What 's your work day like?
July 2, 2007 - 6:47am
Hey! What's your work day like? Even my youngest elementary students will want to know what you do in a day. Do you get messy? Do you have to stay outside long at a time? How long does the chamber stay under the dark cover? What can you tell us for those not ready for equations?
Freda Chambers
Hi Freda!
I basically have two types of workdays. The first is when we do what is called a diurnal measurement. That is when we measure photosynthesis on the different plots over a 24-hour period. We have a set rotation on 15 of the plots and begin every four hours. A single rotation takes about 3 hours. Then we change the battery on the machine take a short break and then go back out for another rotation on the same plots. I willl work 8 hours, two rotations, and then the next guy will take over. After that I go back to the lab and do office kind of stuff such as post pictures, work on new journal entry, or analyze data from previous outings. In between, I eat, try to take in some recreation or go sight-seeing. I usually go to bed late and get up early.
The second kind of day is when am working almost all day in the lab. Once we are back in from doing a diurnal, there is a tremendous amount of data to analyze. I typically analyze photos that are taken witha special camera. It can give you an indication of how much green vegetation is in the area of study.
There have been other opportunities to go out with some of the scientists working on other projects as well. I have gotten very dirty on occasion but not every day. The machine we carry around weighs about 50 pounds and we carry it with a backpack. One thing I have found out by being here is that field work is very physically demanding.
I would love to come talk to your class about my adventures here.
It won't be long now and I'll be back in Spartanburg.