VOA慢速英语2012 THIS IS AMERICA - Research Grows Through Citizen Science

 

THIS IS AMERICA - Research Grows Through Citizen Science

JUNE SIMMS: Welcome to THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special English. I'm June Simms.

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: And I'm Christopher Cruise. This week on our program, we learn about citizen science and its growing popularity. We also hear from a group that uses trash to make music. And later we tell you about an artist who creates sculptures with a chainsaw.

(MUSIC)

JUNE SIMMS: More and more people are getting involved in science. These are not professional scientists but members of the public. Public involvement in scientific research is known as citizen science. There's a science project for just about any interest, and professional scientists are often happy to have the help.

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: An example of citizen science is a project called Project BudBurst. Over the past six growing seasons, Project BudBurst has used thousands of volunteer observers. They record when local plants develop their leaves, flowers and fruit. The observations go into a huge database. Then plant scientists can study the data to look for changes over time. Project director Sandra Henderson says participatory science like this is an idea that is growing quickly.

SANDRA HENDERSON: "Originally, it was -- I don't want to say limited, but it was [primarily] a lot of weather data and bird data. Now what we're seeing is more and more [plant and animal categories], more and more interest. As a result, there's really a citizen science project to meet just about any interest."

For example, people who enjoy astronomy can observe changes in the brightness of a star. People can examine satellite images of Earth to look for sites where archeologists might find the lost tomb of Genghis Khan, the Mongolian warrior¹ and ruler. Or someone interested in orca whales can listen to underwater microphones and let researchers know when the whales are present.

(SOUND)

JUNE SIMMS: Thousands of Americans and Canadians volunteered to count birds this past migration² season as part of Project FeederWatch. Retired³ teacher Joan Davies Rapp of Tacoma, Washington, has been a volunteer observer for a long time.

JOAN DAVIES RAPP: "It has been fun to be a part of the whole thing. I've noticed migrations⁴ of different birds coming up the last twelve years. Things have changed a bit."

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Another area where citizen science has grown is in testing water. Amanda Bruner coordinates⁵ SoundCitizen, a project based at the University of Washington campus in Tacoma. It keeps track of pollutants⁶ in Puget Sound.

AMANDA BRUNER: "Maybe a few scientists on a boat can go out and collect twenty samples in a day. But when we involve the public we can talk about thousands of samples, which certainly gives us much more confidence in what we're finding."

This is important because Ms. Bruner says some people, including scientists, still question whether average citizens can collect reliable data. New digital tools can help settle questions about data quality, and make it easier for people to take part in citizen science.

DENNIS WARD⁷: "So I'm scrolling⁸ through a list of almost two hundred plants that we track. There it is: Acer glabrum, or just Rocky Mountain maple⁹ ... "

JUNE SIMMS: Dennis Ward pulls out his smartphone to demonstrate the app for Project BudBurst as he inspects a maple tree in a public plaza¹⁰. Mr. Ward takes a close-up picture of the seed pods, confirms the identification with the app, and then uploads the sighting.

DENNIS WARD: "One of the wonderful things about using mobile technology is that, as you can see, it actually has the latitude¹¹ and longitude¹² that is taken from the phone when I took the picture. And I can even say a little bit about the site."

Mr. Ward works with educational technology. He says smartphone apps and interactive¹³ websites reduce errors and make it easier to share data.

DENNIS WARD: "And there we are. I can just say 'Done,' and my single report has been added."

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Public health research is another area where average citizens are getting involved -- in some cases, whether researchers like it or not. The idea is for the public to have a voice in how public health studies are done. There is even a saying for this kind of activism: "No more research about us without us."

(MUSIC)

JUNE SIMMS: Vocal¹⁴ Trash is a group that sings and dances through popular tunes¹⁵ from different periods. The members play instruments made from trash cans, water bottles and other items saved from the landfill. , Their message is to reuse and recycle. Vocal Trash has performed at fairs and rodeos and other events. Steve Linder started Vocal Trash.

