Katies Studying Abroad

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Cloud forests and crocodiles!

Physics Department Chair Terry Flower, Ph.D., is using the real world labs of Argentina, Costa Rica and Antarctica to study global warming, rain forests and penguins and filed this update Wednesday, Jan. 20.

We are getting used to warmer temperatures and everything else Costa Rica has to offer. The unit of currency is the colon with about 550 colons to US dollar. This results in thousands of colons for most purchases. But Costa Rica really caters to us. They accept US dollars and price many items in both. And the people, in part because they are so well educated, are warm and friendly and willing to help. It seems there are few who do not speak English as well as their native tongue.

We entered the cloud forests of Monte Verde. Verde means green so we are on the mountain of green. Indeed, it is. The canopy of the cloud forest is well over a hundred feet above us. We have as our laboratory the environment about us. Yes, we can use our instruments here but we are in fact, observing the world, far more than any closed lab room might permit.

When we come down to it, our eyes and other senses are really important. I am reminded of a dear friend, an astronomer, Albert Jones, who lives in Richmond, New Zealand. He spends every night that it is possible, under the stars. Even the Anglo-Australian Observatory in Siding Springs calls him to verify their electronic instruments against his eyes. The human eye is indeed sensitive but so are our other senses, especially when trained to be sharp.

We’ve been without internet access for a couple days, in part due travel, and in part due to connections. So I’ve got a bit to catch folks up on.

Monte Verde is a paradise of a cloud forest. It is almost always cloudy here and does not rain as much as the rain forests. Our explorations take us there and to Carera Parque, a transition forest. Carera means river of crocodiles.

They almost looked artificial to us watching from the bridge above them. Then, when they open their mouths to assist with cooling or watch them crawl forward you know they are real. And so big! It is good to see them and see just what climate does to them and other wildlife.

Atop Monte Verde we went “sky walking” which is a local term for following paths through the jungles that cross a number of very high suspension bridges. It is beautiful from up here. You can see so far when you are above the canopy in places. Nobody was really concerned about safety as the suspension cables are strong and hold us easily. Local restrictions require that no more than ten people can cross at once so Melody (our guide) and I each lead half of the group. There were five of these high bridges.

Following this we took an entirely different look at the canopy of the cloud forest. We went on zip lines. The wind was blowing, (Melody said it was officially 25 kph but it seemed higher.) We had to take a tram to the top of the mountain of green and then climb another hundred feet or so up a tower. The wind rattled through our hair and we bundled up. Yes, the wind chill was enough to need a jacket here in Costa Rica!

Then we zipped across roughly a quarter mile, more in some cases, just above the canopy. Because it was windy on some of the lines we doubled up and zipping quickly. They say top speed is about 46 mph which is a pretty good clip. My partner hung on tightly. Students managed to take some videos but I just zipped. We went on nine lines plus a practice one. It actually was fun.

We left Monte Verde and just arrived in Quepos. The agents overbooked our rooms and so we got placed in a fantastic resort hotel for the same rate. Students cannot believe how nice it is here. Tomorrow we go to the rain forests. Comparing these different climates in one country helps to understanding climate and climate change.

We know the climate changes every year with the seasons but how does it act in the long term? We have paleoclimatological data from ice cores in Greenland, Lake Vostok in the Antarctic, form ocean sediments, stalagmites in caves across the globe, and recorded history. Sure, recorded history is not numerical data, but records of where grapes were grown over centuries tells us what the climate was like and helps us understand more completely.

I am lying alongside the pool as I write this blog. Dinner is in an hour and we can see the Pacific Ocean right in front of us. I hope we can catch a glimpse of the green flash. From here we can also do some astronomy work since we have access to a clear sky. We couldn’t do that with the canopy of the cloud forest overhead or the volcano outgassing around us.

We count our blessings as we look to the end of the course. A couple more lab write-ups and a final exam and we will complete our academic requirements.

There are no definitive answers to climate change. But we can better understand the processes that contribute to it. We have three more days before we begin our journey home. Thus far it has been spectacular. Together the journey has been an experience we’ll not ever forget. I will never forget these students who journeyed with me.
Terry Flower

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

From icebergs to volcanos

Physics Department Chair Terry Flower, Ph.D., is using the real world labs of Argentina, Costa Rica and Antarctica to study global warming, rain forests and penguins and filed this update Sunday, Jan. 17.

