EPIC Teacher At Sea Web Site

Questions and Answers

Jennifer and Jane had a "Question of the Day" each day. If you are the first person, class, or school to answer the question correctly, your answer will be featured on our web site along with a link to your school's home page. Good Luck! Send your answers to webmaster@ogp.noaa.gov

Question of the Day

Date

Question

Answer

09-04-01

1. What does R/V stand for?
2. Who is Ronald H. Brown?

1. Research Vessel
Answered by Geno Alferos and friends at Guajome Park Academy, Vista, California

09-05-01

One of today's photos shows a "marine layer" (see photos). What causes the marine layer to sit over coastal land in San Diego?

09-06-01

The scientists on board are not allowed to collect and record data until we are out of Mexican waters. How far off-shore is the boundary between Mexican waters and International waters?

09-07-01

What is the difference between sea wave height and swell wave height?

09-08-01

What causes the green flash that sailors sometimes see at sunset?

09-09-01

When Charles Darwin was asked to join the HMS Beagle on its voyage to South America, he was in school at Cambridge studying to enter what profession?

Charles Darwin was studying to become a clergyman when he joined the HMS Beagle for his bit adventure. Answered by by Morgan at Guajome Park Academy, Vista, California

09-10-01

What are the two factors that are used when classifying a storm as a tropical depression, tropical storm, or hurricane?

09-11-01

Why is cloud cover measured in 8ths (example 1/8, 7/8, etc)?

09-12-01

How much money did the U.S. spend last year on scientific research? What percent of the total budget does it represent? (Please cite your source when you send your answer)

09-13-01

How many miles per hour are in one knot?

09-14-01

There is a special name for people who cross the equator- what is it?

09-15-01

How many statute miles are in one nautical mile? (a statute mile is a regular road mile)

09-16-01

What is the main function of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)?

09-17-01

How many shark attacks were reported last year in the world?

09-18-01

Why are red lights used in darkrooms and for night vision? Why not blue, yellow, or some other color?

09-19-01

If you wanted to be a Mate on a ship, what organization would issue you a "Mate's License?"

09-20-01

How many documented cases of ocean piracy were reported last year?

09-21-01

What is the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)?

09-22-01

How many statute miles is it from Quito, Ecuador (where most of us will be flying through to get home) to Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands (where the ship will be docked)?

09-23-01

What is graupel?

09-24-01

Professional mariners in the private sector are employed through the Merchant Marines. The Merchant Marine Academy trains people to become professional mariners. What are their admission requirements?

09-25-01

What is the process for becoming a NOAA officer? What are the prerequisites?

09-26-01

NOAA is one of the 7 uniformed services in the U.S. government. Can you name the other 6?

09-27-01

If you wanted to pursue a career as a NOAA officer, what would NOAA train you to do?

09-28-01

Twenty-nine years ago I was born near Oxon Hill, Maryland. How many miles am I from my birthplace?

09-29-01

Some of my students are interested in science, but are not sure which area of science they would like to pursue in college. List as many different scientific disciplines as you can (ex. meteorology, oceanography, etc.).

09-30-01

Quito is the capital of Ecuador. Name 3 U.S. cities that are located on the same line of longitude as Quito.

10-01-01

The water temperature at 10N, 95W is approximately 29 degrees Celsius. Is the water temperature in the Galapagos Islands warmer or cooler? Why?

10-02-01

What is the call sign of the NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown?

10-03-01

When I return home to California I will be flying from Quito, Ecuador to Miami, Florida to Los Angeles, California, and finally to San Diego, California. Approximately how many frequent flyer miles will I rack up?

10-04-01

What is a "pollywog"? You may have to search a little, but give me the definition that relates to the ocean.

10-05-01

How many people live in the Galapagos Islands?
In an unprecedented move, I am going to give you an answer to yesterday's question of the day. A pollywog, according to the Captain and seafaring tradition, is "an unworthy, slimy intruder to the realm of King Neptune," or someone who has never crossed the equator via ship. By the way, a "shellback" is the term for someone who has crossed the equator via ship- that's me!

10-06-01

What is the elevation of Quito, Ecuador? What is the elevation of the highest city in the United States?

10-10-01

How does the ship get fresh water for its passengers?

10-11-01

What is the fastest creature living in the sea?

10-12-01

What would happen to an ordinary styrofoam cup at at depth of 900 m.?

10-13-01

What is an updraft and what causes it?

10-14-01

How do updrafts affect the size of a raindrop? Do you think the size changes? If so, which way?

10-15-01

Sea life (mussels, barnacles, little fish) can be a problem for the scientists. They often attach themselves to the ropes and instruments and can interfere with the data being collected. Sharks may even bite into the cables and poke holes in them. Scientists are looking for ways to prevent this. Can you think of ways that might help?

10-16-01

Why is it important for all the "portholes" (windows) on the ship to be covered during the night?

10-18-01

Is it necessary to paint all the instruments that will hang along the rope with anti-foul. Should the ones hanging at 50 meters get the same amount as those that hang at 500 meters or 1500 meters? Why or why not?

10-19-01

What does a petral (type of sea bird) eat?

10-20-01

How long will it take the Ron Brown to travel from here to Arica (800 miles) averaging 13 knots/hour?

10-23-01

How large do leatherback turtles get, and what do they eat?

Questions for Jennifer

Date

Question

Jennifer's Answer

09-19-01

We want to know if you are fishing for food! from Josh in Ms. Byer's class, Northley Middle School

Some people are fishing, and when they catch stuff the cook serves it for dinner. But if we don't catch anything, we still get to eat other stuff, so we won't starve!!! We've been catching a lot of squid, which we use for bait. I hope this answers your questions.

09-19-02

Are you homesick? from Alicia in Ms. Byer's class, Northley Middle School

I have been a little homesick, and I will be happy when I get home, but I am learning so much and doing so many things that most people never get to do. I am trying to enjoy being here, and not worry too much about my family. My husband writes e-mail to me every day, and sometimes even includes little jokes, so that makes me happy. And I know that I will never have a chance like this again, so I am trying not to get homesick.

09-12-01

We are wondering about the kinds of food that are served on board. Is there a chef or do you cook it yourself? from Ms. Lipkowitz's 5th grade class, Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy

Here's the deal- there is a chef on the ship named Richard. He cooks hot
meals for us 3 times a day. If you miss a meal, or you need a snack, there is always cold cereal and sandwich materials that we can fix ourselves. The meals are served on a buffet line, so you can pick what you want. The choices change every day, but there's always vegetables, rice, meat, and usually some seafood. I think Richard has a certain number of ingredients, and he puts them in different combinations each
day. For example, today we had cooked corn. Tomorrow the soup might have corn in it. The next day the rice might be mixed with corn. The food isn't bad, but I'm looking forward to a dining out when I get home with my husband- something with waiters, tablecloths, and a Diet Coke (the only thing to drink in the mess is fruit punch or water).

09-11-01

Do you have a pool? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

On the ship? No, no pool.

09-11-01

What is your favorite sea animal? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

I've always loved orcas (killer whales). I really want to see the marine iguanas in the Galapagos Islands.

09-11-01

What do you like about your job? What is your favorite music?
What is your favorite color? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

You mean my teaching job, or being Teacher at Sea? I love teaching because teenagers are a lot more interesting than adults. I like a lot of music, but my favorite groups include Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, Alanis
Morrisette, and tons more. My favorite color? Well, my house is completely light yellow, and my classroom is mostly purple.

09-11-01

What is your favorite food? How long is the voyage? Do you ever get sea sick? Where do you live? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

Favorite food has to be french fries- it's the one thing that I just can't pass up. The voyage is 32 days. I felt yucky a couple days, but I
never actually got sick. I live near San Diego, CA.

09-11-01

Can you have a pet on board? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

Unfortunately, no. I miss my dog and cat at home.

