Sunday, June 22, 2008
Wow! So, I am finally here. Months of anxiety and nervousness about anything JASON has finally led to this. Although "bootcamp" is in DC and not all that far from home, I am still really glad that I get to be away from my house and to meet all these really interesting people – people who I am lucky enough to spend the next two years working with.
Today I arrived at the GW dorms at around 4:00 pm. Because most of the people were arriving by airport, I had a little time before they arrived at the dorms too. Therefore, I got a brief beginning interview by a cameraman named Dave, and it was really nerve-racking! I always thought being on camera would be pretty simple, but it isn't – it's scary! Hopefully I will become more at ease throughout the week, but having that opportunity was definitely interesting.
After running back to the dorms through the rain, we all went to the basement, and then had our first "formal" meeting, which was an introduction to our work with JASON. We received our super-cool red JASON gear, which consisted of large red t-shirts, water bottles, journals, a vest, and a binder that had all the information we needed. We also played team-building exercises. One of them, the "pretzel" we found incredibly difficult – it is an exercise where you clasp hands with people and then have to untangle yourself as a group. Although we were not completely successful, the experience taught me, and showed me that as a team we will always persist to solve the impossible. Just by playing that game, I saw a glimpse of the character of people I am to work with in the coming months and years, and what I experienced has made me even more excited for the journey I am about to embark on.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wow – today was really busy. We had to wake up early (5:30 am!) in order to eat breakfast at 7. Then, until 11, we went to a classroom and learned a little more in depth about JASON and the programs. It was really cool, getting to the see videos of the Argonauts from previous JASON adventures, and to know that I am going to part of that for the next couple of years.
We then went to the Department of Energy. There, we were able to see some really amazing things. For example, we learned about different and alternative methods of creating energy for our use, and we also saw two plug-in hybrid cars which are supposed to come on the market in 2010. Hope I get one!
They gave us the opportunity to walk and sit inside the cars, which were amazing. It was pretty cool to be able to see new and innovative technology that not a lot of people are able to see. Then we walked all over DC with Ranger Kelly, who talked a lot. My feet hurt, but it was an interesting experience to spend with my fellow Argonauts, because I saw how we were capable of getting through a lot with a few moans and laughs. The day was busy, and I think it might be an indicator of what is to come…
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Ahhh! Today was definitely one filled with nerves, fun, and science! We went to Six Flags America – the Amusement Park. We were paired into groups of three – I was with Argos Lindsay and Tim. We conducted various experiments to study the physics of rollers coasters using g-forces and potential, thermal, and kinetic energy. We also had the opportunity to ride the roller coasters, which was…not fun. They were scary. I rode two – the Roar and the Wild One. Both were old wooden roller coasters, which made it all the more terrifying. In fact, the crew decided to film me before riding the Roar in order to show everyone my fear. However, knowing the physics behind roller coasters made me more confident when riding them, so I'm glad I rode on them. I conquered a fear.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Today had to be one of my favorite days – and the busiest too! In the morning we ate breakfast at 7:00 am, and then we headed to the new Nationals Park for a pre-game tour of the green "eco-friendly" stadium. I'm glad at least some places are beginning to acknowledge the energy efficiency problems that we have. In fact, our tour guide told us that many other stadiums are, or will be, following in the footsteps of the Nationals, and become greener themselves.
Afterwards, we ran off in taxis, grabbed a quick lunch, and walked up the stairs of the Capitol to meet Congressman Mollohan, who is a congressman from West Virginia. Although I may not agree with the congressman's views about energy and coal, I still admired him for being able to connect science to politics – something I hope to do in the future.
We then went to the Nuclear Energy Institute and learned a whole lot about nuclear energy. I had never really supported the idea of nuclear energy, but after listening and having the opportunity to ask my own questions, I realized that perhaps nuclear energy isn't such a bad idea after all.
Then we went to the Nationals game and they won for the first time in a really long time! Now, as I write this journal, we are on the bus to West Virginia, which we will reach at 3:00 am. I am really tired, but today was fun.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Okay…I know I have been saying "Wow, today was busy" everyday, but guess what? The same is going to be said today! We arrived in West Virginia at about 3 am this morning. Lindsay and I were roommates, but we only slept for 3 hours because we had to wake up at 6 – bright and early! It was raining outside as we rode over to go to the National Energy Technology Lab (NETL), where we heard a little more about energy sources – particularly coal. They described a safe method of CO2 storage called "sequestration". We even got to see a model of it – it's pretty cool because I never thought that the horror of CO2 emissions could be avoided. After, we ate pizza and further bonded as a group. We then went to the Allegany Power Plant. I was so tired (Still am) but it was fun to see. We got to see a lot, and we even wore hardhats and walked into 100 degree temperatures indoors!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Today was white water rafting day! It was a lot of fun. We sat in rafts, in groups of 6 or 7 and went down a river in West Virginia. In fact, we didn't realize initially, but the trip was actually energy-related. As we tumbled down the waves, we explored how the energy of the waves was moving us.