 12.

The Main Lab

Science at Night

I knew in advance that we would be assisting the 5 scientists on board, but I was not prepared for the amount of work that had to be done at night.  The old adage of "time is money" held true on this journey because we did not have the luxury to wait until daylight to complete the many experiments and tasks that had been planned for this voyage.  Our first night we spent attaching fish tags to a mooring that was dropped off the fantail at about 2:00 am.  I sneaked in a few hours of sleep but my bleary eyes were still in awe of all the activity and science that happened the first night and each night after.

Food! Glorious, Food!

 Breakfast!  Every morning we are greeted with a delicious assortment of food.  The chef will make eggs to order and fresh fruit smoothies.

Dinner has been out of this world.  We were served surf 'n turf the first night-- what could be better?

Traveling to Georges Bank

It's been smooth sailing for the past two days as we made our way to Georges Bank and began the many scientific tasks planned for this outing.  I boarded the R/V Endeavor at the Bay Campus early Thursday morning and we left promptly at 9:00 am.

The seas have been calm and the sun has been shining.  The many scientists and grad students have been keeping the 4 classroom teachers on board busy with soundings, pongs, and XBT's (expendable bathythermogrpah).  We lowered a CTD (conductivity thermal depth) device in order to take thousands of pictures of phytoplankton and zooplankton.  In the middle of the night, we lowered newly designed sensors into the water to be tested and monitored.  It's amazing to see all the work that happens "after" hours on this ship.

Traveling Back in Time -- just around the corner from home!

Davisville Middle School students experienced a BEAUTIFUL day at the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum this past week.  Students learned about the Rhode Island slave experience while at the same time they explored their own identity by creating self-portraits.  This museum houses the first snuff mill in the colonies.  Students learned about the history of snuff along with the dangers of snuff -- 60 cigarettes equals one tin of snuff!!
An amazing day thanks to the Museum staff and my colleagues.  I am proud to have introduced 85 students to this North Kingstown gem-- the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum!