Kayaking in the Bay
Allison Cui (Cluster 10)
The morning of our first weekend in COSMOS, we woke up in anticipation of the activities ahead of us. We were all going to the Santa Cruz boardwalk to kayak and see wildlife.
Upon arriving at the beach, though the weather was gray, gloomy, and windy, but nothing could keep us from having fun! Some students waded through the freezing cold water, while others stayed on the warm sand, huddled over playing cards or standing in circles to play volleyball. It hadn’t even been an hour yet, but everyone was already having the time of their lives.
Soon, the beach warmed up, as the clouds disappeared and the blue sky emerged above us—the water went from freezing to cool, and the sand from warm to burning. Some clusters were out in the ocean kayaking, while others passed the time playing cards, swimming in the water, and making new friends. While some students chose to sprawl out in the sun, many chose to huddle under canopies while feasting on the provided sandwiches, bags of chips, and especially the chocolate chip cookies.
Despite the enjoyment on the beach, the highlight of the trip was definitely kayaking. After a brief safety talk, when we finally paddled our kayaks out past the wharf, we could hear seals barking in the distance and smell the salt filling the air. The flowing of the indigo tide was hypnotic, and the view was absolutely gorgeous. We drifted over kelp beds, looking out for kelp crabs and snails, gaped at sea otters, and observed pods of seals sunbathing.
By the time everyone had returned to campus, tired but happy, the first weekend of COSMOS seemed to be an objective success.
Upon arriving at the beach, though the weather was gray, gloomy, and windy, but nothing could keep us from having fun! Some students waded through the freezing cold water, while others stayed on the warm sand, huddled over playing cards or standing in circles to play volleyball. It hadn’t even been an hour yet, but everyone was already having the time of their lives.
Soon, the beach warmed up, as the clouds disappeared and the blue sky emerged above us—the water went from freezing to cool, and the sand from warm to burning. Some clusters were out in the ocean kayaking, while others passed the time playing cards, swimming in the water, and making new friends. While some students chose to sprawl out in the sun, many chose to huddle under canopies while feasting on the provided sandwiches, bags of chips, and especially the chocolate chip cookies.
Despite the enjoyment on the beach, the highlight of the trip was definitely kayaking. After a brief safety talk, when we finally paddled our kayaks out past the wharf, we could hear seals barking in the distance and smell the salt filling the air. The flowing of the indigo tide was hypnotic, and the view was absolutely gorgeous. We drifted over kelp beds, looking out for kelp crabs and snails, gaped at sea otters, and observed pods of seals sunbathing.
By the time everyone had returned to campus, tired but happy, the first weekend of COSMOS seemed to be an objective success.
Separating Laundry
Kevin Wang and Andrew Yu (Cluster 9)
Laundry at COSMOS is in excessive demand. Especially during recreational time, the laundry room is packed with activity. We all want to just quickly put our dirty clothes into the machine and continue with our daily lives. Unfortunately, the practice of separating light clothing and dark clothing impedes our efforts to complete this simple chore efficiently.
I went to do laundry during Friday rec time, but I found all the machines in use despite there being only three people in the room. Then, I saw a person putting a basket of clothing into two machines, which was confusing because one machine per person ought to be enough. Their reasoning for using two machines was to “separate lights and darks” and prevent darker clothing from “bleeding” into lighter clothing.
According to automaticlaundry.com, people can mix colors and fabrics as long as you wash using cool water. The laundry machine has three settings for temperature: cold, warm, and hot. As long as you do not pick warm or hot, your clothes’ dye should not bleed into other clothes. In addition, using cold water and 1 machine saves water, energy, and the cost of doing laundry. When we tested washing three people’s mixed clothes, there was no evidence of bleeding using cold water.
“Please don’t take up 2 laundry machines at a time” - Alan Wang (Cluster 9)
In this small poll, only one person said that people should separate their laundry.
There are times when you can act according to your personal preferences, but in a situation like COSMOS, where there are few machines and many students with laundry, separating your clothes and washing them at the same time only serves to hinder other people’s productivity. They are forced to wait for two ⅓ full machines to finish their cycles in order to start their own wash.
In short, we ask that students be more considerate of others and use good judgement when they wash their clothing.
I went to do laundry during Friday rec time, but I found all the machines in use despite there being only three people in the room. Then, I saw a person putting a basket of clothing into two machines, which was confusing because one machine per person ought to be enough. Their reasoning for using two machines was to “separate lights and darks” and prevent darker clothing from “bleeding” into lighter clothing.
