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Junior Scientists' Daily Tasks

School Pupils' Proposed Daily Tasks from 29 May to 22 June

1^st Day onboard Polarstern:

1. Checking-in into cabins
2. Trying-on official AWI Polarstern work-clothes
3. Meet the other school pupils
4. Briefing by HERMES WP10 coordinators and a tour of Polarstern
5. Making work-plans, etc
6. Briefing by Chief Scientist

Every morning, there will be a meeting with the HERMES WP10 coordinators where the pupils' tasks for that particular day are set.

Each day, the pupils' tasks will differ. Generally, the pupils will perform a combination of tasks such as A) assisting scientists onboard Polarstern, B) performing their own experiments/research (with supervision), and C) outreach activities:

(A) Assisting the scientists:

The pupils will be assisting the scientists in some of the research work done. This work is similar to that done by some of our young 1 st year undergraduate students while onboard the RV G.O. Sars where they sort and label the deepsea fauna samples, sort the sediments, etc. Read of this here:
http://www.edu-hermes.org/learn.php?do=cruise2

Click on "Cruise Diary " RV G.O SARS Barents Sea, June 2005".

(B) Perform own research (with scientists' supervision):

Below is a list of potential activities that the pupils may be carrying out during the Expedition:

Sediment Analysis:
The retrieved cores (sub-sampled from boxcore, gravity core) can be analyzed onboard e.g. sieved/sorted out by size:

Experiments on settling velocities:
After the sediments have been classified into different classes, a mixture of 2-3 types can be made (eg. coarse sand, clay), mixed with some water or organic detritus and then poured in a 1liter cylinder. It can be observed which particles settle first and the reasons (density, shape) should be discussed.

Organisms Identification:
Small species can be analyzed under the microscope to see characteristics of the animals, their main identification features, etc. For example, some sponges can be identified by their spicules.

Water analyses:
Water samples are taken with CTD from different depths and analysed.

"Video transect":
Videos are made of transects within the coral "reefs' in the Norwegian Margins. Species identification, enumeration, species diversity, etc will be determined.

Navigation:
The pupils will be get an introduction about different navigational systems (radar, GPS) and then see how they function by having a look on the Bridge.

Meteorology:
The report of meteorological data is used to prepare forecasts and warnings for ships, to avoid bad weather conditions. Some ships do such meteorological reports voluntarily. Data above sea (temperature, cloud, weather, visibility) and on the surface (temperature, waves "fetch, height), cloud types are some of the features looked at.

Sea water properties:
Pupils can have a look at a CTD profile, describe the main trends of the different curves and discuss the reasons. They should also analyze how this influences the biodiversity.

Associated species, biodiversity and Interdependency:
Pupils will learn about associated species within coldwater coralreefs etc, their biodiversity and their interdependency.

Marine Chemical Ecology
Pupils will be introduced to the concepts and methods of marine chemical ecology, where animals use chemicals to communicate e.g. for feeding, anti-predation (ichtyotoxicity), anti-fouling, etc.

Corals Experiments (if permitted)

1. If permitted, the pupils can take samples of coral rubble, dead corals and live corals and combine the sampling with visual data (e.g. use a video grab or sample one of the reefs that the scientists on board have already surveyed with the ROV) to sketch a map of the reef.
    
2. The pupils could observe a few ROV dives if the images are transmitted through a tv screen and they can observe and make a list and compare the different organisms living in the different areas of reefs: rubble, dead and live coral zone. If they can observe the ROV dives next to the scientists they could also observe the health status of different reefs and, in case the reefs are damaged, the most probable causes of the damage. They could present these findings to their classmates as a way to increase awareness to the threats that the reefs face.

Effects of pressure of the deeper water:
By sending down (to great depth) small Styrofoam cups, or even better, plastic bottles filled with different amounts of water (possibly attaching them to a ROV or CTD), effects of pressure can be seen. Deformation of the bottles can visualize pressure (will be differentially deformed depending on the amount of water that was inside). Post-experimental products will be great for school Show & Tell sessions.

Introduction to the legal aspects (Law of the Sea):
One of the scientists onboard also has a Master in International Environmental Law. The pupils will receive an introduction on the Law of the Sea vis-à-vis deepsea scientific research, bioprospecting issues, biodiversity conservation, activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction/the Area, etc.

(C) Outreach Activities

Online Expedition Log or Cruise diaries:
The pupils will write their own online diaries (in English, German and Norwegian, according to their language preferences). They may even opt to write a group online diary. Whatever their final decision, the web blogs will be uploaded on this Polarstern webpage:
http://www.edu-hermes.org/polarstern/

Ask the "Junior Scientists" sessions:
A possibility (but not confirmed): real-time satellite broadcasts and phone-ins from schools.

Scientific Reporting:
Using videos, cameras, and/or written media, the pupils can report on the scientific work of other scientists onboard, as well as report on the results of the pupils' own scientific research mini-projects.

Investigative Reporting:
The pupils can interview and report on various scientists, students, vessel crew (captain, deckhand, engineer, doctor, cook, ROV pilots, Helicopter pilots, etc), Media people onboard, UNEP people, outgoing AWI Director Professor Dr. Thiede, Expedition Leader Dr. Klages, project leaders, etc.

The pupils can ask the interviewees who they are, where they're from, what their research objectives are, expectations and results so far, how they intend to get this knowledge spread out, aspects of long-term cruise (+ and -), 3 wishes, etc. etc.

Reports can also be topics-based, e.g.:

• GPS & satellite comms, ROVs & ROVs operation, ship & operations, etc
• Emergency procedure, drills, ship operation, catering, medical, seasickness, sports/exercises facilities
• Research
• Training
• Daily News, Accomplishments

Video-taping activities onboard "Polarstern':
Pupils will be shown how to operate a videocam and the pupils will shot short videos of sampled fauna from the coldwater reefs, of people onboard Polarstern, of equipment, of interesting findings, etc.