The "Ocean Watch"

Today our homeschool group went to OMSI to see the "Ocean Watch", a  ship which is on the last leg of a trip around the Americas.  It's on a scientific and educational mission to gather data about climate change and how it is effecting the oceans and the weather, and to share their experience as they go.  They left Seattle last year and sailed above Canada to reach the east coast, something which was once impossible and is becoming easier each year to do.  Then they  sailed all the way around the southern tip of South America and back up the west coast, making scheduled stops to talk to the public about their journey and their mission.  The kids were really excited to see their ship, and to see where the crew have lived.    Rather than having a specific presentation, they invited the kids to explore their ship and ask questions.  The kids were really impressed with these windows!  Here David Thoreson, their cameraman and photographer, invites the kids to come to his "office" and say hello.  Jasper was really impressed with Mr. Thoreson, and found him to be very kind.  Most of the eight crew have not shared the entire journey, but Mr. Thoreson has been sailing on the "Ocean Watch" for the entire year.  He says he will be glad to go home, but also very sad to see this wonderful trip end.  More about the "Ocean Watch" can be found here:  http://www.aroundtheamericas.org/  and they created K-8 curriculum to help students learn about the science behind their journey which is posted here: http://www.aroundtheamericas.org/log/education-materials/  (Note:  The lessons I looked at turned out to be inventive group activities, so unless you have a large family,  doing them may be a good excuse to get some friends together to help.)