Seth Ostheimer walking along the Southeast Alaskan Coast.  

Photo: Troy Hottle.

      We are a group of students from Hiram College that emphasizes a hands on liberal arts approach to our undergraduate studies.  The college believes that study abroad programs play an integral role in this learning format and as such close to 60% of Hiram students participate in study abroad trips at least once during their undergraduate studies.  We constitute four of sixteen students, who have been granted the unique opportunity of traveling around the world.  This is the first program of its nature to be offered by Hiram College and possibly the first such program ever offered by a US college or university.  While the purview of our studies for this trip focuses on biology and a study of literature surrounding Alexander von Humboldt (a German scientist from the 18^th century) the four of us have varied educational backgrounds and focuses which allow for four very different perspectives and interpretations of what we have and will continue to observe while on this trip.

            Von Humboldt focused on expanding humanity’s knowledge of the world through precise measurements and detailed examination of the areas he had explored.  This created a snapshot of what these areas were at the times he visited them.  He documented species and geological formations, created detailed maps and descriptions of the landscapes he saw, and even provided commentary on some social issues such as his views on slavery.  This snapshot allowed for a means of comparison.  His work has served as a reference point allowing for the realization of the effects and impacts of larger human populations, the introduction of invasive plants and animals, and even geologic changes such as the growth of mountains. 

            While we do not have the time or the equipment to focus on as many subjects as von Humboldt did, we understand humanities heavy reliance on the oceans for sustenance and survival.  As such we have decided to focus on the micro-marine environments we visit while on our trip around the world in an attempt to provide a snapshot of these areas that will allow for future comparison which may allow or act as a measurement of aquatic health in these regions.  Observations of relative population densities may help us to perceive and better understand the impacts of threats such as pollution and climate change as they grow.  Like von Humboldt we understand that the facts will change a fish once common in January to Ulua (sp?) Bay may become a rare sight or vice versa.  Yet also like von Humboldt we understand that the realization of these changes is an important key to the future of Humanity and as such a very serious matter.  It is our hope that Hiram will maintain this trip as a bi-yearly class so that future generations of Hiram students can build upon our initial observations; however, this cannot be guaranteed and, even if it were, the more data the better so we ask for your help.  We encourage you to provide us with feedback and any observations you may have if you visit any of these sites.  The more information, the better our understanding and the more likely we will be able to realize threats in their early stages and perhaps correct them before we are too late.

Anemones in Alaskan tide pools, Juneau.

Photo: Steven Shaak

    Our first stop was the Shrine of St. Therese in South East Alaska, 22-23 miles north of Juneau.  We never entered the water at this location, but we did explore the tide pools during low tide on a couple of occasions and were able to see marine mammals from the shore.   The marine mammals included, Humpback Whales on an almost daily basis, Stellar sea lions always seen in groups of 3-20+,harbor seals, and occasional lone fur seals.  The presence of these mammals indicated that there was a healthy stock of herring in the area and we did see a herring that had died along the shore line.

            At our second stop in Hawaii we actually got to enter the water in the form of off shore snorkeling.  We saw several varieties of tropical fish, a species of turtle, whales, mollusks, and even a squid.  The locations we snorkeled at included Ulua Beach, Black Rock, and a site a few miles south of Ulua beach.  We also examined coastal tide pools in these areas where we saw several other species of fauna.

Eel on Hawaiian reef.

Photo: Steven Shaak.

HAWAII

More Information

• 1A Evolution of Science
• 1B Caverns and Mountains
• 1C Humboldt's Shoes
• 1D Aquatic Blog
• 2A Evolution of a Scientist
• 2B Night Thoughts of College Explorers
• 2C Beware of Baggage
• 2D American Progress
• 3A Evolution of Uncertainty
• 3B Shades of Grey
• 3C An Uncertain Discussion
• 3D Political Uncertainty
• 4A Evolution of Control
• 4B A Scientist's Sanitarium
• 4C The Many Facets of Knowledge
• 4D Cultural Control