Inspiring and well said. I should have included "opportunities to experience awe" as one of my reasons for doing science. I've had some of those experiences - such as driving a submersible through a deep-sea blizzard of marine snow.
10,000 feet underwater on the flank of an extinct marine volcano (seamount) in the Gulf of Alaska. The pilot of the sub (Alvin) let me drive while he took a pee break. The snow was coming down in giant white flakes obscuring visibility beyond a few yards. I half-expected to see little Santa Clauses skiing down the slope. It was beyond surreal.
My first moment of "awe" was at a national park in Africa as well as subsequent trips to more denser forests. But now I find it possible to tap into that feeling in almost any quiet, remote area be it a desert or bush. For me it feels like the last refuge from human civilization, technology, etc.
This is why part of me wishes “take a walk in the woods,” at least every once in a while, was a requirement of every able-bodied citizen. That’s not viable, so the next best thing is to make it a regular part of public school curriculum.
Many of the primary (elementary) schools in my area now have periodic 'forest school' lessons, in woodland either on the school site or nearby -- is that a thing where you live?
I'm honestly not keyed into what local schools are teaching where I live, though "forest school" lessons sound awesome and I wish I had got to experience them as a kid.
Inspiring and well said. I should have included "opportunities to experience awe" as one of my reasons for doing science. I've had some of those experiences - such as driving a submersible through a deep-sea blizzard of marine snow.
Thanks Bradley. I love the image forming in my mind of driving a submersible through a deep-sea blizzard of marine snow. Where did you do that?
10,000 feet underwater on the flank of an extinct marine volcano (seamount) in the Gulf of Alaska. The pilot of the sub (Alvin) let me drive while he took a pee break. The snow was coming down in giant white flakes obscuring visibility beyond a few yards. I half-expected to see little Santa Clauses skiing down the slope. It was beyond surreal.
That sounds amazing. I had never thought about the possibility of underwater snow before.
My first moment of "awe" was at a national park in Africa as well as subsequent trips to more denser forests. But now I find it possible to tap into that feeling in almost any quiet, remote area be it a desert or bush. For me it feels like the last refuge from human civilization, technology, etc.
I recognize the feeling - indeed, most often I feel it in a forest, in any forest. Beautifully said!
This is why part of me wishes “take a walk in the woods,” at least every once in a while, was a requirement of every able-bodied citizen. That’s not viable, so the next best thing is to make it a regular part of public school curriculum.
Many of the primary (elementary) schools in my area now have periodic 'forest school' lessons, in woodland either on the school site or nearby -- is that a thing where you live?
I'm honestly not keyed into what local schools are teaching where I live, though "forest school" lessons sound awesome and I wish I had got to experience them as a kid.