PolarTREC opens windows to exciting, cutting-edge polar science for educators (formal and informal), researchers, classrooms, and the public. Join PolarTREC and discover the Polar Regions! There are many ways to participate in PolarTREC.
**In response to COVID-19, the deployment of all the 2020 PolarTREC educators to both the Arctic and Antarctica has been postponed until 2021. Depending on the availability of a vaccine, we hope to be deploying those educators on similar expeditions starting in the summer of 2021. Consequently, we will not be recruiting any new educators for 2021.
Even though we won’t be recruiting educators this year, we hope that you will continue to visit the PolarTREC website to find new resources, lesson plans (including virtual lessons), and the latest news on our program.
Follow the Expeditions!
PolarTREC teacher Dena Rosenberger at the Adelie penguin rookery near McMurdo Station, Antarctica
Anyone can participate in PolarTREC by following the educators and researchers on their expeditions through the Virtual Base Camp. Virtual learning expeditions allow you to communicate directly with PolarTREC educators and researchers in the field, read educators' journals, ask questions to the team, view photo albums, and access classroom activities, podcasts, and video files. The Polar Regions are just a click away!
Participate in PolarConnect events!
A live event aboard the Oden with PolarTREC Teacher Jeff Peneston.
PolarConnect transports students and the public to remote polar locations to learn about exciting polar science through real-time Internet presentations from the field. PolarConnect utilizes a videoconference platform called Zoom that supports online slide presentations, voiceover IP, audio, and text chat functions to allow for interaction with teachers and researchers during their PolarTREC expeditions. PolarConnect participants have the unique opportunity to ask questions to educators and leading researchers studying the polar regions. Participation and all materials are free! Learn more about PolarConnect and register for upcoming events here.
Become a Member of ARCUS!
Become an individual member of the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States and contribute to PolarTREC and other education and outreach programs. Membership in ARCUS enables you to participate in the world’s leading community promoting discovery and understanding of the Arctic and informing sound decisions related to the Arctic. Your support and contributions enable interdisciplinary thinking, acting, and education that lead to the development of highly collaborative partnerships. ARCUS members form the core of our extensive network, which enables an increased understanding of this critical and dynamic region. Our members include organizations and individuals who are making valuable contributions to Arctic research.
Follow us!
Join the Polar Education List to receive news delivered right to your email about polar education issues, opportunities, and important events. Check out PolarTREC on social media at FaceBook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Become a PolarTREC Educator!
PolarTREC teacher Leslie Pierce holding snow goose goslings near Barrow, Alaska
What better way to learn about the polar regions and how science is conducted than to join a scientific expedition in the Arctic or in Antarctica? More information about research experiences for educators (formal and informal) can be found by reading the PolarTREC goals and objectives, program requirements, and the Educator frequently asked questions.
Host an Educator!
Teacher Amy Clapp and researcher Max Holmes process samples from the Mackenzie River, Canada
Share your knowledge and passion for science! Researchers can host a PolarTREC educator (formal or informal) in the field and share their knowledge of polar research with classrooms around the world.
By including a PolarTREC educator, the research team gains a trained and enthusiastic helping hand in the field and a global perspective on science education and outreach. Learn more about PolarTREC, the benefits of hosting an educator as well as the program requirements for participating researchers or visit the Researcher FAQ section. We are always looking for researchers to work with and applications can be submitted at any time for teams wanting to host an educator.
For more information please contact info [at] polartrec.com or call ARCUS at 907-474-1600.