This morning we went on an extravagant journey through the canopy of the Sewanee jungle. As we ascended into the precipice of the canopy, we also reflected on the heights; we will ascend in the future. We descended from the canopy and got Dr. McGrath's insight on photosynthesis and the rates of photosynthesis and respiration. The afternoon was a transcendence of our mind and soul into the spirit of the wilderness. Dr. Brown led us in an exuberant experience on how to channel environmental focus through religion. Also Danielle fell off her bike.
Joe Hollingsworth
Monday, July 5, 2010
End of the first week
Had a blast today!!! First my group studied the photosynthesis of plants with Dr. McGrath. We went into the woods and measured the rate of each species’ photosynthesis. We also went into the tree canopy, it was so beautiful!!
Our second field session was with Dr. Brown. We rode our bikes to the cabin and did some enlightening meditating exercises, it was so much fun!
Tonight we are going to a concert, can’t wait!!
Kiera Patanella
Our second field session was with Dr. Brown. We rode our bikes to the cabin and did some enlightening meditating exercises, it was so much fun!
Tonight we are going to a concert, can’t wait!!
Kiera Patanella
MacGyver shows up
In the afternoon session, the kids from Group A studied the ecophysiology of the plateau forest here on the domain with Dr. Deborah McGrath. After a brief introduction to the equipment we'd be using, one for testing the tension that evaporating water creates in plants and another for controlling and measuring the environment around a leaf in order to observe how quickly that particular plant was carrying out photosynthesis, we headed out into the field to observe the different ways domain plants use to survive in a plateau environment that isn't too friendly to plants.
We arrived in the forest and discovered that the plants down beneath the canopy survive because, unlike a fig plant we tested in a garden outside the science building, they conserve the few resources they have and don't allow extra resources to kick them into photosynthetic overdrive. While at the forest research site (after using the van we came in, an adapter, and a very long extension cord to power our equipment in a very MacGyver-esque fashion) we went up into the forest canopy on wooden platforms attached to the tops of trees. Despite fears of heights, the vast majority of students climbed up the ladders into the canopy (using safety equipment and harnesses of course). After a short talk with Dr. McGrath about the connection between the molecular biology within each plant to the ecosystem as a whole, we packed up the vans and headed back to the main campus for showers, dinner, and free time before the weekend and the 4th of July celebration.
Memorable Quote of the Day: "I would support a violent uprising if it led to a peaceful transfer of power"
Jack Albright
We arrived in the forest and discovered that the plants down beneath the canopy survive because, unlike a fig plant we tested in a garden outside the science building, they conserve the few resources they have and don't allow extra resources to kick them into photosynthetic overdrive. While at the forest research site (after using the van we came in, an adapter, and a very long extension cord to power our equipment in a very MacGyver-esque fashion) we went up into the forest canopy on wooden platforms attached to the tops of trees. Despite fears of heights, the vast majority of students climbed up the ladders into the canopy (using safety equipment and harnesses of course). After a short talk with Dr. McGrath about the connection between the molecular biology within each plant to the ecosystem as a whole, we packed up the vans and headed back to the main campus for showers, dinner, and free time before the weekend and the 4th of July celebration.
Memorable Quote of the Day: "I would support a violent uprising if it led to a peaceful transfer of power"
Jack Albright
Caving
Today’s highlight was a hike with Dr. Knoll, a geology professor. It started at a rapid pace down a steep slope, with multiple stops along the way revealing caves with chimney like rock formations. It culminated in a tour of an enormous cave, which we first learned about, and then were turned loose to explore. Me and some others were almost left by the group, because we had delved so deeply into hidden tunnel systems beneath the cave, that I would never had guessed at if Joe hadn’t already dived into them. I may end up going to Sewanee just for the caving and climbing around the campus.
Andy Daverman
(editor's note.. no money was exchanged for this endorsement!)
Andy Daverman
(editor's note.. no money was exchanged for this endorsement!)
