海角直播

Publish Date: April 25, 2018

Christopher Olivera looks for ways to show his students that science is not boring. So when he learned a bioluminescence phenomenon was occurring in Big Sur along the central California coast, the 海角直播 instructor of microbiology asked his students: 鈥淲hy don鈥檛 we go and look at it, and found out why it鈥檚 happening?鈥�

And they did.

The turnaround trip took place Feb. 17-18 when Olivera and students Alexandra Rapper, Robert Norbrhyn, Emily Wood and Liza Ramilo headed up the coast to conduct research and bring samples of the water affected back to CHC.

鈥淲e had to be quick with the planning because the event was happening then and there,鈥� Olivera said by phone last week.

National Geographic describes a bioluminescence as a 鈥渘aturally luminescent phenomenon鈥� caused by a phytoplankton bloom, which NSA defines as 鈥減lant-like organisms that are important for carbon cycling鈥� but 鈥渃ould also influence clouds and climate.鈥� The organisms - known as dinoflagellates - flash light in response to a predator approaching its area, like tiny shrimp, said Olivera.

The group arrived at Pfeiffer State Beach before dark on Feb. 17. Olivera said the arrival time gave them enough leeway to set up necessary material to capture the phenomenon on camera and collect samples of the affected waters and headed back to camp because to 鈥渢ruly witness鈥� the bioluminescence first-hand, you had to be 鈥渜uite far away from it,鈥� he explained.

鈥淯nfortunately, it was very, very hazy that evening. So, it made it difficult to track,鈥� Olivera continued. 鈥淏ut for my students, I can tell you they had a blast. They were jumping for joy to do something hands-on.鈥�

Samples brought back to 海角直播 are currently growing in the microbiology department鈥檚 lab. The idea is to not only characterize these microorganisms, but also better understand the effects climate change has on our oceans, Olivera said.

Moving forward, Olivera hopes the success of this trip will open the doors for more hands-on learning opportunities outside of the classroom, but it all has to do with timing and funding.

鈥淢y goal is to encourage the idea that science is not boring,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ecause it serves a purpose in making the world a better place.鈥