Orientation Week is Here!
I woke up in the hotel in Fairbanks well before my alarm went off, very excited for the first day of our PolarTREC Orientation and ShareFair to begin. Besides the 11 other new PolarTREC teachers, we were joined by Jeff Peneston, Craig Beals, and Michelle Cross, PolarTREC alumni who went on expeditions in 2008 and 2009. I felt especially lucky that Jeff was there because he sailed on the Oden in 2008, on an expedition very similar to the one I will be joining in November. Jeff became an invaluable resource, sharing hints about trip preparation, packing, logistics, and even the holiday traditions I could expect on the Swedish ship.
Jeff Peneston and Anne Marie Wotkyns at the PolarTREC Orientation in Fairbanks, Alaska, displaying some of the student-made flags he took on the Oden and to Antarctica.Photo by Lesley Uraskey
Even this early in my adventure, I felt a special connection to the Oden and its primarily Swedish crew. My mother's family immigrated to the Uniteed States from Sweden in 1960 and I grew up with Swedish foods, Swedish traditions, and even the Swedish language all around me. Although I cannot speak Swedish like I did when I was very young, I can still understand the language and I hope to improve my skills over the cruise. I look forward to experiencing the Swedish culture and traditions onboard the Oden, perhaps even reliving some memories I have of my childhood spent with my "very Swedish" grandparents.
For the past 4 days we have been immersed in "everything and anything" PolarTREC, from the program's history, timelines, expeditions, staff, paperwork, equipment, logistics, and so much more! We were issued laptops and new touch screen digital cameras and received hours of hands-on training using the different computer programs and applications we will need over the next year. While in the field in the Arctic or Antarctica, or on a ship, the internet connections are not the same as we use at home, so we are learning how to post journal entries, photos, videos, and audio files using different formats. We also learned how to set up and run webinars, interactive on-line "meetings" we will participate in from our remote locations. Shared lesson ideas, teaching tips, and resources will help us develop our PolarTREC Education and Outreach Plan.
I was very excited to post my first journal entry on Day 4 of our PolarTREC Orientation Week in Fairbanks, Alaska.
We also participated in several webinars which gave us much more valuable information on polar science, the various upcoming PolarTREC expeditions, how to take great photos on our expedition, effective journal writing, and more! This has also been a great opportunity for networking - fellow PolarTREC teacher Keri Rodgers and I are developing a plan for her high school students to "mentor" my elemenatary students through letter writing, sharing short video clips, and video conferencing. She even helped me develop a grantwriting plan to acquire the necessary web cam and Flip cam for this project!
Keri Rodgers and I enjoying the afternoon snow outside the Westmark Hotel, Fairbanks, Alaska.
After all this indoor work, we were ready for a field trip. So we loaded into the Arcus van and headed over to CH2M Hill Polar Services Warehouse where we were intoduced to a variety of clothing and footwear we will be issued for our expeditions. We got to try on the one piece "jumpsuits" known as "Mustang Suits." These suits are mandatory attire for people working out on the polar ice (like me!) They are heavily insulated and even have a built-in lifejacket in case you fall through the ice!
This is a 'Mustang Suit', waterproof and insulated - mandatory attire for researchers (and PolarTREC teachers) who go out onto the Polar ice.
We finished the night (even though it remained light outside until 11:00 om) with a stop on the banks of the Tanana River, where I collected some amazing rocks to bring back to my students in Los Angeles. Several of the other teachers tested their physiscs theoires with a spirited stone skipping contest! We then enjoyed by a lovely dinner at the Chena Pump House Restaurant, complete with a stuffed grizzly who greeted all who entered!
Anne Marie Wotkyns on the banks of the Tanana River in Fiarbanks Alaska. Photo by Bill Schmoker
The Grizzly Bear at the Chena River Pump House Restaurant gives visitors an idea of their impressive size. This one towers over Anne Marie Wotkyns. Photo by Kristin Timm
Lesson Learned : The busier you are, the more important it is to to visit the great outdoors!