Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2016 - (Page 34)
Research
at the
Edge of
the World
by Stephanie Huang
Last summer, my school hosted a unique field research
expedition: eleven of my fellow students, two of our
teachers, and I traveled to the Svalbard Islands in the
High Arctic. For two weeks we researched evidence of
climate change through projects such as measuring
water variables like pH and salinity. For my project, I
investigated the impact of global warming on Svalbard
reindeer migration patterns.
When I returned home, I unpacked both the blessing and curse of new knowledge. I wanted to make
an immediate impact, so I opted not to turn on the air
conditioning that night. At least it's something, I told
myself. The next day, I threw out all my aerosol products. The next week, I convinced my parents to stop
watering our lawn. And when school started, I shared
my photos-along with my thoughts about climate
change and what our school could do about it-with
my school's newspaper and magazine.
With each small act, I felt empowered and optimistic. No longer part of the problem, I was becoming part
of the solution. I think that is how our planet will be
saved-not by grand gestures or scientific miracles. It
will be saved one small act at a time.
34
imagine
A polar bear danger sign on
the island of Svalbard, located
halfway between Norway and
the North Pole.
After 48 hours of traveling, I looked out my airplane window and saw the tips
of snow-covered mountains peaking through the clouds. Our first stop was
Longyearbyen, the administrative center of the Svalbard archipelago. Groggy
and half-asleep from the stress of multiple airplane transfers, we were instantly
awakened by the crisp, clean Arctic air as we made our way to our tour bus.
Our guides brought us to a museum in the center of this small town, which
had exhibits on all the wildlife that could be found on this cluster of islands. I
couldn't wait to see these animals in the wild.
A pteropod, commonly
known as the sea butterfly.
The Arctic waters are home not only to large animals such as orcas and narwhals,
but to many smaller, lesser-known organisms such as pteropods. Some species
of pteropods have thin, delicate shells that are extremely sensitive to changes in
the environment. The fluctuation of the pteropod population in the Arctic could
therefore be an important indicator of the effect global warming has on rising
ocean temperatures or changes in ocean acidity.
Mar/Apr 2016
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2016
Big Picture
In My Own Words Senator Barbara Mikulski
Run, Ride, Sell! Funding causes that matter
Start Something! Initiatives by kids, for kids
Changing Lives, One School at a Time Making a difference for students in need
Empowered to Make a Difference The Civic Leadership Institute at CTY and CTD
Sharing the Gifts of Music The Forget-Me-Not Family Ensemble
Service, Leadership, Entrepreneurship . . . Launch! Learning the art of the startup at MIT Launch
Sharing the Rewards Building a shadowing program for my peers
Discovering the Leader Within Exploring leadership and social justice at Brown
Gap Year A time to refresh, serve, and grow
Research at the Edge of the World An Antarctic photo essay
Selected Opportunities and Resources
Off the Shelf Review of Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options Interview with entrepreneur Henry Albrecht, CEO, Limeade
One Step Ahead My college startup
Planning Ahead for College Skills and knowledge for college success
Students Review: Lehigh University
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games
Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20160506_LTB
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20160304_CTW
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20160102_JHB
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20151112_DSS
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20150910_RUR
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20150506_WSH
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20150304_TGB
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20150102_IDS
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20141112_ASE
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20140910_PBD
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20140506_BDA
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20140304_SHD
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20140102_JUS
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20131112_MX5
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20120910_CTD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20130910_AFN
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20130506_PLQ
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20130304_TRB
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20130102_GME
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20121112_LRH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20120910_YBS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20120506_B2H
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20120304_P3A
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20120102_FMS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20111112_TAML
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20110910_ATSP
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20110506_DMI
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20110304_MIV
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20110102_JFH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20101112IMJHND
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20100910QTVS1
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20100506_INH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20100304_SFF
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20090102_v2
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com