Wednesday - November 18, 2009 - A Night at the Museum
Teacher Argonaut Cindy Duguay

Today was another great day with JASON. After finishing our first mission at the National Energy Technology Lab (NETL), the Argos went out and did some exploring on their own. On the way to Washington DC, we stopped at an amazing geological formation -- a syncline called Sideling Hill. We could see many layers of the Earth that have formed over millions of years. The layers had been exposed while building a road. After a brief tour, the Argos did some of their own research, and even filmed their own video on the geologic history of the region -- they never cease to amaze me.

Argos Cindy and Emily at Sideling Hill in Maryland.

The Student Argos reporting back on their findings at Sideling Hill.

Once we arrived in Washington, we began our next mission with Dr. Mike Wise from the Smithsonian Institution. He is an incredibly passionate and brilliant scientist who studies rocks called pegmatites. Dr. Wise showed us around the absolutely incredible collection of rocks and minerals at the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History while giving us our mission briefing. This really helped put all of Operation: Tectonic Fury into perspective as we learned about the building blocks of our planet: rocks and minerals. Pegmatite in particular is a fascinating rock. Not only is it beautiful, but it is a critical element of many of the things we use every day like cell phones, computers, video game consoles and even cars.

The Argos and Host Researcher Dr. Mike Wise explore the magnificent collection of pegmatites at the Smithsonian Institution.

Dr. Wise prepping the Argos for their mission to a pegmatite mine in Virginia.

It was a rare opportunity to get to explore parts of the museum at night, and we can’t wait to get out in the field with Dr. Wise tomorrow. It an indescribable pleasure to be around people who share such a powerful sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around us. Geologic formations are truly the story of our Earth's history; each rock has its own story to tell. It is up to us to figure them all out.

An enormous amethyst quartz from my home state of Maine.

One of the incredible pegmatites on display at the Smithsonian Institution.

Reflections from a Teacher Argonaut
My own personal experience with JASON started ten years ago with the Hawaii Expedition. Martha Field and I were both JASON lead trainers covering southern Maine for the Maine Math Science Alliance. I then attended a conference where I met my first Teacher Argonaut. I was truly inspired. Since then, I have always wanted to be an Argo myself.

The opportunity to get to work alongside a Host Researcher was something I knew I wanted -- not just for myself, but to be able to share it with my students. That has become real now!

The wonderful excitement and enthusiasm that JASON provides for students still continues today. For me, the adventure of learning is so much fun. What I enjoy, is never knowing what learning opportunity will come up next, and being able to get out of the classroom and learn alongside researchers and students. It is really cool to be seeking knowledge at the same time as the students. We share our findings together and collaborate on what we've learned.

What impresses me is that the students are so self driven and passionate about their learning. For example, at breakfast, they were planning when they would have time to write in their team journals at night. They are always asking questions and seeking to find the answers.

In my time here, I have asked each researcher what got them interested in their careers. I find this especially important to bring back to my students, since there are so many interesting paths in science and no one way to achieve success.

Yesterday we met Kelly Rose who is studying methane hydrates in the Arctic and the Alaskan Continental Shelf. She said that a fifth grade science teacher hooked her, and with the support of a few other good teachers along the way, she is now able to do something she loves. It seems like every researcher we meet has had a few great teachers who helped 'light the spark' of inspiration within them.

Kelly also relayed a common theme that I am hearing from many scientists as well: at each step in a student's journey - be it from high school to college, or college to a career - you have to ask yourself what you like doing and what are you good at. Once you find that out, you can then pursue opportunities that really allow you to fulfill your passions. Both George Guthrie and Mike Wise echoed those important sentiments.

One of the great things I am taking away from this experience is the realization that I can make an important difference in students' lives. With so many challenges facing the next generation -- I truly hope I can.

Dr. David Brezinski and Dale Shelton from Maryland Geologic Survey (MGS) giving us a brief tour of an incredible syncline -- Sideling Hill.	Dr. Mike Wise and the Argos at the Smithsonian Institution's Rocks and Minerals Collection.
Dale Shelton explaining the different characteristics of some of the rocks at the Sideling Hill syncline.	A 'rainbow of minerals' on display at the Smithsonian Institution's incredible rocks and minerals display.