(MUSIC)

STEVE LINDER: "What we are doing is taking old classics and giving them a redo, recycling old classics and giving them an urban hip-hop feel."

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Steve Linder not only plays the trash can, he also plays hubcaps from automobiles¹⁶, metal buckets, plastic barrels and plastic water bottles. So do the other five members of the group. Kelsey Rae is the lead vocalist.

(MUSIC)

KELSEY RAE: "We started the group about eleven years ago. We were singers first, so we put together the name Vocal Trash."

(MUSIC)

JUNE SIMMS: The show also includes music from today and breakdancing.

(MUSIC)

STEVE LINDER: "When we first started the group it was just to be an entertainment entity¹⁷. The awareness¹⁸ grew out of people coming up to us and saying, 'I love the recycled instruments and the message you have.’ ” And we started being more aware of that we’ve got lightening in a bottle, we’ve got something to say here.”

The percussion¹⁹ instruments are not the only ones that have been recycled.

KELSEY RAE: "We like to say we rescue items from a landfill and make music out of them. We come up with the designs and we have a company make them for us.”

(MUSIC)

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: The body of the upright bass²⁰ was once a milk can. And band members play some very interesting looking guitars.

(MUSIC)

STEVE LINDER: "We are playing a tool box guitar that would normally end up in a landfill. Just a tool box, an old toolbox, that has been refurbished and now sounds great."

(MUSIC)

STEVE LINDER: "This is a gas can that would normally sit on the back of a jeep. It has been transformed into a really nice sounding blues²¹ guitar. You can't help but see the instruments and get the message out of what we are doing."

A couple of years ago, Steve Linder and Kelsey Rae decided²² to make that message more clear.

KELSEY RAE: "My partner and I looked at each other and thought, ‘why not be a group with a message?’ And that's when we came up with 'Think before you throw it away.'"

(MUSIC)

After all, it took some thought to think of a toolbox as a musical instrument.

JUNE SIMMS: It also takes some thought to think of a chainsaw as a tool for an artist. Most people use chainsaws to cut down trees or cut off branches. But Marty Long uses a chainsaw to carve sculptures out of wood.

Recently, at the Maryland State Fair, he showed his skill at speed carving²³. In just forty-five minutes he created an owl²⁴ from a block of wood.

MARTY LONG: "I love chainsaw carving. It's art. It's fun. People love it. It makes people smile."

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Marty Long began his career carving ice sculptures, also with a chainsaw. Then he began carving tree stumps²⁶. Today, he is with a group called Masters of the Chainsaw. They organize shows and competitions.

Tim Sorrelles and his wife, Chris, stopped to watch Mr. Long at work.

TIM SORRELLES: "To saw a block of wood into pieces of art, it's just incredible."

CHRIS SORRELLES: "To watch it from the stump²⁵ to turn into artwork, I didn't know you could do that with a chainsaw."

Marty Long uses many different kinds of blades.

MARTY LONG: "It is like having different paint brushes. You start with the big ones and you work your way down and you use the finer ones for details."

He also uses blow torches and stain to add definition to his art. Of course, working with a chainsaw has risks. 

MARTY LONG: "Chainsaws are one of the most dangerous tools you can use, and the chainsaw companies will say it's the most dangerous thing you can do with a chainsaw."

JUNE SIMMS: Marty Long says his ideas come from drawings and photos and wild animals. He likes the challenge of working with wood, even with the safety risks.

MARTY LONG: "In this owl, we found a nail. There are knots and fissures²⁷ and cracks."

There is variety in his work.

MARTY LONG: "I would say eagles, owls²⁸ and bears are the most popular. What I like to carve is something in motion, something telling a story."

Like a six-meter dragon on a tree stump.

MARTY LONG: "It was for a family that had adopted two Chinese girls. On the bottom we put a Chinese symbol for double happiness."

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: There is a waiting list for people who want a tree stump carved on their property. The stumps are priced between three thousand and six thousand dollars.

