Aloha from Hawaii all of you JASON students and teachers,
Our adventures continue to be more exciting and rewarding as each day passes. Even though we are really tired, the energy level is high; and, the friendships we have made will last for years. Today was especially great for me because my school, Woolley Elementary in Las Vegas, Nevada, was in the audience. The production crew and Dr. Steve Mattox agreed to let me help with the lava crane activity because one of my students, Amanda Marshbanks, was operating it via satellite. Well, we were all set up and I was awaiting Steve to come over to my side of the lava crane when everyone started yelling that they had lost THE camera at the location -- battery failure. So, I thought to myself that if it happens that I could not be on the air for my school, then so be it. What could I (or anyone else) do about it anyway? It certainly was not intentional, that's for sure. Well, the production people started frantically trying to get the problem fixed, instead of just letting it go. And, guess what? THEY DID IT!! Yes, the problem was fixed in time for us to include the segment in the broadcast. I was thrilled! I was able to guide Amanda though the activity and greet my school, too. That was super! It was amazing to watch the technology and the way the JASON team worked together to solve the problem in the calmest and most efficient manner. Thanks.
Besides the lava crane, I was at two new stations for me today. After the early show at the lava field, I came to the biology station and worked with another Argonaut, LaQuen, with the Drosophilia flies. I was the one that captured the flies (on camera) and described what I was seeing. Their behavior was pretty active, and Dr. Kaneshiro was extremely easy to learn from; I learned about the different body movements and "songs" for the flies' courtship behavior, which varies due to the age of the different islands. The second station new to me today was at the astronomy area. This was great because Dr. Ballard came to this station to talk with us and Dr. Spencer, who is on Mauna Kea. Today was Dr. Spencer's birthday, and he received quite a present -- There was a massive eruption at an active volcano on Io, one of Jupiter's moons. We saw a picture of this on the monitor; it was huge! It took up a good one-fifth of Io. Spencer said this was the largest he had ever seen on Io!!
After the broadcast day was over, we found awaiting us more scientific discovery. The USGS took many of the students out in the fields for gas analysis and pH level readings at an active vent. The students really loved this, even though the temperature was quite hot and everyone was tired. Every time I asked a student or teacher how the excursion was, there was nothing but great things to say. So, thank you, USGS. You're cool!
Several of us joined Cheryl Tarr and Bobby Camara, a ranger with Volcano National Park, for a trip to Kipuka Puualu Bird Sanctuary/Nature Walkway. Translated, the name means "a place of change." It was very quiet, except for the singing of the birds, the temperature was cool (mist in the air at times), and the colors were shades of green -- from "light" to "forest". We walked on a pathway of volcanic ash and leaves, learning to identify many of the plants native to Hawaii. Not only did we use our sense of sight for observation, but Bobby skillfully guided us in smelling the different leaves for identification, feeling the leaves and barks to observe their texture, and, yes, we even tasted the nectar from the flower of an extremely rare tree -- the Hibiscadelphus (that's a mouthful). This particular tree is one of five of the species surviving in the world! I took many slides of different plants so that I could remember the experience -- it was so wonderful. Restful, peaceful, refreshing, and educational. This is what science is all about -- discovery.
I must get to bed. It's already 8:45 p.m. -- I know this sounds early to go to bed, but remember, we get up at 1:45 a.m. to get ready for our first broadcast. I'll write again tomorrow. Feel free to respond to me!!
Kathy Grimes, Teacher Argonaut
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Gene Carl
Feldman
(gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov)
(301) 286-9428
Todd Carlo Viola,
JASON Foundation for Education
(todd@jason.org)