According to automaticlaundry.com, people can mix colors and fabrics as long as you wash using cool water. The laundry machine has three settings for temperature: cold, warm, and hot. As long as you do not pick warm or hot, your clothes’ dye should not bleed into other clothes. In addition, using cold water and 1 machine saves water, energy, and the cost of doing laundry. When we tested washing three people’s mixed clothes, there was no evidence of bleeding using cold water.
“Please don’t take up 2 laundry machines at a time” - Alan Wang (Cluster 9)
In this small poll, only one person said that people should separate their laundry.
There are times when you can act according to your personal preferences, but in a situation like COSMOS, where there are few machines and many students with laundry, separating your clothes and washing them at the same time only serves to hinder other people’s productivity. They are forced to wait for two ⅓ full machines to finish their cycles in order to start their own wash.
In short, we ask that students be more considerate of others and use good judgement when they wash their clothing.
An Interview with Professor Marinovic - A Founding UCSC COSMOS Professor
Anika Wadhera
How did you become interested in becoming a founding member of COSMOS?
I was approached by the chair of my department who informed me of this new program that would teach stem related courses to academically gifted high school
students. They were trying to provide a variety of subjects in science and technology and they were interested in having a course focused on marine sciences.
How long have you been teaching at COSMOS?
I have been with the program every year since its start in the summer of 1999.
What is your favorite part of the program?
The best part of COSMOS from my perspective is the energy and enthusiasm of the students. These are kids that are genuinely excited about learning and show a level of awareness and concern about their world. It is clear that they will go on to make a positive contribution with their knowledge and talents.
What is your most memorable instance at COSMOS?
There have been so many, but I would have to say it was the time that we were returning to the harbor after a short research cruise, and a ten foot white shark surfaced and swam along the boat for about 5 minutes. I will never forget how excited all the students were to witness it.
What is your area of research expertise?
My area of expertise lies in invertebrate zoology and in particular crustacean biology. For the last twenty plus years, I have been researching krill population dynamics and ecology of the coast of California.
What is the most fascinating place you’ve visited to do research?
I have been fortunate to have been able to travel all over the world for research related purposes, but the most unique place I have done research would have to be in Antarctica where I spent 15 months as a graduate student.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have a beach named after me in Antarctica and the circumstances by which this happened were largely random.
What surprised you the most about the students who come to COSMOS?
I never fail to be amazed by the level of accomplishments they have already attained at such a young age. I think back to my own teenage years (which is becoming increasingly more difficult as they get farther and farther in the rear view mirror) and I can’t recall any of my generation having achieved so much so early.
What keeps bringing you back to COSMOS every summer?
Without a doubt, it is the energy and enthusiasm of the students. It serves to recharge my own batteries with a fresh dose of curiosity & optimism.
I was approached by the chair of my department who informed me of this new program that would teach stem related courses to academically gifted high school
students. They were trying to provide a variety of subjects in science and technology and they were interested in having a course focused on marine sciences.
How long have you been teaching at COSMOS?
I have been with the program every year since its start in the summer of 1999.
What is your favorite part of the program?
The best part of COSMOS from my perspective is the energy and enthusiasm of the students. These are kids that are genuinely excited about learning and show a level of awareness and concern about their world. It is clear that they will go on to make a positive contribution with their knowledge and talents.
What is your most memorable instance at COSMOS?
There have been so many, but I would have to say it was the time that we were returning to the harbor after a short research cruise, and a ten foot white shark surfaced and swam along the boat for about 5 minutes. I will never forget how excited all the students were to witness it.
What is your area of research expertise?
My area of expertise lies in invertebrate zoology and in particular crustacean biology. For the last twenty plus years, I have been researching krill population dynamics and ecology of the coast of California.
What is the most fascinating place you’ve visited to do research?
I have been fortunate to have been able to travel all over the world for research related purposes, but the most unique place I have done research would have to be in Antarctica where I spent 15 months as a graduate student.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have a beach named after me in Antarctica and the circumstances by which this happened were largely random.
What surprised you the most about the students who come to COSMOS?
I never fail to be amazed by the level of accomplishments they have already attained at such a young age. I think back to my own teenage years (which is becoming increasingly more difficult as they get farther and farther in the rear view mirror) and I can’t recall any of my generation having achieved so much so early.
What keeps bringing you back to COSMOS every summer?
Without a doubt, it is the energy and enthusiasm of the students. It serves to recharge my own batteries with a fresh dose of curiosity & optimism.