MARTY LONG: "One of a kind seems to be really attractive to people. The fact that it's still rooted into the ground. It's kind of an experience rather than just a piece of art."

(MUSIC)

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Our program was produced by Brianna Blake, with reporting by Tom Banse, Susan Logue and Deborah Block. I'm Christopher Cruise.

JUNE SIMMS: And I'm June Simms. You can find videos based on today's program at our website, www.voanews.cn. You can also find transcripts²⁹ and MP3s of our programs, along with podcasts and activities for learning English. Join us again next week for THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special English.

1 warrior   

n.勇士，武士，斗士

参考例句：

• The young man is a bold warrior.这个年轻人是个很英勇的武士。
• A true warrior values glory and honor above life.一个真正的勇士珍视荣誉胜过生命。

2 migration   

n.迁移，移居，（鸟类等的）迁徙

参考例句：

• Swallows begin their migration south in autumn.燕子在秋季开始向南方迁移。
• He described the vernal migration of birds in detail.他详细地描述了鸟的春季移居。

3 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

4 migrations   

n.迁移，移居( migration的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• It foundered during the turmoils accompanying the Great Migrations. 它在随着民族大迁徙而出现的混乱中崩溃。 来自辞典例句
• Birds also have built-in timepieces which send them off on fall and spring migrations. 鸟类也有天生的时间感应器指导它们秋春迁移。 来自互联网

5 coordinates   

n.相配之衣物；坐标( coordinate的名词复数 )；（颜色协调的）配套服装；[复数]女套服；同等重要的人（或物）v.使协调，使调和( coordinate的第三人称单数 )；协调；协同；成为同等

参考例句：

• The town coordinates on this map are 695037. 该镇在这幅地图上的坐标是695037。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, headed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, coordinates all UN emergency relief. 联合国人道主义事务协调厅在紧急救济协调员领导下，负责协调联合国的所有紧急救济工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 pollutants   

污染物质（尤指工业废物）( pollutant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Pollutants are constantly being released into the atmosphere. 污染物质正在不断地被排放到大气中去。
• The 1987 Amendments limit 301(g) discharges to a few well-studied nonconventional pollutants. 1987年的修正案把第301条（g）的普通排放限制施加在一些认真研究过的几种非常规污染物上。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

7 ward   

n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开

参考例句：

• The hospital has a medical ward and a surgical ward.这家医院有内科病房和外科病房。
• During the evening picnic,I'll carry a torch to ward off the bugs.傍晚野餐时，我要点根火把，抵挡蚊虫。

8 scrolling   

n.卷[滚]动法，上下换行v.（电脑屏幕上）从上到下移动（资料等），卷页( scroll的现在分词 )；（似卷轴般）卷起；（像展开卷轴般地）将文字显示于屏幕

参考例句：

• Another important detail required by auto-scrolling is a time delay. 自动滚屏需要的另一个重要细节是时间延迟。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
• In 2D visualization and drawing applications, vertical and horizontal scrolling are common. 在二维的可视化及绘图应用中，垂直和水平滚动非常普遍。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

9 maple   

n.槭树，枫树，槭木

参考例句：

• Maple sugar is made from the sap of maple trees.枫糖是由枫树的树液制成的。
• The maple leaves are tinge with autumn red.枫叶染上了秋天的红色。

10 plaza   

n.广场，市场

参考例句：

• They designated the new shopping centre York Plaza.他们给这个新购物中心定名为约克购物中心。
• The plaza is teeming with undercover policemen.这个广场上布满了便衣警察。

11 latitude   

n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区

参考例句：

• The latitude of the island is 20 degrees south.该岛的纬度是南纬20度。
• The two cities are at approximately the same latitude.这两个城市差不多位于同一纬度上。

12 longitude   

n.经线，经度

参考例句：

• The city is at longitude 21°east.这个城市位于东经21度。
• He noted the latitude and longitude,then made a mark on the admiralty chart.他记下纬度和经度，然后在航海图上做了个标记。

