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April 30, 2003
Kongsberg
Alanna Simone Tyler
 The
team was together all day and we began our day with Øyvind Kulberg
providing an overview of Norwegian history. His presentation included
wonderful slides of ancient and modern Norway as he described some of
Norway’s most significant moments. One event that was particularly significant
as we are in Kongsberg happened in 1623 when two children found silver
while out completing their chores. Far more pure silver would be found
in the mines at Kongsberg. (Photo Right:Øyvind Kulberg, founder of
Norwegian Glacier Association, presenting insightful history of Norway.
)
 The
earliest moment in Norwegian history that Mr. Kuhlberg commented on happened
many, many thousand years ago and is recorded on an early rock carving.
The carving depicts a human figure with ears like a rabbit wearing long
skis and holding what looks like an axe. Mr. Kuhlberg hypothesizes that
the carving is of a reindeer hunter skiing down a hill and disabling animals
by striking their hind legs. The hunter wears the ears of a rabbit hoping
the animals are less likely to recognize he is human. As the hunter on
skis made his way down the hill, other hunters would gather the fallen
animals. We as a team were sold on his interpretation. (Photo above
left: 4500 year old rock carving depicting Norwegian hunter on skis.)
Mr. Kuhlberg’s knowledge of the history of glaciers and
his expeditions across the glaciers has earned him a reputation as an
expert in Norway and the United States. He has instructed others in glacier
climbing and has led several tours across the glaciers. The last time
he guided a tour across the glacier was 10 years ago at the age of 75!
 In
the early afternoon we visited Buskerud University College. The University
was the site of John’s vocational day and he gained a better sense than
the rest of us about the specific programs on campus. This branch of Buskerud
University graduates many engineers. During our time on campus today we
learned about the Norwegian approach to education from the Dean of Faculty,
Dr. Erling Stranden. In a nutshell, the 435 municipalities in Norway are
responsible for kindergarten , primary school and lower secondary school.
This is education for pupils up to age 16. The 19 counties are responsible
for upper secondary school and the students are ages 16-19. The Norwegian
State is responsible for higher education.
(Photo above: John presents intro to his program in Norwegian.)
 Later
in the afternoon we enjoyed a guided tour of the silver mining museum,
Norsk Bergverksmuseum. There we learned about the history of mining and
we saw pieces of silver weighing 45 kilograms. The most lucrative mine
and the deepest, Kongsgruvene, belonged to the royal family. The inventiveness
of the silver miners was evident. For example, those of us who could bare
to look saw early pictures of and the equipment used for surgeries, amputation
and dentistry.  Furthermore,
the inventiveness of the miners could be seen in a replica to scale of
a lift that lowered and raised the miners 300 meters to and from the worksite.
The simulation of entering a mine is an aspect of the museum that our
guide told us is quite popular with school-aged children. It was also
something we tried as a team. All five of us climbed up a wooden latter
to enter the mine and experience the cool, dark, closed spaces in which
the miners worked. The guide prompted a recording to simulate the very
loud noise that was also part of the work environment. Unlike the school
children who go through the simulated mine several times, once was enough.
I have a better but still limited appreciation of how grueling the work
must have been for the miners.(Photo above right: Kongsberg is one
of the few places in the world where pure silver has been found and mined.
Photo above left: Alanna explores the silver mine museum.)
We began the week at the FMC Energy Systems with Rotarian
Odd Guldsten showing the team the oil and gas extraction equipment engineers
have developed and manufactured to sit on the floor of the North Sea,
today we came full circle by visiting the mining museum and seeing where
Kongsberg’s engineering and high-tech legacy began.
(Photo left: When friends in Norway get together in the evening, singing
is a common way to share fellowship, similar to many Rotary Clubs worldwide!
)
 (Photo
right: Evening meal with GSE coordinator Hildegunn Krogh-Hansen includes
a "skål" with Norwegian "akavit".)
(Photos: Above: Kongsberg has been famous for silver mining and forestry
for hundreds of years, and is now known for high technology industry and
education. Right: Margit, Alanna, and John exploring Kongsberg.)
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