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| Our first week together, during a cookout at UWF. |
The other day, Dr. Judkins mentioned that at this point, we
have seen and used about 85% of field equipment out there. That is incredible
to think about. Beyond seeing ecosystems from across the state and learning
about the oceanography and topography that allow FL to be so diverse, we were
introduced to several methods of study that we will all be using at some point
in our futures. Having been introduced to the field studies of dynamic beaches,
mangrove forests, oyster reefs, coral reefs, and the deep sea has allowed us to
test the waters of many fields of marine science and make a decision out of
experience as to which direction we may choose to go from here; or, at the very
least, which fields we do not want to go into. This course has reaffirmed my
decision to make marine sciences my future. I now know that I love long days
gathering data and long nights making sense of it.
This experience has opened several doors and caused me to
think of possible research projects for the future – and not in the daydreaming
sense that I typically think of my future, but in a practical sense: which
methods will I use, what equipment will be necessary, how many replicates will
need to be done, what region will I work in, what are adverse effects of
working in this region, and most importantly: how will I fund this project?!
Beyond the classroom setting, the most enriching part of
this trip has been the people we have met. Every professor took time to
introduce us to their areas of expertise, labs with current research, and most
campuses. I also met students from across the state who share a common passion
for the environment; and in being forced to be together for six straight weeks,
we have grown into an inseparable family. Today will be our last day together
and I am going to be incredibly sad to see it go by. Not waking up to a day of
field work in the FL sun and swamps nor being able to go into the next room to
hang out with eleven other kids that I have been sharing first-time experiences
with is going to be very difficult. To be continued, FIO family, thanks for
one heck of a summer!
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| Our last week together, during our last field day on the R/V Weatherbird II. |
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