June 22, 2006
Got kicked off the Internet last night, so this is what we did yesterday - Wednesday, June 21st.
We started the Summer Solstice rocking and rolling to some mighty large waves. A few of us didn’t fare very well even with medication. Everyone hung in there though. Check out this article about the weather we were experiencing.
As we left Huron Harbor, we travelled through some of that torrential rain while watching the four lift bridges open to let us through. We also saw the freighter Stephania I pass by.
Helen Domske gave a presentation on Lake Erie in the galley. As you can see by the photo, keeping a steady hand was quite difficult.
I’m having a difficult time with posting to this website (keep losing information), so addiotional photos will be posted later…
June 20, 2006
Mayfly Madness! Hexagenia limbata and Hexagenia rigida. The emergence was upon us. We woke up to mayflies everywhere! To get a good look, click on the photo to the left. Yep, that’s me - your friendly Lake Guardian blogger (I’m pointing at the mayflies on my shirt and nothing else ;)
Lake Guardian Haiku
by Lou, Ohio Great Lakes Educator
Midges and Mayflies
Mussels and Quagga compete
Lake Erie sighs
Water samples were tested using a conductivity meter, pH meter,alkalinity titration, and turbidity meter.
Bottom sample results were:
conductivity - 286.9 umhos/cm (water was heated to 25 degrees Celsius.
alkalinity - 84 mg/L
pH - 8.5
turbidity - 6.65 NTU
Anne Danielski demonstrates how to tie knots on the O2 deck.
“Good Food, Good Fellowship, Good Sites with Good Sights!” – Carla, Ohio Teacher
Educators take time to be creative and express themselves and what they have learned by decorating canvas flags that they will be able to share at the end of the week.
We did get to visit the FT Stone Laboratory last night. After a tour of the grounds and computer lab, Dr. Larry Krissek gave a presentation on Great Lakes Geology.
The stunning sunset photographed from the water taxi back to Put-In-Bay from Gibralter Island where the FT Stone Laboratory is located. The storm passed!!! After getting back to Put-In-Bay, everyone had time to explore the town or do their own thing - what happens in Put-In-Bay, stays in Put-In-Bay! kidding :)
June 19, 2006
Attack of the Gumbies! Seriously - safety first. Everyone had to learn how to put on their Immersion Suit (affectionately referred to as a “Gumby Suit”) on the O2 deck.
Hands-On Real Science - Everyone was able to participate in the water sampling this morning. Techniques used were the Rosette Sampler (conductivity, temperature, chlorphyll, and dissolved oxygen), Box Core Sampler, Ponar Grab, and Plankton Net.
Activities from Ohio Sea Grant’s Life in the Great Lakes were explored in the Galley. How well do you know the Great Lakes? That’s the name of the activity, but also a question for all of us to think about.
In the labs on the ship, everyone was able to study the zooplankton and phytoplankton under microscopes. Species that were identified include: Chironomids, Rotifers, Zebra Mussel Veligers, and many others!
We arrived at Put-In-Bay and headed into town around 2:30, but had to head back to the ship by 3:15 due to a freak storm. It was sunny when we arrived. Trawling was cancelled, but we’re still planning on taking a water taxi to FT Stone Laboratory (the oldest fresh water laboratory in the United States) after dinner. We tried to take the elevator up to the top of Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, but they closed it just as we arrived due to the storm.
June 18, 2006
Course participants received a guided tour of the Steamship William G. Mather. Our excellent tour guide Molly explained to this group how the engine room works.
“I’m excited to be a part of authentic research” - Sheila, Ohio teacher
Dr. Rosanne Fortner gives an overview of the course over lunch at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, OH.
