As part of the U.S. sponsored Teacher at Sea Program, Jonathan Rice, a high school teacher from Vermont, participated in Expedition 301 in the summer of 2004. Jon used his experiences working side-by-side with scientists and technicians in the laboratories onboard the JOIDES Resolution to create Laboratory Briefs that can be used by classroom teachers and their students.

The following Laboratory Briefs describe the instruments used in each laboratory, the types of measurements made, and how the data are used by scientists to study Earth's history.

Chemistry Laboratory
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Did you know that one of the functions of the shipboard chemists is to detect the possible existence of dangerous petroleum hydrocarbons in the core samples? So the chemistry lab is not only deeply involved in the science onboard the JOIDES Resolution, but also in the safety of the ship. Explore this lab brief and the work that chemists do onboard the JOIDES Resolution.

Core Description Laboratory
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When cores are extracted from the ocean floor and brought onboard the JOIDES Resolution, their first stop is the ship's core description laboratory. Find out in this lab brief how the cores are "split," described, coded and sampled by shipboard personnel in the core lab.

Downhole Measurements Laboratory
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Downhole measurements complement core sample analyses and are a vital component of virtually every IODP expedition. On the JOIDES Resolution, the collection and analysis of downhole measurements are coordinated through the downhole measurements laboratory. Explore this lab brief to learn how scientists in the laboratory choose and deploy tools to gather this important data set.

Microbiology Laboratory
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Microbiology is a relatively new discipline for scientists on the JOIDES Resolution. But, the microbiology lab is well equipped with specialized equipment for microbiologists to study the microorganisms that live under the seafloor. Explore this lab brief and learn about the work that microbiologists do on the JOIDES Resolution.

Paleomagnetism Laboratory
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With some of the most specialized equipment on the whole ship, the paleomagnetism Laboratory is able to take measurements that no other ship-based laboratory can. In fact, few laboratories on land have the capabilities that the paleomagnetism lab onboard the JOIDES Resolution does. Find out what makes the "paleomag lab" so special and explore the work that paleomagnetists do on the JOIDES Resolution.

Paleontology Laboratory
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The paleontology laboratory is where shipboard scientists study microfossils in order to find out the age of a sediment sequence. Explore this lab brief and find out what types of measurements are done in this lab.

Physical Properties Laboratory
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The physical properties lab is the first stop for the cores after they have gone through the core flow process. There are a myriad of activities that go on in this laboratory and it is a very active place, full of equipment. Explore this lab brief and find out what types of measurements are done in this lab.

Underway Geophysics Laboratory
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The underway geophysics lab goes into action when the ship is in transit from one location to the next, and is also used to pinpoint the ship's location and choose a drill site. Explore this lab brief and find out what types of measurements are done in this lab.

*Lab briefs have been edited and designed by staff at the Borehole Research Group, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.