CSAS ES Atoms get Lesson on Oceanography

Thursday, November 2, 2023: Our 5th-grade students were lucky to have a visit from Dr. Leanne Powers, assistant professor of chemistry at SUNY ESF. Her specialty is Oceanography, and she studies the chemistry that takes place in the ocean waters.

Dr. Powers showed Atoms pictures from expeditions she calls "science parties at sea.” She explained some of the work she's done in laboratories on vessels of various sizes, explained the types of equipment that are used to collect samples from the ocean, and discussed how the ocean is different at 4,000 meters than we might expect.

We learned that styrofoam cups have all of the carbon crushed out of them at that depth, resulting in a new miniature version of the original cup! 

We ended the visit with the promise of our very own decorated cups going on the next ocean expedition with Dr. Powers. She agreed to return them for us to keep in our STEAM room!