Brenda Polhman

Greetings from the Mc Arthur II!!

I'm still here. It's been a few days since my last journal entry. My
routine has become established. Life on a ship form my perspective is
very relaxing and gives me time to be introspective. Time moves by very
quickly. I use my time after lunch exercising in the McArthur II Spa (
as Amy-teacher and I have named it). Then I try to spend a couple of
hours reading and working on lessons, using the data being collected to
be integrated through all the major academic domains.
Dinner is always at the same time and I'm always hungry. Then get ready
to help with the operations of the evening. My observing time has become
more interactive as I'm invited to assist with data collecting. I've
assisted with journal logging by addding notes and/or pictures to the
log that the scientists feel is pertinent to the area. Another job where
I've helped out is using a keyboard to punch in substrates and
organisms being observed. I also did a small portion of calling out
observations as someone else punched in data. The scientists are very
willing to share their expertise and welcome the assistance.
This is the last night of the camera operations and the side scan will
continue until the wee hours of Friday morning.
On Friday the scientists aboard will depart and another crew of
scientists will board for sediment collecting. So, more to come as
events on the McArthur II change.

Take Care,


Brenda Pohlman
Teacher at Sea