12 Jul Randol Thompson | University of Utah | Week four

Hey everyone, this week was definitely the most work-intensive one of my internship so far. After spending the past several weeks learning the basics of the project and preparing samples, I have finally reached the stage where most of the soil samples have been scanned and processed. Now I am really in the middle of the research itself, comparing the soil sample data with satellite data to create more concrete and meaningful results. This part of the internship feels like where everything I have been working toward is finally coming together, but it is also the most challenging stage because there is so much information to analyze and interpret.

fun lunch this week

One thing I have realized this week is just how much there is to learn about the software we use to analyze the soil sample data. Even though I have been working with it for several weeks now, it still feels like I barely know the basics. Every day I discover another feature or tool that can completely change the way data is viewed or analyzed. It is honestly a little overwhelming at times because the program is capable of doing so much more than I originally expected. I feel like it would probably take months of regular use before I could confidently say I fully understand everything it has to offer. At the same time, it has been rewarding to slowly become more comfortable with it. I can already tell that I am much faster and more confident than I was when I first started, even if I still have a long way to go.A major part of my work this week involved comparing the soil data collected from our samples with information gathered from satellite imagery. The goal is to see whether the satellite data can help identify patterns or predict what is found in the soil without needing as much field sampling. This process requires a lot of careful observation and organization because even small differences in the data can be important. It has been interesting to see how information collected from space can be connected to what is physically found in the ground.

Another task I worked on was checking nearby mining operations to determine whether they contained minerals that could potentially be harmful to the environment. Certain minerals can contribute to pollution or other environmental concerns if they are exposed through mining activities, so understanding what is present in the surrounding area is an important part of the research. This required looking through geological information and comparing it with our study area to better understand whether nearby mines might influence the results we are seeing in our soil samples. It was interesting to see how many different factors have to be considered when studying environmental systems.

OFFICE PIZZA PARTY

Outside of the internship, I have also been spending time preparing for the upcoming school year since it is quickly approaching. I wanted to make sure I stay ahead before classes begin, so I dedicated some time this week to my schoolwork as well. I have made a lot of progress on one of the books I need to read for English this year, which feels good because it will give me one less thing to worry about once school starts. I have also been reviewing some math concepts and doing a little preparation for physics so that I can start the year feeling more confident. Even though balancing internship work with school preparation has kept me busy, I think it has been a productive week overall. Looking back, this week was challenging but also one of the most rewarding so far. I feel like I am finally working on the core of the research project, applying everything I have learned over the past several weeks. While there is still a lot for me to learn, especially with the software and data analysis, I can see my progress each week. I am excited to continue building my skills and seeing what the next stage of the project brings.