Tetons

I got to spend my birthday at Teton Science School and I couldn't be more happy. The entire week was awesome. I thought that I would be freaking out with my phone but it turns out that it actually was a nice thing. The staff was super friendly and I would love to come back.
John Kearns

Teton

I have really enjoyed this entire week at Teton Science School.  I thought that giving up electronics was going to suck but it has been great.  I love being seperated from Salt Lake.  I really hope that i can do something like this again later in life and i will never forget this experience.

Jacob S Allen

Final Evening

Waking up before the sun rises,
Wrapping goosebumped arms in wool,
Lacing up used ski boots just in time to take them off again.

Stepping blindly into sparkling pearl,
Skipping to the log kitchen,
Licking the syrup from our satisfied fingers.

Snapping toes into cross country skis,
Climbing through the overcast clouds,
Gliding past forests with only our falls to slow us down.

Piling into the mess hall with grumbling stomachs,
Feeding the hungry dishwasher the plates we attempted to clean,
Keeping eyes open to the facts of glittering geology.

At last,
Plopping exhausted into the cobwebbed bunk you've spent a week in,
And realizing this is the last night it will cradle your slumber.


-Christina

My Week

Where do I start? Well when I arrived in the Tetons I had no idea what to expect. I was thinking it was going to be something of a valley-camp where we stayed in a hotel and took a bus up to the mountains. I was very wrong. I woke up from the five hour bus ride and took a look around me. I saw four-foot snowbanks, log cabins, and vegitation everywhere. We were right on the mountains! Our backyard was the forest and all of the things that inhabited it. Throughout the week I learned all about the environment and nature that was the Tetons. From 6:30 A.M. until 9:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, I was immersed in a world of science. It definatly was one of the best weeks of my life. Especially Coyote Rock, just check out our pictures! It was sick!
-TRENT

Reflection

This week has been great. Every day we've done something new and explored a different part of the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Each morning, we wake up and walk out our cabin to a stunning view of the Teton Mountains. The food is great, and we get to learn in an inspiring setting each day. When we return to camp, we are again well fed, and at night we have a great view of the stars. I can't think of a better place to spend a week, with great people and great surroundings.
Going into the week, I didn't understand the reasoning behing taking our phones.  Throughout the week, I realized that, by disconnecting ourselves from what we left at home, we have become more connected with this amazing place and these amazing people.
-Charlie Murphy

Our Last Day

On our last day here we are skiing to coyote rock.  They keep telling us it will be the farthest ski we have done, but it is well worth it.  We have all had an amazing time to say the least, but we are also ready to get back to the day to day life.  It has been wonderful to get closer to each other, and learn many new things we wouldn't necesarily have been able to do sitting in a classroom at school. It is really cool to be able to learn things hands on, such as learning about the various wildlife communities, and how the whole yellowstone ecosystem was formed.  Like I said, we have all had an amazing time, and it was a wonderful experience most of us wouldn't be able to get back at home. It has been really cool to wake up with the tetons right out side our window, and have the oppourtunity go out and experience wildlife so close and hands on.
-Marshall Wallace

Our Last Breakfast

When we walked into the dining hall this morning there was a sense of happiness and sorrow, because we were about to eat the last of the wonderfull breakfasts we have been enjoying all week long. It was a delicious breakfast of, scrambled eggs of Ina, which is a recipe the cook learned from a lady in Vermont, they were delicious! We also enjoyed cofee cake and fresh fruit, yogurt and smoothies. We have had many delicious meals this week and will miss them.
                                            -Josh

Magic Broom

Since we got here one of our teachers has played a game called Magic Broom. He has nine objects laid out on the floor, and he uses a secret code that you have to figure out in order to pick the right object. For the past 3 days no one has figured it out. Yours truly, Patrick Hickman, was the first to crack the code and beat the game. Your welcome. Keep it real.
-Patrick Hickman
(Southern P)

I not really dis dum

Today we dug dem holes deep.  Dey was ruull deep like and we got all dat snow out da holes. We written some stuff bout the holes and what deys like. i started walkin, and i done falled in. It hurt real bad like. We saw some aminal feet marks and dey said it was a wabbit.  Den we sawed a woof.  Dem woofs aint very nice.  We got back to home and dey was tryin to make us do skool stuff, but i went asleep.  Time to go get fed by mr. chef man.  This tha first time i be written since the kinder grade, and my head be hurtin somethin fierce.  YEEHAW!

