PolarTREC teacher Josh Heward stands in front of the ice falls on Canada Glacier in Taylor Valley, Antarctica
PolarTREC is a professional development program for educators, which strives to build ongoing, collaborative relationships between educators and polar researchers. The PolarTREC program is designed to match teachers and informal science educators with researchers based on similar scientific interests and outreach goals, facilitate the growth of this relationship, and provide support for the relationship to become independently sustainable.
One component of successful relationships is collaboration and understanding of each partner; we strive to have educators and researchers working together as much as possible before, during, and after the polar field experience. Therefore, educators and researchers selected for PolarTREC are expected to participate in a number of specific program requirements throughout the experience.
Program Requirements
This 2020-2021 Program Requirements for both educators and researchers outlines the program requirements. The document also includes additional recommendations for a successful research experience. Both the program requirements and recommendations come from best practices for teacher professional development, years of program management experience, and advice from past teachers and researchers on how to make the experience successful.
Program Requirements Timeline
The 2020-2021 PolarTREC Program Timeline shows how many of the program requirements are normally arranged throughout the year. COVID-19 has changed our program for 2020-21 field seasons but the timeline will be similar for future years of the PolarTREC program. PolarTREC is much more than just field research, as the supporting activities and program requirements before and after the educator research experience make this a comprehensive professional development opportunity. 2020-2021 Program Timeline
Program Evaluation
PolarTREC teacher Wendi Pillars holds a crested auklet chick at Cape Kitnik, St. Lawrence Island, Alaska
ARCUS uses the PolarTREC program requirements in a number of ways, including tracking participation in the program, evaluating the impacts of the program, and collecting data on program participants. Information is used to report to the National Science Foundation, apply for further funding, provide data and information to researchers, publish papers and articles, and much more.
Upon successful completion of the program requirements, participants will be recognized through various social media outlets and publication highlights. Teacher portfolios are also recognized by school administrators.
There are no formal requirements for educators, scientists, students, and others who wish to participate virtually through the Internet. Learn about the other ways to participate in PolarTREC.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding these requirements, please contact the PolarTREC Project Managers at info [at] polartrec.com.