"Robin the Viking” will be my companion on our PolarTREC adventure. He and I will be working and learning together as part of the expedition team. Robin lives at Kingsburg High School in the office of another Robin, a wonderful lady who takes care of student body accounts and the needs of many of our students and their families. The Viking is the mascot at Kingsburg High School. Our city, in central California, was founded by Swedish immigrants and this year, Kingsburg is celebrating its Centennial!
Robin
Robin is ready to go, but I still have a lot to do to prepare for the expedition. Check him out: GPS unit, TDS water tester, satellite phone to communicate, USB drive for photos, GLOBE flags (we saw some GLOBE folks in my last journal entry and we will talk more about the GLOBE Program later www.globe.gov ), water bottle, and Crazy Creek chair! Hey Robin, where are you going now? "I'm going to the Arctic!!"
<figure class="standalone-image" style="display:block; width:300px;"><img src="/files/resize/members/peggy-foletta/images/robinready-300x400.jpg" alt="Robin the Viking ready to go on expedition" title="Robin the Viking ready to go" height="400" width="300" /><figcaption class="caption" style="display:block">Robin the Viking ready to go</figcaption>
The PolarTREC staff have been great! They are preparing us for the expedition by making sure we have all the clothes, safety gear, and technology we will need while we're in the field! Check out some of the clothes they have sent me:
Gloves
Gloves of all kinds, for all occasions. Robin has selected his favorite!
Hats
Hats and hoods for warmth and bugs! Robin doesn't like mosquitos.
Layers
ARCUS has supplied PolarTREC teachers with 4 layers of clothes and accessories.
Viking in my boot
I've been told that these boots will come in handy on my expedition.
Warmth and first aid
First aid, a warm nose and warm hands. I feel prepared!
Check out the great technology ARCUS provided for my PolarTREC experience:
<figure class="standalone-image" style="display:block; width:300px;"><img src="/files/resize/members/peggy-foletta/images/toughbook-300x400.jpg" alt="Tough book computer that is waterproof" title="Waterproof Toughbook" height="400" width="300" /><figcaption class="caption" style="display:block">Waterproof Toughbook</figcaption>
It's called the Tough book; an almost indestructible computer!
MP3 player
Robin the Viking thinks that the MP3 player is for him. Little does he know that it is really planned for interviewing the researchers and recording sounds of the wilderness.
Solar panel
What is this. you ask? Well, it is a solar panel I will take on the expedition to recharge the Tough book, the camera, and the satellite phone so I can commuicate with you while I'm in the field for three weeks. Please communicate with me by asking questions and making comments on this site so I know you are following our expedition.
Satellite phone
The satellite phone is to connect to the computer to upload photos and journals and podcasts to keep you up to date on how and what we are doing.
Camera and accessories
Robin the Kingsburg Viking is posing with the digital camera that is taking all the photos you see on this site (except this photo; I had to use another camera to take this picture!)
If you have any questions, please click on the "Ask Questions” link. Until next time…. Bye.