-Charlie Murphy

Research day

Today was resource day.  We skied out to find a spot in the snow that had been tracked and a spot that was untracked.  Our goal was to figure out the difference in the tracked and untracked snow and how it effects density, hardness, and temperature.  Prior to the experiment we developed a hypothesis that the whole group had no problem agreeing on.  It turned out we were all wrong.  It was interesting to look at all the mistakes that had been made and how we could improve it if we tried it again. It was an overall fantastic day! We are all having a great time but we miss everyone at home.
-Alyssa

Snowshoeing and Marshall the Moose

Today was really amazing! My field group went snowshoeing for about 6 miles through trees and down steep hills in the backcountry of Bradley Taggart. The sun was shining and we all stayed relatively warm. It was work walking up those steep hills in snowshoes but it was well worth it. We learned about the geological history of the Tetons and how the glaciers carved out the mountains (along with plate tectonics). It was a long exhausting day but it was worth it. For dinner, the new cook Kevin made delicious beef stew with biscuits and salad. Then for dessert, we had a delicious creme brulee with sugar cookies. During the evening program, we created sculptures with natural objects, drew pictures of the tetons, and made our own creation story. The best one by far was the one titled Creation of Mellowstone. It goes as follows: Marshall the magnificent moose was melanchol-aly meandering in the marvelous meadow, when suddenly the moon mentioned to marshall, "My oh my Marshall! Wouldn't it be miraculous to make a place out of a meteor in the month of March?" "Yes, my goodness, that is a mighty idea! Light bulb! Let's name it Mellowstone!" That March, Marshall snatched a majestic meteor out of the milky way, which was moderately meters from Mars. From that moment on he molded Mellowstone as we know it. He created melting mud pots, marvelous geysers, and molten magma. Lastly, miles from Mellowstone, he molded from the last morsels of the meteor, the Jackson Hole Airport. From this memorable moment on, Mellowstone was the most m-azing monument on the west side of the Mississippi. It was a very enjoyable time and everyone had fun!

Tetons Through Our Eyes

The Things You Can Make With Nature by: Josh, Jacob, Alyssa, Charlie

Steamy Ice

This morning, we decided to throw hot water into the freezing outside air at breakfast. That freezing air was roughly -10 degrees F and the water was 194 degrees. The second we threw it into the air it became a huge cloud of ice. It took us about an hour to figure out how it happened and I would describe it but it is rather complicated. I have now seen Yellowstone in winter and summer and what an incredible difference. This entire place is quite incredibly beautiful. With that said, I have had virtually no time to do homework but hopefully I will soon be able to get it done. I can't wait to get connected with the outside world again, this is a strange feeling.

Chris Turner '12

The Coldest Day Yet

When we awoke the day looked just like any other. Sunny, clear, and snow covering everything in sight. When we walked outside we were rudely awakened by the frigid air. On our short walk over to breakfast our faces were practically frozen. When we looked at the thermometer it was showing that it was -11 degrees outside. Before going on our afternnon adventure we all went back to our cabins to get more layers so we didn't freeze. - Josh Goldsmith

Hoorah!

I have been extremely anxious to go to Teton Science School since freshmen year at Judge. Everyone who has been here has a spectacular review, they all loved it. I was curious to see what could make the Tetons such a place of wonder, how it could possibly be that special.

I was excited for the cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, but I soon came to realize the recreation is not the reason Teton Science School is so amazing. Learning is easy here because everything is so interesting. The first day here we learned about tracking and the next we did hands on learning by diggind a snow pit and analyzing it. The food here is incredible and the people here make the experience memorable and a never ending laugh. When I first came here I was full of curiosity and now I am full of wonder. The Tetons are some of the most beautiful mountains in the world; they create an atmosphere of delicious calm and I appreciate the separation from technology.

Day 2

Although today was only the second full day of the trip, most of us would agree this is one of the greatest trips we have ever been on.  It is a once in a lifetime experience to be on cross country skis traveling through Yellowstone National Park with eleven kids from school, some are your closest friends and other people you never realized you had so much in common with.  It is a great experience getting closer to the faculty, classmates, and teachers.  I am having a great time and I am so glad I came on this trip.