We are family
Today was rather eventful, in lack of a better term. Each morning it seems everyone appears more and more exhausted, yet once we reached Spencer Hall this particular morn, it seemed that everyone was a little more excited. Garbed in their swimsuits and soaked in a sunscreen/bug spray mixture, we all were anticipating the swim at the lake on the Saint Andrews campus. Nicki Hubbard and I, Emily Jackson, were prepared with our infant-sized, CVS innertubes either covered in cartoon sharks or, my personal favorite, with a dinosaur head protruding from my tube. Much to our dismay, our swim time was cut short, as Dr. Evans spent all but about 30 minutes informing us on the evolution and identification of plants. Though I did in fact enjoy his lesson and ended up learning a lot despite my background in AP Bio, some of my enthusiasm was lost when I came close to being rudely bitten by the large black widow traipsing near my foot, protected by a mere Chaco. We finally made it to the swimming portion, where we learned most of us have much trouble treading water for more than 5 minutes at a time. After lunch today, we climbed back in the vans for a geology lesson with Dr. Knoll. Possibly the steepest, most precarious hike I’ve ever been on. This only added to the excitement! Finally, on the way back uphill, we were given the opportunity to submerge ourselves into a cave tucked into the limestone. Many ventured, of course, into the forbidden areas within the cavern, while I was only mildly adventurous by traveling past the slippery rocks almost an entire story above the main crowd. After several attempts of sliding down a steep rock to exit the cave, I decided it would be best to go back the way I came up. The teamwork I witnessed today was awesome, as everyone was basically forced to assist someone else in order to ensure their safety. Overall, everyone’s been bonding incredibly. Though it may only be the fourth-and-a-half day, we’re all really beginning to feel like family.
Emily Jackson
Emily Jackson
56 degrees
In the morning we learned about plant evolution, which was really interesting. Once we got to the end of the hike we got to go swimming at a lake, which was great. I liked watching the others try to climb up the cliff to jump off, although I did not attempt to myself.
In the afternoon we went on a very steep hike down to a cave. At one point we were right by the edge on a narrow path and I think we were all freaking out. Once we got into the cave though it was incredible. Even though the professor said it was a small cave it seemed huge to me. It was also kind of refreshing from the hot air because it was only 56 degrees in the cave. The hike back up was exhausting, but I’d say it was worth it.
Kenley Patanella
In the afternoon we went on a very steep hike down to a cave. At one point we were right by the edge on a narrow path and I think we were all freaking out. Once we got into the cave though it was incredible. Even though the professor said it was a small cave it seemed huge to me. It was also kind of refreshing from the hot air because it was only 56 degrees in the cave. The hike back up was exhausting, but I’d say it was worth it.
Kenley Patanella
Archaeology Day
Today we were at King Farm doing an archaeological dig, which I must add was AMAZING!
The group was spread out between 5 different spots- Snake Cabin, King House, Green's Cabin, a rock hangover, and one group was looking at graffiti on the rock walls. In every group you were placed with a couple college students, all of which are here at Sewanee for a Field School in Archaeology Program. It was fun working right next to them, even though you had no clue what you were doing. It was really easy to get the hang of though. All in all it was a great day out in the field, but I think it was even more interesting to come back and clean our artifacts.
We came back to the lab and washed and scrubbed our artifacts. Basically we were just trying to get all of the dirt off of them. It was really cool to see what everyone found though. There were a lot of rusted nails, what looks like chips of a china set, tons of glass, and lots of chert (which is the chips of rock that fly off when you are making an arrowhead). It was all very interesting. I learned so much, and I hope the group that goes out tomorrow finds even more!
Kali Thompson
The group was spread out between 5 different spots- Snake Cabin, King House, Green's Cabin, a rock hangover, and one group was looking at graffiti on the rock walls. In every group you were placed with a couple college students, all of which are here at Sewanee for a Field School in Archaeology Program. It was fun working right next to them, even though you had no clue what you were doing. It was really easy to get the hang of though. All in all it was a great day out in the field, but I think it was even more interesting to come back and clean our artifacts.
We came back to the lab and washed and scrubbed our artifacts. Basically we were just trying to get all of the dirt off of them. It was really cool to see what everyone found though. There were a lot of rusted nails, what looks like chips of a china set, tons of glass, and lots of chert (which is the chips of rock that fly off when you are making an arrowhead). It was all very interesting. I learned so much, and I hope the group that goes out tomorrow finds even more!
Kali Thompson
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