Sunday, Jan. 17
Our expedition to explore Climate Change takes us now from the cold and ices of the Antarctic to the tropical paradise of Costa Rica. What a change!

Costa Rica is a place that is so inviting with warm and friendly people. Our guide, Melody, says she wants to learn English better (actually she is really quite proficient) but it seems more like an opportunity for us to practice our Spanish.

We’ll see just how good that stack of Spanish CDs I listened to while driving to school for the past semester pays off. A lot of people thought it was good enough to just know Banjo and Cerveza but we are becoming more conversational and can even order our meals in Spanish.

The airport is not in San Jose. That means we can head directly for La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano. Arenal (with emphasis on the first syllable and pronounced “air”) is one of 112 volcanoes in this spectacularly diverse country. La Fortuna is on the Atlantic side of the continental divide. Arenal is actually an active volcano.

Before we even get to our lodging for the night we find a Three-Toed Sloth hanging from a nearby branch. It looked stiff as if rigor mortis had set in. But then he slowly turned his head to me and winked, letting us know this is just how he prefers to be. After all, he is a sloth.

Before dinner we have to check out the surrounding. Lush green forests, a stark contrast to the whites of snow and ice in the Antarctic surround our cabins. My students make it clear this is great but that there is no way to compare Costa Rica with the Antarctic. They are in totally different leagues. But each is a different way to recognize what climate change is doing to the Earth and how it is progressing.

We ate the traditional dinner in Coast Rica. Every meal has rice and beans. Then there are some other accompaniments but they may vary meal to meal. Recall that I mentioned in an earlier blog that we had gone swimming in the Antarctic. Now we are treated to a dip in the hot springs of the volcano. Aaaahh!

This feels just like our hot tub back home. I told Melody that this reminded me of our hot tub except for the fact that we immerse ourselves in the hot water amidst snow and freezing January temperatures. Costa Ricans just don’t know what they are missing! Maybe it is just us.

We wake up early. Who can sleep late knowing we start our first full day in this lovely country. Before we can board the bus to take us to the foot of the Arenal Volcano we see two Toucans flying back and forth, teasing us and keeping just out of reach as if they wanted to lead us in a different direction. Finally we let them go their way and we’ll go ours.

The hike to the volcano is interesting. We spotted a Long Nosed Coiti, reminding us of a slender, rather extended raccoon. Its long tail is similar to that of a monkey. He continues about his business since we keep our distance an let him be.

From the top of the trail we stop and take in the spectacular views. Suddenly Arenal rumbles, sounding like a railroad train moving along. We are told that this is normal and there several such events daily. The last major eruption was in 1968 and another in 1991 but that gases are vented daily.

We get a chance to explore the surrounding area, carefully watching our footing amdst the igneous rocks ejected from Arenal in the ’92 event. Locals ignore warnings of another eruption but like people who live in flood plains, forests prone to fires, etc, they fall on deaf ears.

Subtle signs of climate change show us that pineapples are being grown in places they could not thrive in recent times. There are no glaciers to melt here but the tropics is where water vapor is concentrated. This is significant since it is the dominant greenhouse gas in our atmosphere.

Our studies allow us to examine the thermodynamics of dry and moist air and the impact of volcanic particulate matter on the reflection and absorption of solar radiation. What a laboratory we have been blessed to be able to experiment in. First the polar climate and now the tropics. We pause to admire the works of the hand of the Grand Experimenter, and thank him for showing us His wonders.
Terry Flower

Reflections on the final day in Delhi

Jordyn Arndt ’11 is among a group of 19 St. Kate’s students on a Global Search for Justice j-term course in India with Deep Shikha, interim dean of the School of Business and Leadership and Economics Professor, and Robert Grunst, professor of English.

January 18, 2010

Our Global Search for Justice (GSJ) study abroad course in India is coming to a close. We are leaving from Delhi tomorrow night for the Twin Cities. While no one is looking forward to a fifteen hour flight, the majority of the students are anxious to see their friends and family in the United States again.

Yesterday we visited the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort in Agra, and a market. While it was a rather foggy morning for sightseeing, we were still able to enjoy visiting the two sites. We received a wonderful tour of the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort and were provided with ample time to take pictures within the vicinity. After an enriching morning filled with history and culture, students were able to practice their bargaining skills and do some last minute souvenir shopping at the market in Agra.

