Journal

Today’s entry is written and submitted by: Paarnannguaq (Greenland), Arno (Greenland), Emil (Denmark), Jeannie (U.S.A.)

We started out sharing our results from yesterday’s expedition: telling each other about the flowers we found and identified, as well as the properties we observed about our water samples (from Lake Ferguson).

Ellen presenting her results
Ellen presenting her results. Photo by Laura Lukes (2011)
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Students present their findings
Paarnanngguaq, Maria, and Titte present their findings. Photo by Laura Lukes (2011).

Today we also learned about the world of GPSA Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system used to track the location or position of objects on the Earth’s surface.. We got to make our own geo-caches. We were given patches to hide somewhere around town. We recorded the coordinates of our top secret hiding locations and then traded the coordinates with other teams. Then we made a competition out of finding the most patches. After two hours of running around and climbing over rocks, our team, Team Pink, came out victorious. We got to keep the NSF International Polar YearThe International Polar Year (IPY) is a two year (2007-2009) program of international research and education focused on the Arctic and Antarctic. Click here for more information about IPY. patches as our prize.

Students using GPS
Christine, Maria, and Lauritz acquiring satellites with their GPS. Photo by Laura Lukes (2011)

After everyone finished up, we regrouped to learn some more about how GPSA Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system used to track the location or position of objects on the Earth’s surface. works and why it is an important tool for fieldwork. We learned about how atomic clocks help to make GPSA Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system used to track the location or position of objects on the Earth’s surface. very accurate. This allows for us to record exact locations when collecting samples or conducting tests. With our new knowledge of GPSA Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system used to track the location or position of objects on the Earth’s surface., we are now more prepared to work in the field.

.Research team making a plan.
Lauritz, Maria, and Ole deciding on a research project. Photo by Laura Lukes (2011)

This afternoon we also met for the first time in our research groups. We began discussing what specific research we would like to do. Groups came up with all sorts of plans ranging from water quality testing in different lakes to researching musk ox.

Emil and Vance locate a geocache site with their GPS unit.
Emil and Vance locate a geocache site with their GPS unit. Photo by Jean Wilkening

Geocache: Musk Ox head
Geocahce: Musk Ox head site. Photo by Jeannie Wilkening

Today’s agenda highlights

  1. Who’s who? Pop quiz on names using photos from yesterday

  2. Reporting out on yesterday’s investigations

  3. Using GPSA Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system used to track the location or position of objects on the Earth’s surface.: Creating team Geocaches

  4. Using GPSA Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system used to track the location or position of objects on the Earth’s surface.: Finding team Geocaches

  5. Meeting in research groups to create a preliminary plan

Vocabulary

Nalunaarasuartaateeraliorfittaarsualiorsimagaluaraminngoaq – Greenlandic word meaning ‘they build a telecom tower’

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