Learning Inside
I’ve spent the past few days learning all about the requirements for being a PolarTREC teacher. I’ve got to write journals, manage all of the media files I generate (pictures, videos, and audio recordings), participate in web conferences with the public, and plan outreach activities for my students and for the general public. Oh, and I have to go out and actually experience things, too.
So that’s a ton of stuff but the people running PolarTREC are super organized and have been very good at helping us figure out exactly what we need to do.
Learning Outside
Though we have a lot of stuff to learn that requires using technology, we’ve also got a few things to learn outside our little conference room.
Science Field Trip: Permafrost Tunnel
Yesterday, we went to the Permafrost Tunnel that’s run by the U.S. Army CRREL (Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory). Our tour guide, Arthur Gelvin, was really knowledgeable about the tunnel and explained about how the ice formations were created in the ground.
The little building that serves as an entrance for the Permafrost tunnel.
Inside the permafrost tunnel, looking at where it splits in two.
The end of the Permafrost Tunnel. There were a lot of weird noises coming beyond this fence…
Check out the rest of the tunnel pictures in the Photo Gallery.
History Field Trip: Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline
On our way back from the Permafrost Tunnel, we stopped at the Pipeline. The Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline goes all the way across Alaska, carrying oil (as you may have guessed by its name). It was built in the 1970’s to transport oil down from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. It’s one of the iconic features of Alaska so we had to stop and get some photos.
A view of the pipeline from the side, while the sun is setting
Pigs are used to clean the pipeline so the oil flows better. This is what they look like.
Logistics Field Trip: CH2MHill Warehouse
Today, we went to the CH2MHill Warehouse to see what kind of gear our Arctic-travelling teachers would be getting. CH2MHill is the company that coordinates the Arctic expeditions. Raytheon takes care of the Antarctic trips right now but, when I go, it’ll be Lockheed Martin.
Anyway, this is what the warehouse looked like:
At the CH2MHill warehouse, Cody Johnson explains what gear the Arctic PolarTREC teachers might be using.
Snow machines and other gear for Arctic expeditions, stored at the CH2MHill warehouse
Coming up
In the next couple days, we’re planning trips to the Museum of the North, the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, and the Chena Hot Springs so there are lots more pictures and journal entries to come. Also, in the next few days, I’ll post part two of the History of Antarctica series.