During our free time in Agra students enjoyed visiting the mall across from the hotel. In addition to shopping, some students attended 3 Idiots, a Bollywood movie in Hindi without English subtitles, in the evening. We had class in the afternoon. During the class we completed our book project presentations and began brainstorming ideas for our GSJ India presentation night in February.

Tomorrow we will be checking-out of our hotel. Afterwards we will be visiting Delhi Hut, a market that has artists from throughout India selling their handcrafted goods. A visit to the Mahatma Gandhi museum, Indira Gandhi, and meeting with the Chief Minister of Haryana will provide us with strong closure to our class.

Students are anxious to share their experiences in India with friends and family. All students, faculty, staff, friends, and family members are encouraged to attend the GSJ India presentation night. We will be presenting with the GSJ South Africa course on February 15, 5:30–8:30 p.m. in the Coeur de Catherine Raurenhorst Ballroom. We hope to see you there!
Jordyn Arndt '11

Of climate change, yoga and palaces

Jordyn Arndt ’11 is among a group of 19 St. Kate’s students on a Global Search for Justice j-term course in India with Deep Shikha, interim dean of the School of Business and Leadership and Economics Professor, and Robert Grunst, professor of English.

Jan. 15

We have completed our second week of the Global for Justice (GSJ) course is women, work, health, and the environment in India. During our frequent classes we have continued our discussions of oppression, gender, culture, and globalization.

On Tuesday we participated in the Institute for Rural Research and Development (IRRAD) sixth annual conference about the eradication of poverty and mitigation of climate change in India.

We attended presentations by representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) throughout India addressing issues related to education, health, gender equality, small business development, water security, and agricultural practices.

While the majority of the conference participants were from India, we were in the company of a small group of graduate students from the University of Iowa. The conference was both informative and inspiring.

At the end of the conference, three St. Kate’s students discussed their experiences in India and what they gained from the conference. Their common theme was a refreshed commitment to combating social injustices wherever they may occur.

On Wednesday we made the six hour commute from Dehli to Jaipur and the Sunrise Naturopathy Health Resort.

We arose early the next morning to depart for Amber Palace. In order to reach the palace, situated on a high hill, we rode elephants. The tour of the Amber Palace provided us with an introduction to the extravagant lifestyles and reign of the maharajas.

On Friday we visited Jaipur City Palace and Observatory. Within the palace and observatory, we visited extraordinary galleries containing artwork, armory, textiles, and sun dials from the maharajas.

Our time in India is quickly coming to an end. We will continue processing our experiences in India, engaging in yoga sessions, and visiting sites of historical & cultural significance. We have begun discussing ideas for our GSJ India presentation in February. All students, faculty, staff, friends, and family members are encouraged to attend the GSJ India presentation on February 15th.
Jordyn Arndt

Friday, January 15, 2010

Drinking from the mythological Pierian Spring

Physics Department Chair Terry Flower, Ph.D., is using the real world labs of Argentina, Costa Rica and Antarctica to study global warming, rain forests and penguins and has sent us updates and photos.
We are travelling to our next destination with a stop overnight in Buenos Aires again. This gives us time to reflect on what we’ve seen and done so far. One thing we notice is that there are subtle effects of our travel.

Indeed, we wish to experience the disparate cultures we visit but as we do so we recognize that this is a two way street. We are not just flies on the wall but there is a symbiotic effect, whole – part - whole. As we partake, as we more deeply drink from the "Pierian Spring," more so do we impact the culture itself.

For example, some years ago there were no McDonalds here. Then there was one, then two and now nearly every block has one. And tour guides think they are great and THE place to stop.

Yet these are not part of the foreign culture, or are they?

At class this morning we examined energy transport, especially conduction and radiation in the atmosphere. Eventually we will be able to make our own computer model for the climate. Let’s hope that it is the best of our culture that changes others, not the worst. We are indeed having an impact on other cultures.

In the Antarctic we overtly tried to minimize human impact. The Penguins have no fear of us as a male cut in front of us to carry a stone to the nest as if it were candy or flowers for their mate. Their nests are made of small stones and provide drainage. It is neat to see penguins constantly taking stones from one nest to bring to another.

