AWC prof brings ocean research back to classroom

He spends his time in a classroom as a professor of chemistry at Arizona Western College, but Scott Donnelly says he still looks for opportunities to do field work and get his hands dirty.

During an eight-day scientific research project in April, he got that chance - not to mention the splash of sea spray in his face and the experience of rolling and pitching aboard a ship being tossed liked a cork on rough seas.

Donnelly sailed aboard the 225-foot McArthur II research ship as one of 20 teachers around the nation selected for a coveted spot in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Teachers at Sea program.

From April 20 to 27, he conducted chemical and biological sampling off the Oregon Continental Shelf, in water 150 to 9,000 feet deep and three to 50 miles from land.

"I'm a chemist by training and the oceans are massive chemical soups," Donnelly said in written reply to a series of questions provided to him by The Sun. "They are a chemist's dream.

"In addition, it is hard to exaggerate the marine world's impact on human achievement, progress and civilization past and present. No development in our modern age can alter the fact that we humans rely so much on the productivity of the oceans. Study of the oceans then provides the perfect educational situation to teach science."

Donnelly, who teaches organic and general chemistry, said his reason for applying for the program was "to acquire meaningful, hands-on experience in marine science that I, in turn, could communicate with some passion and enthusiasm to students, most of whom have not seen the ocean."

On the cruise's second day of operations, the NOAA research vessel encountered 20-foot waves and gale force winds that, Donnelly said, tossed the 2,500-ton ship "like a cork."

"At first I was scared as hell," said Donnelly, who came to Yuma in 1995 from upstate New York to teach at AWC. "Standing on deck, both port and starboard, fore and aft, the howling wind threw sharp sea spray darts at my unprotected face."

The self-described "newbie" mariner said the "turbulent seas and violent sounds of water crashing into the deck were impressive and awe-inspiring."

"I was nearly rolled out from my bunk a few times from the ship's constant pitching and rolling. It was a grand time and I loved every minute of it."

NOAA says it offers the program so teachers can do research under the tutelage of scientists at sea and then bring back what they learn to the classrooms. Donnelly and 19 other teachers were chosen from among about 200 applicants.

"I'm always searching for opportunities to work in the field," said Donnelly, who will teach the upper-level energy policy course at Northern Arizona University's Yuma campus in the fall. "I like getting my hands dirty."

Donnelly learned about the program from NOAA's Web site. Knowing it was competitive, he conducted extensive research on oceans in efforts to submit an application that would be selected.