Journal Entry # 1

September 24 - October 2

Summary: Predeployment preparation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD

       I know you're reading my journal in order to hear all about exciting Antarctic adventures, with tales of penguins and cold weather.  Every adventure has to start some where, mine started in La Jolla, California (right next to San Diego) at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It's a little ironic that my Antarctic staging ground is a land of beaches and light warm breezes, but never the less, this week has been invaluable in preparing for the upcoming six months.  For the past nine days, Karen Baker, information manager, and Charleen Johnson, logistics coordinator for the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) team have graciously invited me into their office and lab, providing me a home base in San Diego and making me part of their education and outreach programs.

     EDUCATION LINK: /education
     OUTREACH LINK: /biblio/2001/01NetNews_outreach/text.doc

       One of the accomplishments this week was the beginnings of this online journal.  Before creating anything for the web, I first needed to learn about tools and procedures.  I was able to visit Jason Wiskerchen in the multimedia education group at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC).  He taught me some Web Design 101 and gave me pointers that are proving invaluable.  My initial basic tools are Netscape Navigator Composer  for creating online documents, Adopbe Photoshop for handling images and Leech FTP for uploading files created locally on my laptop to the central LTER web site location.  I also installed a USB compactflash card reader to easily acquire digital images from a digital camera.  For practice this week I used the LTER's Nikon Coolpix 990 camera, but I'll be taking a Canon Powershot S300 to the ice with me.  Once the structure of my journal was designed, it was published from the Palmer LTER web site. 
       In addition to working at SIO on my own project, I was able to contribute to the LTER by creating some outreach materials, beginning an  education collection inventory and documenting my procedures.  Since all this work was right here on the SIO property, I met a variety of scientists and researchers, some of whom I may see again in Antarctica.  They were all patient in answering my questions about everything from the continent to their specific discipline and project.
       Of course my time wasn't completely consumed staring at computer screens all day and talking to scientists. I did get a chance to visit the Birch Aquarium where I got an awesome behind the scene tour with the Outreach Coordinator Cheryl Peach and Aquarist Mark Ball.  I also got a chance to attend San Diego University City's Troop 271's weekly boy scout meeting to talk about my upcoming trip as well as the Antarctic Scout application process.
      This week was a lot of hard work, but it was a blast.  I had a chance to learn about Antarctic projects, the LTER, UCSD and SIO, and the marine sciences.  I also learned that preparing for a future career in science is not a linear process but instead a process of gathering experience with tools and gaining exposure to a variety of backgrounds in order to be prepared for the field you ultimately end up working in.  I wish I had more time to spend here, but I don't think I am going to put off my trip to Antarctica.  My next journal entry will be from somewhere closer to the ice.