Schools on Board: Leaving the Amundsen—by Helicopter!

Posted on October 12, 2011 by admin

October 4, 2011

This morning involved some final packing and clean up, followed by boarding the helicopter to go back to Kugluktuk. No one wanted to get off the ship, but getting another helicopter ride was still fun. Once everyone had been flown over, we started walking from the airport into the community of Kugluktuk. We joined the grade 12 science class and the students took us on a scavenger hunt designed to have us see most of town. Being in Kugluktuk was different because everyone knows each other, and all the people were greeting us and asking who we were.

When we got back to the school, we set up gym mats and sleeping bags on the floor of the school computer lab, our bedroom for the next two nights. Afterwards, we thought about our meals and went grocery shopping. There are only two stores in town: Northern and Co-op. Everything is really expensive and the selection is limited. For example, 12 cans of pop cost $20 and a bag of chips is $6. Fruits and vegetables had to be thoroughly inspected before being purchased. Nonetheless, the pasta we cooked for supper was delicious. —Karen Butt ’12

Échange St-Vincent, France: Le Louvre, la Joconde, Senlis, St-Vincent

Posted on October 7, 2011 by admin

6 octobre 2011

Quatre jours déjà et je tombe amoureuse de la France. La première journée, je suis arrivée le matin. J’ai rencontré Gwen et sa mère à l’aéroport. J’étais très fatiguée alors quand on est arrivé à la maison, j’ai dormi immédiatement. Le lendemain, c’était ma première journée d’école et j’étais très nerveuse. Quand je suis arrivée, j’ai réalisé qu’il n’avait aucune raison d’être dans cet état, car l’école est magnifique et toutes les personnes sont vraiment gentilles. Durant ma journée, j’ai rencontré des correspondants australiens et argentins. Le troisième jour, ma correspondante, Gwenaëlle, m’a emmenée à Senlis pour marcher dans la petite ville et c’était vraiment très beau. La quatrième journée, j’ai fait mon premier voyage à Paris avec tous les correspondants. Quand on est arrivé à Paris, nous avons visité le Grand palais et le Louvre. Au Louvre, j’ai vu la Joconde, et d’autres peintures célèbres de Leonardo Da Vinci et Michelangelo. On a appris beaucoup de choses sur la célèbre statue de Nike qui représente la victoire de Samothrace en 1863.–Brooke Stein ’13

Invisible Children Inspire

Posted on October 4, 2011 by admin

A surreal mood had set into the Velan Gym during assembly last Tuesday. Not a voice could be heard, not a single chair was squeaking and no feet were being shuffled. Only the constant breathing of 700 mesmerized students was heard. It was visible that the entire audience was stunned from the presentation by the organization featured in assembly, Invisible Children. From the very first minute of the presentation all the way till the very last second, a state of reflection seemed to have fallen over every student and staff member. The gruesome images, heartbreaking stories, and shocking facts about the war and child soldier abuse in Central Africa left the entire Lower Canada College community speechless but inspired. Though most of us sat there shocked throughout the entire 60 minutes, we were inspired to take a stand and help fight the cause. A Frontline Campaign was created within the LCC community to make a change and use the power we have to support others in need. —Yvonne Hercun ’12

Australian Exchange – Exploring Australia During Spring Break

Posted on October 4, 2011 by admin

As of now, I’m half way through my exchange to Australia, and I’m also half way through my Australian spring break! I’ve learned that an Australian spring is just like a Canadian fall! The weather is fairly cold most of the time, it rains daily, but the sun still shines bright! I’ve been able to make the best of this spring, and the break has given me a perfect opportunity to explore Australia.

Last weekend, I went to a wildlife sanctuary where I saw everything from birds to kangaroos, which was great! I tried holding a snake but we were just a minute too late for the reptile show.

The first thing I did during the break was go to the Royal Melbourne Show. There, I was able to see Melbourne for the first time, and also go to the biggest show of the year! The rides were fun, and I got to eat some very different Australian food, plus there were sheep walking around for people to pet.

Yesterday, I came back from an overnight trip to Apollo Bay where I went zip-lining through a rain forest. On our way back, we drove on a beautiful road filled with wild koalas. The koalas were all hidden in trees, but the family of my exchange student were great at spotting them! I even got close enough to almost touch a koala, but he started getting angry making loud noises when I got too close. I still took great photos of mother koalas with babies, close-ups, and koalas alone in trees trying to protect themselves from the wind and rain. We also drove along a scenic coastal road which gave me a view of the mountains and the ocean.

Finally, in my last week of my spring break, I’m going camping up north of where I’ve been living. I’m also going to hopefully get a beach day when spring turns into summer.

Half way through my exchange, I’m extremely excited to see the other half of what Australia has to show for me. I’ve gotten used to the life here, and I feel like I live here, after only 3 weeks! Australia is exotic yet similar to Canada, and I love it! —Jeff Morris ’13

Schools on Board: Phytoplankton and the Arctic Ecosystem

Posted on October 3, 2011 by admin

October 1, 2011

Today, we learned about phytoplankton, which is important because it is responsible for most of the primary production in the Arctic ecosystem. Scientists want to know if the Arctic Ocean will be emitting or absorbing CO2 in the future due to climate change.

It’s starting to feel like we will be leaving the ship really soon. We started discussing a farewell presentation for the scientists and crew. The helicopter pilot also started giving safety briefings to prepare us for getting off the ship.

Even though we are leaving soon, we are still doing exciting activities. The chief engineer gave us a tour of the engine room this afternoon. It was very loud and smelled like diesel, but it was cool to see the inner workings of the ship. What I found interesting was the fact that the heat from the engines is used to boil seawater in order to obtain freshwater for the ship. —Karen Butt ’12

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