The Importance of Saving! - Science through the lens of gaming
- Valeria Lara
- Nov 10
- 3 min read
A day in the life of a TRACE intern is full of new experiences, scientific discovery, and learning curves that are meant to level you up. It is easy to get caught up in a quest and it happens to the best of us. We are constantly collecting samples, going out into the field, downloading and analyzing data, and even root slaying. That being said, you should never forget the most important rule, not only applied in the world of gaming, but also in the world of science. Don’t forget to save regularly!
A typical day for my fellow interns and I begins with a full power-up at 8 am, where we prepare our gear to go out into the field to begin collecting data for our respective projects. We start with setting up the infrared gas analyzer, ensuring that it is warmed up and calibrated in order to properly collect the correct measurements. Once that’s set up, we link it to the smart chamber where it measures CO2 and CH4 fluxes in the soil. Our mobile data hub allows us to see this data through the smart chamber’s internal Wi-Fi network. This web portal is basically our inventory for the raw data of soil fluxes. The first thing on your check list should be labeling your folder with the date and your project name. Don’t forget to hit save!
My current quest focuses on the soil respiration of green versus senesced litter decomposition, where hurricanes produce an input of green litter, while droughts can increase senesced litter inputs on the forest ground. As climate change worsens, these events will only become more apparent. It is a complex problem that is not easy to solve on your own. Here at TRACE, we are a Co-Op friendly server and support our teammates throughout their missions. We are focusing on measuring CO2 and CH4 fluxes specifically through the smart chamber, and also taking account of soil moisture within the collars. At the beginning of the quest, we also added resins to the soil collars, which will be removed at the end and extracted for available nutrients from soil and plants. Every soil collar has its respective offset as well, that is necessary to input when taking measurements. Don’t forget to save these numbers!
There are many times that a scientist will encounter a boss battle against the data they have collected. Sometimes, the easiest solution is one we tend to forget. Sure, we have plenty of power-ups that make our lives easier, like data loggers, smart chambers, handheld transceivers (walkie-talkies), and the knife of science. But without the fundamental act of saving, these power-ups become useless. Just like gaming, science is about the progress you make in order to discover new findings. It is essential to value your journey and mentorship so that you are able to collect XP and level up. As you make your endeavor into becoming a Grand Master of a scientist, make sure to pass on your wisdom to those who come before you. Remember to mention the most important rule: Don’t forget to save regularly!
Comments