A Day with Earth Scientists
Fifth graders had the opportunity to learn directly from scientists who are conducting research at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, a component of Columbia University’s Earth Institute in the Palisades. Mr. Parsons, St. B’s science teacher, is a regular visitor of the observatory and was eager to share this experience some of his students. The boys visited three areas of the observatory where they learned about different aspects of the earth sciences.
In the Tree Ring Lab, boys observed and touched tree samples, including a sample from a Siberian Pine tree in Mongolia that was more than 2,000 years old. They learned that scientists use an increment borer to safely extract a section of wood from a living tree. After using microscopes to analyze the rings, scientists are able to cross-date samples to reveal information about the ecology of forests. Tree rings can indicate how much rainfall there was at a particular time and when fires happened throughout history. The boys also learned that archaeologists use tree rings in their work to help date artifacts.
The Core Repository was another stop on this trip. Here the boys learned about the process that is used to retrieve sediment core samples from the bottom of the ocean. Lamont-Doherty has collected samples from all over the world, and they currently house over 19,000 core samples. The boys had the chance to see these samples, which are stored in long drawers and can be checked out by researchers from all of over the world. Through the study of cores, scientists determined that there were thirty ice ages. The ash in core samples also helped prove what caused the destruction of dinosaurs. The boys enjoyed exploring the dry core samples as well as the wet mud samples that are kept in a refrigerated area. The boys also enjoyed participating in an experiment where they cleaned samples to discover microfossils and volcanic ash through inspection under microscopes.
The boys used a special app in the Polar Geophysics Lab to explore evidence for climate change in the polar regions of the earth. After discussing how scientists use climate proxies, such as mud or ice cores which contain preserved physical characteristics of the past that stand in for direct meteorological measurements, the boys explored the data in a hands-on way. Through the app they explored the temperature of the ocean in different parts of the world and realized that its temperature can go below zero because of the salt in sea water. On an anomaly map, they explored temperature changes in different parts of the world and discovered that Antarctica has had the biggest shift in temperature. The boys also learned about the concept of feedback loops, which is happening in the Arctic as ice disappears. As the ice melts, dark ocean water absorbs more heat, accelerating the melting process. The boys navigated the app easily and longed for more time at the end of this session.
They boys had a wonderful time on this trip. We are grateful to the scientists who took time out of their days to talk with the boys and show them their laboratories. Special thanks to Mr. Parsons for organizing the trip and to Mr. Clavel, Mr. Demeny, and the parent chaperones.