13 interactive   

adj.相互作用的，互相影响的，（电脑）交互的

参考例句：

• The psychotherapy is carried out in small interactive groups.这种心理治疗是在互动的小组之间进行的。
• This will make videogames more interactive than ever.这将使电子游戏的互动性更胜以往。

14 vocal   

adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目

参考例句：

• The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
• Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。

15 tunes   

n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• a potpourri of tunes 乐曲集锦
• When things get a bit too much, she simply tunes out temporarily. 碰到事情太棘手时，她干脆暂时撒手不管。 来自《简明英汉词典》

16 automobiles   

n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• When automobiles become popular,the use of the horse and buggy passed away. 汽车普及后，就不再使用马和马车了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Automobiles speed in an endless stream along the boulevard. 宽阔的林荫道上，汽车川流不息。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

17 entity   

n.实体，独立存在体，实际存在物

参考例句：

• The country is no longer one political entity.这个国家不再是一个统一的政治实体了。
• As a separate legal entity,the corporation must pay taxes.作为一个独立的法律实体，公司必须纳税。

18 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

19 percussion   

n.打击乐器；冲突，撞击；震动，音响

参考例句：

• In an orchestra,people who play percussion instruments sit at the back.在管弦乐队中，演奏打击乐器的人会坐在后面。
• Percussion of the abdomen is often omitted.腹部叩诊常被省略。

20 bass   

n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴

参考例句：

• He answered my question in a surprisingly deep bass.他用一种低得出奇的声音回答我的问题。
• The bass was to give a concert in the park.那位男低音歌唱家将在公园中举行音乐会。

21 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

22 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

23 carving   

n.雕刻品，雕花

参考例句：

• All the furniture in the room had much carving.房间里所有的家具上都有许多雕刻。
• He acquired the craft of wood carving in his native town.他在老家学会了木雕手艺。

24 owl   

n.猫头鹰，枭

参考例句：

• Her new glasses make her look like an owl.她的新眼镜让她看上去像只猫头鹰。
• I'm a night owl and seldom go to bed until after midnight.我睡得很晚，经常半夜后才睡觉。

25 stump   

n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走

参考例句：

• He went on the stump in his home state.他到故乡所在的州去发表演说。
• He used the stump as a table.他把树桩用作桌子。

26 stumps   

（被砍下的树的）树桩( stump的名词复数 )； 残肢； （板球三柱门的）柱； 残余部分

参考例句：

• Rocks and stumps supplied the place of chairs at the picnic. 野餐时石头和树桩都充当了椅子。
• If you don't stir your stumps, Tom, you'll be late for school again. 汤姆，如果你不快走，上学又要迟到了。

27 fissures   

n.狭长裂缝或裂隙( fissure的名词复数 )；裂伤；分歧；分裂v.裂开( fissure的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Rising molten rock flows out on the ocean floor and caps the fissures, trapping the water. 上升熔岩流到海底并堵住了裂隙，结果把海水封在里面。 来自辞典例句
• The French have held two colloquia and an international symposium on rock fissures. 法国已经开了两次岩石裂缝方面的报告会和一个国际会议。 来自辞典例句

28 owls   

n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• 'Clumsy fellows,'said I; 'they must still be drunk as owls.' “这些笨蛋，”我说，“他们大概还醉得像死猪一样。” 来自英汉文学 - 金银岛
• The great majority of barn owls are reared in captivity. 大多数仓鸮都是笼养的。 来自辞典例句

29 transcripts   

n.抄本（ transcript的名词复数 ）；转写本；文字本；副本

参考例句：

• Like mRNA, both tRNA and rRNA are transcripts of chromosomal DNA. tRNA及rRNA同mRNA一样，都是染色体DNA的转录产物。 来自辞典例句
• You can't take the transfer students'exam without your transcripts. 没有成绩证明书，你就不能参加转学考试。 来自辞典例句