Dalton educator spends time on water as 'Teacher at Sea'
Dalton teacher Laura Grimm spent 18 days this summer aboard the research vessel Thomas Jefferson, an over 200-foot research vessel, taking part in the Teacher at Sea program held by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
For Laura Grimm, what might be the trip of a lifetime for most was instead just a slice of life.
Grimm, a STEM teacher in the Dalton district, spent July 4-22 on the NOAAS Thomas Jefferson, an over 200-foot research vessel, as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Teacher at Sea program.
Grimm, who applied in fall 2019 to take part in the 30-year-old program, was originally selected by the NOAA for a 2020 trip in the Gulf of Maine but had her trip delayed for two years. Like just about everything else these past couple years, the pandemic got in the way.
She remained optimistic something else would come up. Grimm then learned in late-April of this year she would sail Lake Erie as part of an expedition to help scientists do a hydrographic survey of Lake Erie.
That survey included mapping the floor of Ohio’s Great Lake in the vicinity of Cleveland, South Bass Island — home to Put-In-Bay — and Presque Isle, Pennsylvania. The goal was to identify hazards and changes in the lake floor to provide data for charts that help make maritime travel safe, Grimm explained.
When the trip finally got here — Grimm was one of seven United States teachers to take part of it — the wait proved worth it. She didn’t go far, but she saw and learned plenty.
The trip began on land with the NOAA providing information, training and things to study before setting sail.
“I learned more than I ever imagined about the science of hydrography, what it takes to live on a ship and all of the careers represented by those I lived with on the ship,” Grimm said. “Connecting children with nature, promoting STEM education and being a lifelong learner are three of my life goals. This research opportunity checked all three boxes.”
Grimm said doing hydrographic surveys includes such activities as echo-sounding, tide gauge installation, dive operations, shore-side surveying, shoreline verification and mapping, data processing, and drafting.
“Small-boat and survey launch work is conducted during daylight operations,” she said, “whereas ship operations may occur during the day or night.”
Grimm said while on board teachers can expect to assist with the acquisition of survey data on launches, scan data to assist with final processing of data, and ride on small support boats to help with the installation of shore positioning stations and tide gauges.
Grimm went in to the project hoping to learn, and that’s exactly what happened.
“My expectations were met and exceeded,” she said. “I learned so much about the science behind hydrography, but I also learned what it was like to live at sea. The crew were so dedicated to their work and were excited to answer all of my questions — everyone from the commanding officer, deckhands, stewards, to the engineers, helmsmen and NOAA corps officers.”
She also headed in with some trepidation. As Grimm explained on one blog post, she began having doubts about her worthiness, as nerves began to kick in. She found herself questioning why she had even applied to the program at all, whether she could be a success as a Teacher at Sea or whether she had the knowledge, skills and fortitude to thrive on the ship.
And why not? The water, whether oceans or Great Lakes, is a mysterious thing. Most never experience more than the surface. And hardly anyone ever rides for three weeks on a boat of any kind.
Eventually, Grimm’s doubts went away — not without help, though.
She attributed four things with getting her over her temporary hesitation. One was her husband, whom Grimm called her chief cheerleader. Another thing was a saying on a teabag that said, “Personal growth lies within the unknown — courage permits you to explore this space.” Her daughter helped by reminding Grimm of a poem that ended with the lines, “What are you going to do with your one wild, precious life?” “That’s right,” Grimm wrote. “You only go around once. Take the bull by the horns, so to speak. Jump on and hold tight. Life is short, and the world is wide.” Finally, she was encouraged the NOAA showed faith in her to give her the opportunity.
“They have seen many a teacher come and go,” Grimm said. “They believed I had what it took to be successful. I chose to believe them.”
Turns out they were right. Grimm, who documented her odyssey on her blog at https://noaateacheratsea.blog/author/lauramgrimm/, learned her fears were unfounded, among other things.
After reflecting a bit, Grimm was asked whether she would like to do something like that again. The answer came easily.
“I would most definitely do something like this again if I ever had the opportunity,” she said. “I am a life-long learner. I yearn to learn. My NOAA (Teacher at Sea) experience has ignited me to create new lessons and encourage my students to consider future STEM careers. Teachers who participate in real-world professional-development opportunities are well equipped to bring learning to life for their students.
“Teachers who are passionate about what they teach are in a better position to make their students excited about learning.”