A poet's view of science

My latest research investigation is: A Poet's View of Science. The objective of this project was for students and educators to partake in a collaborative research investigation where poetry was used to describe scientific phenomenon and environments. This project was intended to enhance student learning and provide evidence of the biotic and abiotic factors that inhabit and are influencing the environments of the greater New York and New Jersey Metropolitan areas as well as the islands of Southern Dalmatian coast of Croatia. Furthermore, this marriage of literature and science to help increase one’s understanding of scientific information.

The project was conducted in a three part series. In part one: the JK tour Southern Dalmatia research team and the Science Academy Summer Science Poetry students from Morristown High School were brought together for a one day afternoon workshop in June 2010 that discussed the natural environment of Southern Dalmatia and the field sites that the summer science poetry students were to investigate. The research team and students identified the scientific instruments that were to be used on both field the expeditions.

In part two: seven students enrolled in the July 5th – 9th 2010 Science Academy Summer Science Poetry Program spent one week journeying to various field sites to write their own scientific poems about biotic and abiotic factors that inhabit influence the environment of the of the greater New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania metropolitan areas. At the conclusion of the research week, student and educator work was peer reviewed, shared in a Science Academy Summer Science Poetry Slam, and posted to an on-line discussion forum hosted through Moodle.

In part three, the JK tour Southern Dalmatia research team flew to Croatia and record qualitative and quantitative data on the biotic and abiotic factors that inhabit and are influencing the environment of the Southern Dalmatia Coast and islands of Croatia. The group journeyed to various field sites to write their own scientific poems. At the conclusion of the expedition educator work was peer reviewed, shared in a Southern Dalmatia research team Summer Science Poetry Slam, and posted to an on-line discussion forum hosted through Moodle.

Below you will find a daily logs from both the Science Academy Summer Science Poetry Program & the JK tour Southern Dalmatia research team's expedition.

Science Academy Summer Science Poetry Program Daily Log
Day 1: June 11, 2010: Science Academy Summer Science Poetry Program Preparation
Daily notes: I met with students both individually and as a group in order to disseminate information about the research program. We reviewed all of the instruments that would be used to gather data as well as the field guides that we were going to be using, We discussed the field bag that students were expected to pack and the contents of this bag. Students were able to meet some of the educators who were part of the JK Southern Dalmatian Research Team.


Day 2: June 30, 2010: Science Academy Summer Science Poetry Research Program Preparation
Daily notes: I purchased the research program supplies:
Notebooks
T-shirts
Field Guides
Food

I then spent three hours sorting all of the supplies into piles for each participant.

Day 3: July 2, 2010: Science Academy Summer Science Poetry Research Program Preparation
Daily notes: I spent five hours gathering and sorting all of the field guides into the appropriate piles, prepared and tested out all digital microscopy equipment, gathered binoculars, sampling nets, micro viewers, and waders. I called, e-mailed, and confirmed all of the field sites, transportation, and participants attending.

Day 4: July 5th: Bamboo Brook and Willowwood Arboretum, Chester, NJ
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and I shared my expectations and objectives for the research program. We discussed poetic forms, and sample poems that were representative of science poetry. We discussed where we were headed into the field and then boarded the bus to drive to the site. Despite the 99.4 F heat, we hiked through trails at the arboretum. We spent ½ hour keying out unknown trees. Several students learned how to use a field guide for the first time, a rather new experience for them. We found the following specimens: snake skin, leaves, berries, feathers, and tadpoles. We viewed blue birds that were nesting in the boxes in the field. We used the flip camera to help us record our thoughts as we wrote a group poem about trees of the arboretum seeming like Great Grandparents. When we returned back to the school we debriefed and began the poem writing process before dismissing for the day.

Day 5: July 6th: Peaceful Valley Orchards 150 Pittstown Road, Pittstown, NJ
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and sharing of poems that were generated by participants over night. We discussed where we were headed into the field and then boarded the bus to drive to the site. We took a tour of the property on a “straw wagon” with one of the farmer’s field assistants. We learned about the farm’s acreage, the various crops that they grow, their crop rotation schedule, the integrated pest management system that they use, the Rutgers’ University agriculture program, the animals that are supported by the farm, the farm land trust act, and the basics of running a small farming operation. We toured the hot houses, green houses, and the stables. We feed the animals and harvested flowers. When we returned back to the school we debriefed and began the poem writing process before dismissing for the day.

