by Dana Eisinger (year 32)
The purpose of this project was to provide service to the marine center while gaining knowledge and experience through the assigned tasks. We went with the hope of exploring some of our own interests of marine biology and the functioning of the center. Our time spent there was divided into service and participation.
Service: - clearing rainforest trail - measuring and transferring collections of sediment - measuring abalone and recording data - assisting with dock dives
Participation: - boat dredge - 2 lab experiments - rainforest walk and fungi search - lecture presentations - demonstration of nudibranch dissection - basketball night at the local school with people of the community
In our providing the hours of service, the staff at the marine center were then able to get other more demanding work done. This project also created an understanding between the marine center and Pearson College concerning the other's work and values. The staff at Bamfield had as many questions for us as we did for them.
I gained a better understanding of the work that is being done at Bamfield. I discovered a whole other side of the center, that of Public Education, that I hadn't even considered before. Their goals at Bamfield are not only centered around research, but also preservation and education.
Another good thing about the project was that we got the chance to spend the week in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by forest mountains and ocean, allowing us to appreciate the beauty of the area. (This was one of my favorite parts) We tried to contribute to others in any way we could, not only in service but also just in sharing ideas.
NEXT AND LAST: TAKING A GREAT BREAK
photos contributed by Dana Eisinger
Some sample projects
Vancouver Food Bank
Vancouver Soup Kitchen
Metchosin House
Teaching about the UN
Cultural Ambassador
War Child
Media
Tofino Botanical Gardens
Hike
Bamfield Marine Science
Taking a great break