-Alyssa Corbett

Day At Yellowstone-Marshall Wallace

Today, we woke up extra early so we could get an early start to go to Yellowstone National Park to visit the various geysers and geothermic areas.  We all separated into two groups and loaded into two big vans. We then drove about an hour and a half to Flagg Ranch where we got into huge snow coaches (There is a picture of them in other posts). The snow coaches were these huge vans that had tracks on them so we could go through some deep snow! We drove to biscut basin where we got on our skis and began our adventure towards the Old Fathful area.  We stopped half way and had a lunch break and saw our first glimpse of civilization in what seems like weeks, an out house!! Then we skiied to all of the incredible geysers and geothermic features, that were surronded by huge Bison. I have seen them in the summer, but it was trully incredible to see them in the winter, where it seemed like we had them all to our selves! We ended the day with some wonderful pizza made by the amazing chef-lady Becky. Last but not least, we just ended a group debate on snowmobile use in YNP. It was really cool to be able to see other's points of view on the issue while also expanding on our own!

What a great time we are having,
Marshall Wallace
Class of '10

TSS Family 2011

Yellowstone

A most spectacular day in Yellowstone!

Lower Meadow

Learning to Ski Day

The Story of the Ort Queen

Once upon a time in a land called the Grand Tetons, Bing Bong Jeffers (aka the Ort Queen) was having her normal dinner. Chicken and potato filled her mouth, as her sharklike jaws smashed the food into smithereans. Nothing but a potato skin was left on her once full plate. The sight of a healthy food disgusted her. She then bellowed "SEND THIS TO THE ORT BOX!" Her ort minion ,Maarrr Sturner, quickly ran to aid the Ort Queen. He seasoned the potato scraps with Siriachi hot sauce until the vile matter was fit for human consumption. He consumed the substance, fighting the tears back every bite, but by then the Ort Queen had moved on to a new victim, an oatmeal cookie. By the end of her destruction all that remained were picked out raisins. She forceably shoved the raisins down the minions throat. All that was left by the end were tears.

By Skinny J and Southern P

Breakfast

As I was awakened by the blinding light of the lamps in our cabin, I looked out the window and saw a new blanket of snow covering the walking paths. Alas breakfast was here, we scurried through the snow in our snow suits to the dining lodge where the aroma of cooking food filled our senses. We scarfed down our food. There is now a bucket labeled "Ort",  which is a medieval term for left over food. We have to put or left over food in this bucket.  Today...we have an once or two....our goal is zero ORT tonight!

Its wonderful to be here, our spirits are renewing. Today we are heading out to begin our winter exploration of the GRE: (the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem).  We will learn to cross country ski as we begin our campus tour of Kelly.

The weather this morning was researched and presented by Jacob and Pat. Snowing lightly and expecting 4-6 inches today.  Its great to be her!
Joshua 2011

Morning in the Tetons

This World!

Today I am marveling at this place.  The world is silent. The air is crisp and chill. The breath of all the members steams into the air.  It is a whole new world.  This world is secluded from all civilization and all that remains is a heater, food and electricity.  This is a world unlike any other.  There are no horns honking, no sirens going off, or any bright lights.  Here you can see the stars to infinity and beyond the sky reaches out.  The world is silent.
Shiona Smith 2011

TSS Camp at Kelly

Being out here is great!  I feel separated from the busy city life and unified with the outdoors.  I am really looking forward to this week.
Jacob S. Allen

The Mysterious Roaring

The mysterious roaring...the Grand Tetons...the Old West photo booth...even less than 24 hours into this trip , I am loving it!  There's something about being taken away from school and technology that makes learning more entertaining and more real.
I think the difference is that I chose to be here, I chose to learn more; nothing is forced.
Rachel Benvegnu

Awareness

Awareness is becoming acquainted with environment, no matter where one happens to be. Man does not suddenly become aware or infused with wonder; it is something we are born with.  No child need to be told its secrets;  he keeps it until the influence of gadgetry and the indifference of teen-age satiation extinguishes its intuitive joy.  Sigurd Olson

Window to the world of learning!

2011 Winter Ecology in the Grand Tetons

We have arrived! The trip north into Wyoming was the start to a wonderful day. We arrived at TSS (Teton Science School) to a land filled with deep snow!  We were greeted along the way by elk, deer, pronghorns, and a moose.  Our camp is a former Dude Ranch in the eastern part of Grand Teton National Park.
Our first task was to get and organize our equipment for the week.  The cell phones, and I-pods have been exchanged for cross country skis and a beautiful, peaceful environment.  We will find a new home here among the towering peaks of the Tetons.
Stay connected...stay with us for a grand week of adventures!
The students of TSS 2011

Counting Down The Days

We are quickly approaching Sunday February 6, 2011 when we will be taken deep into the Tetons, for a week full of adventures and new experiences.