Additional Blog: What I've Learned So Far

While being mentored by Gary Mitchel, I've learned many things that not the average person my know about the world. I feel the things that I've been educated on, everyone should know this. It's something everyone should know and care about.

I've learned that there are five Gyres, which are when two currents of an ocean meet and create a giant whirl pool. All five of these Gyres are full of garbage, filth, and plastic. The Gyre between California and Hawaii is one and a half times the size of the U.S. Also about ninety-seven feet deep and counting. Trash is everywhere in the ocean, it is even washed up on islands that aren't even close to civilization. An island named Midway is in between Japan and Hawaii, very far away from civilization. The plastics that we use everyday wash up on its shores and is killing birds native to that island. One type of bird being affect by plastic is the Albatross, which is basically a seagull on steroids. It's wingspan can reach almost to twelve feet! Their babies are begin affected because they see the plastic and mistake it for bugs other small lizards. There are pictures with baby albatross skeletons and where their stomachs once sat, is now a pile of plastic. We have no connection to that island and yet we are affecting it. It's absolutely nuts to think that WE can have that kind of affect on our environment. 





Blog 6: Second Interview Preparation

Who is your mentor and where do they work?

My mentor is Gary C. Mitchel and he is the leader of an organization named, Planet Rehab. He has been working for ten years. Allowing him to make great connections and to educate thousands of people on environmental issues. He's been to environmental meetings and speeches by very renown scientist and experts.

What five questions will you ask them about their background?

1. What made you start Planet Rehab?
2. Have you come in contact with others that are in your line of work as well?
3. How did you become so educated about the environment?
4. Have you felt you've improved as a person as well as an organization leader, knowing what you do?
5. Did you ever see yourself moving into this sort of work throughout your life?

Blog 5: Mentorship and Research Reflection

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship?  If you haven't found one yet, describe your experience so far in the search of a mentor.

I met Gary Mitchel through his organization, Planet Rehab. When I attended Damien High School, he presented in a my gym. He was handing out cards and mingling with some students about his goals and how they could help in volunteering. I didn't approach him but I made sure I put my email down on his list. Within the next couple of weeks he sent me an email asking when I'd be available to volunteer. I made my mom call him because I was really afraid to call, for some reason. As soon as she finished talking to him on the phone she told me that I would be able to go over and volunteer on a Saturday morning. Then Saturday came, and a whole other adventure began for me at Planet Rehab.

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?

I can't really pick a single article because there are at least two or three articles that have provided me with TONS of information on my topic. They showed me and taught me things I would have never even thought about.