Day 6: July 7th: MERI: Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, Lyndhurst NJ
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and sharing of poems that were generated by participants over night. We discussed where we were headed into the field and then boarded the bus to drive to the site. We met with Danielle and Joe, two of the scientists who work for the NJ Meadowlands Commission MERI research Labs. After a brief introduction to the meadowlands ecosystem via power point and lecture, we dressed to go out into the wetlands to gather samples. With nets, monitors, and sterile sample containers in tow, we went out to various field locations and took water samples and data. We then went back into the labs and utilized wet chemistry techniques in order to analyze the samples that we gathered. We determined the turbidity, the pH, the clarity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and particulates. When we returned back to the school we debriefed. Some students were then ready to start working with the poems in garage band and generated pod casts of the poems. Other participants were using digital microscopy to gain a closer view of specimens that were going to be the subject of their poem. We shared our progress before dismissing for the day.

Day 7: July 8th: Beaver Brook Nursery, 267B Route 284, and Sussex NJ
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and sharing of poems that were generated by participants over night. We discussed where we were headed into the field and then boarded the bus to drive to the site. We met with Clay Allison the scientists and owner of the Nursery. He provided us with fascinating information regarding the plant cloning process. He demonstrated how to clone plants, and allowed us to touch and walk through all of the greenhouses. We asked a lot of questions. Participants were able to feel the passion that he had for his work. We openly discussed with Clay the poems that we were writing and he shared his thoughts with us. When we returned back to the school we debriefed and discussed the expectations for the Poetry Slam, which was to be held the following day. Some students then continued to work with the poems in garage band and generated additional pod casts of the poems. Other participants were using digital microscopy to gain a closer view of specimens that were gathered at the nursery. We shared our progress before dismissing for the day.

Day 8: July 9th: NJ Audubon, 11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, and NJ & Lord Sterling Environmental Center: 190 Lord Sterling Rd, Basking Ridge followed by: Summer Science Poetry Slam and Posting of Poems through Moodle.
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and sharing of poems that were generated by participants over night. We discussed where we were headed into the field and then boarded the bus to drive to the site. Four additional educators who were interested in the poetry that we were writing joined us. We started at Audubon were we went on a bird watch with the in house naturalist. We then spent time at the vernal ponds evaluating their remaining contents. We studied frogs in the mud of the pond. We then headed out to the Environmental Center. We hiked for about one hour on various trails making observations of everything that we were seeing along the way. When we returned back to the school we debriefed and had one hour of peer review and work time to prepare for the poetry slam. At 2 pm we gathered with our guests and participants shared their poems with the entire group. The slam lasted one hour. We completed the research program week with sharing our reflections of the various sites that we visited before dismissing for the day.



The JK tour Southern Dalmatia research team's expedition Daily Log


Day 1: June 11, 2010: Science Academy Summer Science Poetry Program Preparation
Daily notes: I met with students both individually and as a group in order to disseminate information about the research program. We reviewed all of the instruments that would be used to gather data as well as the field guides that we were going to be using, We discussed the field bag that students were expected to pack and the contents of this bag. Students were able to meet some of the educators who were part of the JK Southern Dalmatian Research Team.


Day 2: July 07, 2010: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team Group Preparation Meeting
Daily notes: I held a research briefing in Riverdale, NJ to discuss the itinerary, the expectations and objectives for the research investigation, and the equipment that would be coming into the field with the group. Additionally, we discussed poetic forms, what is science poetry, and read sample poems that were representative examples. We closed the meeting with discussion other equipment and gear individuals should bring with them on the expedition.

Day 3: July 13, 2010: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team in transit
Daily notes: Departure from JFK airport in NY, NY, arrival in Zurich Switzerland, departure from Zurich Switzerland, arrival in Split Croatia.

Day 4: July 14th: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team arrival in Split and Trogir
Daily notes: We checked into the hotel, walked around town, and went for a swim. The town was located on the Adriatic Sea and was called Trogir. The water was very salty and left a heavy residue on the skin. After dinner we relaxed before heading into bed.

Day 5: July 15th: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team departs Croatia and heads to Medjugorje in Bosnia / Herzegovina Countryside –walking tour
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and sharing of the night’s sleep after traveling to many hours. We discussed where we were headed and then a private car picked us up at 7 am. As we drove he shared with us the history of the region as we made our way two and a half hours to the village.

We then arrived at the home on Ante Grago, a young man in his early twenties who owned the pansion in which we stayed. He and his family were very kind. Ante arranged for us to have a driver for the duration of our stay and for his mom to cook all of our meals.

The hospitality that they outstretched was heart warming. They wanted us to experience Medjugorje and take in the spirit of the region without having to worry about transportation, money, or food.

The heat was rather oppressive... a mere 104 F - with high humidity which made in my mind - for the perfect day to be on a religious pilgrimage.

