I am quite honored to be a participant in the 2008-2009 PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) program and to be able to "rub elbows" with such an amazing group of people. The program has brought 12 teachers from around the country to Fairbanks, Alaska in order to receive necessary training for our upcoming Arctic or Antarctic expeditions. Each teacher has been matched with a scientist who is conducting research in one of the Polar Regions. The teachers for this PolarTREC season will be joining research teams in Alaska, Greenland, Norway, and Antarctica; two will be going to sea aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Healy, one will be aboard the Canadian Icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent, and one will be on the Swedish icebreaker Oden. Each teacher has brought unique talents and experiences to share with the group; I am quite fortunate to have an opportunity to get to know, and learn from, each one. Enthusiasm emanates from the entire group as we begin our preparations!I am also thrilled to be able to continue working with Dr. Peter Doran and his team in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. The Dry Valley region contains the largest expanse of ice-free land in Antarctica and represent an ecosystem at the extreme edge of its ability to sustain life. In an attempt to better understand this ecosystem, we will be SCUBA diving in several of the Dry Valley lakes collecting water and sediment samples. Come along for a swim!
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to PolarTREC, which is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and administered by Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS), Dr. Doran, and the Rye School District for supporting my participation in this program. I would also like to thank my family and friends for their support for another trip to "The Ice."
Welcome - I invite you to join the journey!