We have time for one more lab session before our plane leaves and will pull the thus-far collected data together and analyze it. Our class is a team, a good team–nobody sits back.

Our students work remarkably well together whether it is looking at photos and sharing them or it is the scientific data. We know how important good data is and we avoid corrupting our files.

We will send more from Costa Rica. We just hated to leave the Antarctic, it calls us back. But we eagerly look forward to the next part of our exploration of this Earth’s climate.
Terry Flower


Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The windiest place on earth

Physics Department Chair Terry Flower, Ph.D., is using the real world labs of Argentina, Costa Rica and Antarctica to study global warming, rain forests and penguins and has sent us updates and photos.

We are just bringing the last of the Polar Cirkle Boats onto the ship. They clang against the loading platform just above the water level. The noise reverberates and rings loudly but in a way, sadly as bells tolling at a memorial service. This was our last landing in Antarctica. The last expeditionary member has come aboard and we will shortly sail out of Paradise Harbour.

Here we are surrounded, literally, on all sides by steep mountains which rise sharply out of the waters. They provided whalers of old protection from storms, and wind, especially the wind. This is the windiest place on the planet.

There are what we call katabatic winds–which roar down the snow covered slopes, accelerating like a luge out of control on a steep run.

Earlier we visited an unmanned Argentine station on the mainland, Almirante Brown. Those who were willing and physically fit enough, climbed a rather steep snow covered hill (see our class photo.)
It was an arduous trek through the snow that seemed to pull your boots downward every so often. It seemed that every fifty to one hundred feet change in elevation the views changed so startlingly so that it almost looked like we were viewing different glaciers.

Atop this rocky crag we sat and marveled at what is around us. Is this real? Can we really be seeing this? We thank the Lord for bringing us here safely and for making it possible for us to see His wonders. Only when you see what we have seen will you know why we can say that we, from here, can put out our hand, and, touch the face of God.

We’ve been recording UVa and UVb values hourly so we can get a better handle on the ozone depletion overhead. We are also measuring the magnetic field.

It is interesting that the north magnetic pole of the planet is down in this area, but not on the continent. We are plotting values to trace out the paths of field lines. We are not sure if we will be able to demonstrate the South Atlantic Anomaly.

This afternoon we will cruise into Wilhelmina Bay where the scenery is reported to be dramatic and many whales make it their summer home.
Terry Flower

Monday, January 11, 2010

Student chronicles global search for justice in India

Jordyn Arndt ’11 is among a group of 19 St. Kate’s students on a Global Search for Justice j-term course in India with Deep Shikha, interim dean of the School of Business and Leadership and Economics Professor, and Robert Grunst, professor of English.

Jan. 11...We have spent one week in Dehli, India. The focus of our Global Search for Justice (GSJ) course is women, work, health, and the environment. Thus far we have had phenomenal discussions about oppression, gender, culture and globalization based on our experiences here.

We first traveled to the Institute for Rural Research and Development (IRRAD) in Dehli. We toured their facilities and visited two of the villages to which IRRAD has implemented sustainable development projects.

IRRAD introduced us to their innovative approach to sustainable development through the implementation of alternative energy projects, innovative agricultural practices, enhanced educational programming and public health outreach initiatives.Despite our language and cultural differences, we made crafts with some of the young girls in IRRAD’s technical training module. In the photo above we're showing them how to make structures using toothpicks and marshmallows.

Later on in the week we visited BPS Mahila Vishwa-Vidyalaya, a university for rural women and a charitable hospital. One of the highlights of our visit to the university was a tour of the ayurveda department’s facilities. This was particularly beneficial for our health care majors as ayurveda presents an alternative to Western medicine focused on a more holistic approach to health.

Our visit to the hospital was equally informative. The chairman of charitable hospitals described the challenge of increasing population in addressing India’s health care needs, the controversy surrounding medical tourism and the universal struggle to create available, accessible, and affordable healthcare to all citizens.

Weighty discussions on international economics, women’s role in society and cultural imperialism have been balanced with excursions to become acclimated to India’s rich history and culture.

A bus tour of Dehli helped orientate us to the multifaceted sections of the city. Bargaining in the markets and trying the wonderful spices of Indian cuisine has been a wonderful experience.

Jordyn Arndt '11