The REUs arrived this week at Old Dominion University and they are ready to work hard and play hard. Everyone had arrived the day after memorial day weekend and moved into the dorms on campus. This week was especially hard with near record-breaking temperatures this week. The next morning we started the day with a welcome from the REU staff – Dr. Harvey, Shannon, and Lauren, as well as introducing the students Dr. Fred Dobbs the department chair. The students took a tour around campus given by Lauren and Shannon. Along the way of touring ODU, we filled out paperwork for getting paid. We also went around the important places on campus the bookstore, library, Webb center, and where they can find food and the sports recreation center where they can work out and rent sporting equipment such as kayaks that they could use to collect samples.

Due to the hot weather, our introductory picnic was moved inside the ocean science and physics building, where we had a nice air-conditioned pizza party.  The REU students were able to talk to graduate students and faculty throughout the Ocean Earth and Atmospheric Sciences department. This is an important event as it serves as an ice breaker to start conversations with people they will be working with all summer.

Before the students get their research projects started for the 10-week period and we would like to make sure they have the Lab Safety training prior to jumping into their lab work. The students took a Lab safety training on Friday followed by lunch with Dr. Joanna Garner, one of Old Dominion University’s celebrated educational psychologists and Research Associate Professor at the Center for Educational Partnerships.

Norfolk and Old Dominion University are very involved in local environmental projects. Every year there is an annual Save the Bay Day where the local community members volunteer to pick up litter all over parts of the Southern Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, the event was rained out with a bad storm in the morning, where the Chesapeake Bay foundation decided to postpone the event to a later date. Luckily by noon, the rain cleared where thereafter we went to Dr. Harvey’s home for a group lunch with plenty of goodies and food fresh off the grill. The students got to relax and play badminton and kayak and get ready for the busy weeks ahead.