Educational Activities

E-mail Responses
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9-4-03

Mrs. Holland’s 7th Grade Class
Inola, Oklahoma
Question 1:
How far were you from the recent hurricane?

Answer:
We have been very lucky with the recent storms. The one that hit Bermuda over the weekend was not in the Pacific Ocean, so it did not affect us at all. A storm did hit Southern California last week, but fortunately we were too far north to feel any effects. We have had a few light sprinkles and have had many days with partly cloudy skies.

Question 2:
We are learning about the kingdom protista and wonder if you have found any diatoms in your research? Have you found any new species?

Answer:
We aren’t looking for new species of diatoms, but rhizosolenia, the organism of interest, is a diatom that we have worked with extensively. Also, we have seen many pyrocists and ethmodiscus. See the audio clip titled, “Tiny Things in a Huge Ocean” on the STEAMER website for more information.

Louie
Ms. Carmona’s 5th Grade Science Class
Bryan Elementary
Mission, Texas
Question 3:
What part of your research has been the most fun?

Answer:
My part is curating and preparing the rhizosolenia to take back to the laboratory at Port Aransas, Texas. I’ve enjoyed seeing how many different shapes the rhizosolenia mats make. No two are exactly alike. For pictures of the rhizosolenia, see the audio clip “The capture of Rhizosolenia Mats”. I’ve really enjoyed observing the numerous tiny animals that we have seen during this research.

Melinda and Jacob
Ms. Carmona’s 5ht Grade Science Class
Mission, Texas
Question 4:
How is your research going?

Answer:
So far everything is going very well. We have collected a lot of data, and we will stop at the 16th location or research station today. Overall, the chief scientist thinks our expedition has been very successful. Once we get the samples back to Texas, more laboratory work will be done, and then the chief scientist will do a final analysis. It’s the analysis that will determine how well the research has gone. We are all hoping for the best!

Dru
Ms. Carmona’s 5th Grade Science Class
Bryan Elementary
Mission, Texas
Question 5:
Do you like to get e-mails from us?

Answer:
We love getting e-mails from you guys! A few days last week we did not receive our batch of e-mails because the man that puts everything on the web site, Luis, was out of town on business. The other teachers and myself, really missed not having a daily supply of questions from students. The whole crew asks when and what questions have come in for the day, including the captain. Keep your questions coming…we all love them.

Ms. Robles’ 6th Grade Science Class
Bryan Elementary
Mission, Texas
Question 6:
Has what you learned been educational so far?

Answer:
Definitely. Everyday I am learning something new out here. It’s like taking a science class, but I am learning at sea. It’s really fun to get to see the different animals in their natural environments.

Question 7:
Are you ready to come back home?

Answer:
I am ready to come back home. Out of the four teachers, I am the only one that has children. Although my children are older than you, I still miss not being around them. My husband will meet me when we get back to port in Honolulu, and that will be very nice. I love the time out here, but missing my family has been difficult for me.

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