Girl Scouts is all about trying new things, broadening a girl’s horizon, and building courage, confidence, and character along the way. Last year, when I applied for the Science Communication Fellowship with the Ocean Exploration Trust, I was stretching myself for two big reasons: one was to further develop my own courage, confidence, and character. … Continue reading Explore the Ocean Live with Me this Summer
Tag: Melissa Baffa
Headed for home
Six months ago today I sat in front of my computer, staring at the screen. I wanted it to be just right. An email had crossed my desk in a roundabout and somewhat accidental way, and the past two days had been a scramble of activity to respond and get an application together.Truth be told, … Continue reading Headed for home
Meet Hercules
In case you have been wondering about some of the technology that makes ocean exploration aboard the E/V Nautilus possible, today’s post is about Hercules, one of the ROVs. Hercules parked inside his hangar, where he can be worked on and protected from the elements during transit.Todd designed and built Hercules. He gave me a tour … Continue reading Meet Hercules
Dive Alert!
Tonight we will perform another dive, with both ROVs (Argus & Hercules). We will be diving near the "East of Eden 3" site, and other targets that we identified as being potential active hydrothermal vents during our reconnaissance dive a few days ago.We will be studying the geological features, looking for interesting biological features (including … Continue reading Dive Alert!
Meet Socktopus
Today, I am happy to share a special blog post from my friend and travel companion Socktopus. Enjoy! ~Melissa **********************Me with other members of my family.Nice to meet you! My name’s Socktopus. I was inspired by a craft that was done at this year’s Kaleidoscope. I was born back in Ventura, along with a brother … Continue reading Meet Socktopus
The Robots Do Our Bidding
In honor of the dives yesterday and today on the historic hydrothermal vent sites near the Galapagos Islands, today I am posting a poem that I wrote about the ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) that we use for exploration.********* The Robots Do Our Bidding They creep and crawl, they swim and sway;Stuff countless samples in the … Continue reading The Robots Do Our Bidding
World Oceans Day
Happy World Oceans Day! Today we celebrate the ocean, and all it does for us. Oceans cover 71% of our planet. They were the birthplace of life. They determine our weather and climate. They feed billions of people. Their chemical composition nearly mirrors that of our blood.Arriving at Baltra, a volcanic cone is visible in … Continue reading World Oceans Day
Into the Wild
The lava pebbles crunched underneath my feet. The air was warm and redolent with the smell of mud and green plants. Birds sang among the trees, and flowers sparkled against the green grass and leaves lining the pathway.The view from the pier at Puerto Ayora.We had caught a cab from Puerto Ayora and taken it … Continue reading Into the Wild
Tortoises, Iguanas, and Finches, Oh My!
Today we weighed anchor and made our way to Santa Cruz Island. Puerto Ayora, the town here, is much larger, and wraps glittering along the shoreline, pastel buildings poking out through green vegetation. The harbor is larger as well, with less fishing boats and more cruise ships and fair-sized yachts bobbing at anchor in the … Continue reading Tortoises, Iguanas, and Finches, Oh My!
Land Ho!
Today started and ended magically. Today was the day we finally arrived at the Galápagos.Just after breakfast it appeared through the clouds in the distance: San Cristóbal Island! This is the first island of the archipelago that Darwin stepped foot on in 1835. It is comprised of several extinct volcanoes linked together, and is a jumble … Continue reading Land Ho!
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