09-11-01

Do you have a husband? What is your favorite team? Have you been
around the world? Have you been to Hawaii? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

I do have a husband- a super fantastic guy named Rob. I guess since I
live in San Diego my favorite teams are the Padres and the Chargers. I have not been around the world- I've been
as far west as Japan, as far south as New Zealand, as far east as Switzerland, and as far north as Alaska. I have been to Hawaii once- I
went by myself and stayed in the youth hostels.

09-11-01

What is your favorite sport? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

My favorite sport to watch is ice hockey (once, I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out). My favorite sport to play is probably soccer, although I haven't played since high school.

09-11-01

Is it fun out there? What do you teach? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

I don't know that I'd call
it necessarily "fun" out here, but it is definately a wonderful experience. It can get a little boring, since you're stuck on a boat the
whole time. The most fun part is watching movies in the evening and socializing with the other people. I teach 9th and 10th grades- Earth Science and Math.

09-11-01

How hot or cold is it? When is the Brown coming back? How many MMP's do you have on board? Are you close to Chile? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

It is pretty warm outside- in the 80s and 90s, but pretty cool inside since it's air conditioned. The Brown goes to Galapagos, then Chile, then Charleston, NC for a few months. There are 3 MMPs on board. We are
not currently close to Chile- look up 10N, 95 W on the map- you'll see we are closest to central america- El Salvador maybe?

09-11-01

What is it like on the Brown? Do you like traveling? What is your favorite contintent?
Hmm, what is it like on the ship? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

That's a big question. It's like
living in a college dorm, working in a laboratory, and always thinking about science. And of course, the ground is ALWAYS moving back and forth and up and down. I have only been to the continents of North America, Europe and Asia, but I definately like N. America the best. I love
travelling and seeing new places, but there's no place like home.

09-11-01

How old are you? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

I am 28. I will celebrate my first annual 29th birthday on the ship on Sept 28.

09-11-01

How many people are on your ship? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

I think there are about 55 people- about 25 scientists, 5 officers, and 25 crew members.

09-11-01

Do you have a child and what is his/her name? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff Indepent School District

No, no children.

09-10-01

"Has anybody been pushed overboard?" from Mana Leituala Guajome Park Academy, Vista, California

No one overboard. Everyone working near the edge has to wear a harness in case they fall.

09-10-01

"How many times have you gotten sea sick?" from Kalen Jack Guajome Park Academy, Vista, California

I haven't puked yet (woo hoo :-)

09-10-01

"How many janitors are on the boat?" from Mike Tucker Guajome Park Academy, Vista, California

There are no "janitors" on the boat, but there is a crew that does engine maintenance, cooking, etc. We have to clean our own areas by ourselves (this isn't a hotel).

09-07-01

"What was your REAL reason for doing this trip? Did
you want to just learn more? Did you want to see the Galapagos Islands?"
from Geno Alferos Guajome Park Academy, Vista, California

What was the real reason I wanted to do this trip? I think it's important to always be learning and experiencing new things in life. Once you finish high school and college some people let their brain
cells shrivel up. I want to make sure that I am always doing things to make myself better. Does that make sense? This trip makes me smarter because I am learning so much about oceanographic and meteorological research. And it makes me a better science teacher because I am learning stuff that I can share with you all, and hopefully get you guys excited about science. And it makes me a happy person because I love adventure
and new things.

09-07-01

"How do you feel way from home?" from Melissa Gonzalez Guajome Park Academy, Vista, California

To be honest, I try not to think about it too much because then I would get homesick. I try to focus on
being here on the ship, since I'm stuck here for a month and can't do anything about it. But I miss my husband, all of my students, and being
on solid ground.

09-07-01

"Have you seen any wildlife so far?" from Kalen Jack Guajome Park Academy, Vista, California

Excellent question. I forgot to mention in my log that I saw a bunch of flying fish! (Sorry, Geno, I didn't get
a picture) They were really cool- almost looked like birds jumping out of the ocean, flying 10 or 20 feet, then diving back in. We also passed a huge school of at least a hundred porpoises, about a mile away. I'm hoping we'll see some more closer so I can get some pictures for you.