After settling into their pansion, we attended a Catholic service in the cathedral that was on site that was in French. It was very beautiful as the nuns, priests, and others in attendance were singing. We then proceeded to the outdoor sanctuaries surrounding the cathedral - one of which was a site where a large wooden cross hung and one could light candles for their intentions, another area was a path of wooden stations of the cross that had roses growing at the base of each station, a different area had gardens with sunflowers growing up to the heavens, a different area was a cemetery where there were very ornate above ground tombs all made of marble, yet another area was a series of six-foot tall sheltered tiled mosaics where the mysteries of light were being represented, the last area was most unusual - there was a very large metal mold and suspended cast of Jesus on the cross - towering twenty feet high in the air. The tradition was for those on
Pilgrimage to touch the right leg of Jesus where the statue was weeping. It was very touching - people came from all over the world with pieces of fabric and intentions that they wanted to touch to this special site. Apparently the statue started weeping two years ago at the site in which pilgrimagers had been reaching up to touch.

We then returned to the pansion for a dinner and water break before we departed to apparition hill. This hill is also known as Cross Mountain - this is where the children of the village first saw the visions of our lady. The climb to the site was most interesting. It was piles of sharp clay colored rocks that led straight up to the top of a small mountain. Within the crevasses of the rocks prayer intentions were tucked away. At the top of a mountain there was a beautiful statue of our lady surrounded by a star shaped fence and a cross of Jesus.

As you looked out into the landscape it was dotted with cypress trees, scrub bushes, and rock that seemed to continue for miles. You could look down at the surrounding village with the modest homes each with their own gardens and vineyards. Sounds of cicadas filled the air so loudly that at times it interrupted your thoughts and just made you stop and smile.
As I began my descent I started to sing and felt a beautiful sense of tranquility.

When we returned back to the pansion we debriefed. Some participants were ready to work on their poems while other participants wanted to talk with the owners of the pansion.


Day 6: July 16th: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team in Medjugorje, Bosnia / Herzegovina Countryside –walking tour departure back to Trogir
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and sharing of the poems that we composed last evening. We discussed where we were headed and then a private car to drive to the site.

We visited a Herzegovina Countryside village and a waterfall. The temperature was oppressive – 104F for the second day in a row. We swam in the waterfall and it brought us great relief from the heat.

After lunch we headed back to Croatia in order to meet up with the others who would meet us for the island tour via sailboat.

Day 7: July 17th: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team in Trogir. Trogir – Split, 12 mi. - biking
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and loaded our luggage onto the sailboat. After lunch we departed and met with the crew and other guests (there were 32 of us all together). We discussed where we were headed for the afternoon and evening and what we were expecting to see. Once we arrived in the port, the bikes were off loaded and we departed.

While riding the vistas were beautiful. I observed my first olive tree warbler. It looked at first glance very similar to the northern mocking bird. The roads were very steep and narrow. It was going to take some time before I adjusted to the bike and road conditions that were in Croatia.

After riding we reloaded the bikes and the boat departed for Omis.

After dinner we met on the third floor deck and debriefed. Participants were given the opportunity to share any poems or thoughts that they generated over the course of the day.

Day 8: July 18, 2010: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team in Omis – Cetina Canyon, Rafting
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and discussed where we were headed for the day and what we were expecting to see. We then departed for rafting.

Omis is a small town south of Spilt at the end of the Cetina Gorge that was carved by the River Cetina. Magistrala dominated the town. There are many old walls and fortresses clinging to the rocky cliffs. There are groups of male choirs that sing about love, fishing, and the sea called Klape.

When we were rafting, we were on the Cetina River. This river rises east of Knin and meets the sea in Omis. As a result there are lots of unique rock formations.

After rafting we returned to the boat and went for a brief swim. We then headed to the second floor deck where we analyzed and observed specimens that we collected throughout the day. We used digital microscopy and field guides to gather more information about the specimens before dinner.

After dinner we met on the third floor deck and debriefed. Participants were given the opportunity to share any poems or thoughts that they generated over the course of the day.

Day 9: July 19, 2010: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team on Brac Island, 19 mi. - biking

Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and discussed where we were headed for the day and what we were expecting to see. Once we arrived in the port, the bikes were off loaded and we departed.

Brac is the third largest island in Southern Dalmatia. On the steep bike ride today we were able to observe old vineyards that were no longer maintained in the interior. Apparently they are no longer active vineyards because decades ago the vines suffered from a vine lice (phylloxera). We also pasted regions of olive grooves, and orange trees. There were lots of cliff swallows and olive tree warblers.

After riding we stopped for a brief swim in Bol, which is a famous fishing village on the southern coast. It was very hot and the water was refreshing.

We then got back on our bikes and pedaled to the boat, which brought us to a port that was very famous for its marble. From a distance you could see the beauty of the marble.

