Each book in the Kea Wright series has a distinct tone.Mammoth Drop, for example, is a camp romp celebrating a science and drag. In contrast, the final story,Murder on Masaya, presents the hazards that scientists undertake to gather data.
Each book also has its own underlying theme. Cold Flood examines how being put under intense pressure can release something inside ourselves that we never knew existed. The Meerkat Murders examines the concept of altruism, Mammoth Dropexplores extinction, and Masaya examines family and sacrifice.
My favorite television show growing up was Doctor Who – you never knew where the next story would take you. The next tale could be set in the distant past or the far future, or be a comedy or a tragedy. I loved that element of surprise and tried to incorporate it in this series.
I wrote these books to share expeditions so that can be enjoyed from your favorite comfy chair. If you are interested in joining a scientific expedition on a volcano, a glacier, or even tracking dolphins, find a volunteer site online and sign up today! There are many ways that you can help scientists and spend a vacation that you’ll remember for a lifetime!
The real joy of getting a Geology undergraduate degree is all the fieldwork – you usually have to complete a 6 week field camp, often out West.
Just a day at the office
After college, the tricky part is finding a career that lets you work outside.
It can be difficult to find a job that both pays well and lets you experience the great outdoors. Such jobs do exist, but it requires dedication, and luck, to find them.
Even if you find that job, after moving up the career ladder, you likely find yourself as a manager, spending all your days in meetings or tied to a desk.
When you forget that fresh air is more than an NPR program.
It doesn’t matter if your major was Geology, Biology, Geography, or Archaeology, chances are that many other people feel just like you. They find themselves working in marketing, management, or loads of other jobs that have nothing to do with their degrees.
Staying Plugged In – From Home or Breaks on Work
Now, don’t despair – and don’t walk away from those cushy office jobs! There are many ways to still get your Nature geek on.
There are many organizations that need volunteers to help collect or process data. National Geographic has plenty of citizen science programs on their website, putting you in touch with scientists who will help you test your local water, take part in the Audubon Society’s bird census, or even search space.
The new wave of data coming at scientists can sometimes be daunting. Where they used to scrimp and save to get one overhead image, they find themselves inundated with thousands. Between drones, trail cameras, and satellite images, they have to find a way to pull out the information they need. You can help, by helping them train their machine learning programs to identify different types of animals . Sometimes, even the computers can’t do it, and there’s no substitute for the human eye – you can help NASA find planets.
Working Vacations
There are ways to use your vacation time to get away from the office and see remote locations while helping scientists collect data! Earthwatch.orgis an international nonprofit organization that ‘ bring individuals from all walks of life together with world-class scientists to work for the good of the planet.’ By joining an expedition, your fees support the research (and meals), while you collect data side by side with the experts! Join an expedition monitoring dolphins in Costa Rica, boating down the Amazon, or see climate change the edge of the Arctic.
If you’re interested in conservation or education, check out GVI. From their website, “ Volunteer for a week or up to a year, combine our projects for unique multi-country combos, become an international expedition team member, take a gap yearwith a difference, or flesh out your resume with one of our various internship options!”
Or Just Tuck In With A Good Book
For example, I love the U.S. National Park system, but I’ll never get to go to all of them. Nevada Barr’s novels lets you explore 18 different parks, and the life of a park ranger, while enjoying the thrill of a murder mystery along the way. There are plenty of authors featuring scientists who can help you keep fresh on your science as well as scope out parts of the world you’ve yet to explore!
Remember, how you stay connected is up to you, but never forget the passion that inspired you. Whether through fiction, vacations, or just a good book, the world is waiting for you.
Last week it was a pleasure to be featured as a guest poster on What Cathy Read Next, discussing the topic of ‘Putting Science in Fiction.’
Here’s an excerpt:
“Scientists leading expeditions in the remotest regions of the world are often doing a mad balancing act. Putting aside the fact that they have to acquire funding, manage the logistics for travel, food, and equipment for all of their team members, they also have to ensure the safety of every member under hazardous conditions. They do this while simultaneously mentoring and educating students, managing course loads, and addressing concerns, and enlisting the help, of local populations…
“I wrote Cold Flood as a tribute to these researchers. They labor to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals, ones most of us will never read. I hope that by telling their story, the reader will get a glimpse of some amazing places and spend some time getting to know some truly amazing people – and maybe be inspired to join an expedition themselves.”
There’s great new review of Cold Flood now up on Yet another blogging mummy!!and the first review on Amazon.co.uk! Woo hoo!
Beware, spoilers ahoy!
And as the reviewer points out, there is a glossary at the back of the book for those who want to learn more about the geology/glaciology of the region. (Even includes the odd Icelandic swear word or two as well!)
Cold Flood – is now available on Amazon!
And first review is in:
“Riveting – A thriller set in a geology field camp, “Cold Flood” gives the reader a great story in a unique location. Stunning descriptions of Iceland, with a crash course in glaciology, wrapped around a well crafted heroine. There’s something for everyone in this book, science buffs and mystery fans especially.”