When we arrived in the port we went for a brief swim and walk around town before dinner.

After dinner we met on the third floor deck and debriefed. Participants were given the opportunity to share any poems or thoughts that they generated over the course of the day.

Day 10: July 20, 2010: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team Pelješac Peninsula. & Mljet, 23 mi. - biking
Daily notes: We started the day with a quick swim and shared some early morning observations. Then after a little breakfast and discussed where we were headed for the day and what we were expecting to see. Once we arrived in the port, the bikes were off loaded and we departed into the National Park.

After riding for several miles we arrived at the entrance to the Mljet National Park. The park is unique because it is an unspoiled Mediterranean Forest that has two tidal salt-water lakes that are fed by a very small stream from the Adriatic. It is in this park where I was able to spend a few hours snorkeling and gathering specimens. I observed sea cucumbers, snails, fish, coral, sea fans, and sea squirts. The environment was very unique and I was struck how similar it looked to other areas that I had spent time in around the world. My mom was my research assistant.
After departing the National Park we headed back to the port where we went for a brief swim. It was here that we first encountered the sea urchins. They were in great numbers in the water here (one of the members of our group stepped on an urchin and the spines stuck in his foot).

After lunch, John had to have the sea urchin spines removed from his foot. During this process we encountered a pod of bottle nosed dolphins that swam along side of the sailboat for over 45 minutes.

After the sea urchin spines were removed from John’s foot, we headed to the second floor deck where we analyzed and observed specimens that we collected throughout the day. We used digital microscopy and field guides to gather more information about the specimens while sailing to the next port.

While sailing into the port, some of us headed off on a very difficult bike ride (12 mile ascent @ 10 degree grade in 104F then a long descent that made the whole trip worth it!)

After dinner we met on the third floor deck and debriefed. Participants were given the opportunity to share any poems or thoughts that they generated over the course of the day.

Day 11: July 21, 2010: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team sailing to Korcula Island, swimming / snorkeling
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and discussed where we were headed for the day and what we were expecting to see.

Today we opted to stay on the sailboat in order to get the chance to snorkel and swim in various bays throughout the day.

I spent several hours this day on the second floor deck where I analyzed and observed specimens that I collected throughout the day. I used digital microscopy and field guides to gather more information about the specimens before arriving in Vela Luka.

When we arrived in Vela Luka we headed into town for some local pizza and in an Internet café, I uploaded poems to the discussion forum for the students back home to read and comment about.

After dinner we sailed to a different port and decided to push off our debriefing until tomorrow because we wanted to explore the old town.


Day 12: July 22, 2010: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team on Hvar Island, 28 mi. – biking
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and discussed where we were headed for the day and what we were expecting to see. Once we arrived in the port, the bikes were off loaded and we walked the town before departing by bike.

Lavender is the main crop of this island. While riding you smelled the odor of lavender lingering in the air. After riding for some time we stopped for a coffee break at a small café that provided views of the mountains and lavender fields on one side and the ocean on the other side. The island has a very steep central ridge of limestone and jagged inlets.

When we returned to the boat before lunch we headed out for a brief swim.

After lunch we went on another bike ride through Stari Grad. It is a region of Hvar where there are walled gardens and artistic influences. The famous works of poet Petar Hektorovic could be found here. (He wrote a famous 1680 line poem about fishing and the sea in 1556 called Ribanje I ribarsko prigovaranje.)

Before dinner we met on the third floor deck and debriefed. Participants were given the opportunity to share any poems or thoughts that they generated over the course of the day. After dinner we headed into town.

Day 13: July 23, 2010: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team on Solta Island, 12 mi. – biking and sailing back to Trogir
Daily notes: We started the day with a little breakfast and discussed where we were headed for the day and what we were expecting to see. Once we arrived in the port, the bikes were off loaded and we departed.

Solta is known for its fields of olives, locust beans, figs, lavender, and rosemary. The views from the summit of the island were incredible. After cycling we headed out for a long swim.

The sailboat departed and we started to make our way back to Trogir. Along the way we stopped for some swimming.

After lunch we met on the third floor deck had a half hour of peer review and work time to prepare for the poetry slam. At 4 pm we gathered with some of our new friends and participants shared their poems with the entire group. The slam lasted one hour. We completed the research expedition week with sharing thoughts that were generated over the course of the trip.

Day 14: July 24, 2010: JK tour Southern Dalmatia Summer Science Poetry Research Team disembark in Trogir depart for the airport: arrival back in USA.
Daily notes: We started the day with a quick ride to the airport very early in the morning (4:30 am)
After a quick breakfast we shared our thoughts about the trip and reflected as a group. We then traveled back to the USA.