So, I’m going to Siberia next summer! I can’t believe it! What a rare opportunity to see a different part of the world! What an amazing opportunity to get out of my comfort level! What a fantastic opportunity to work with field scientists to explore the effects of climate change in a part of our planet that very few people will ever see. How cool!
These are among the thoughts that passed through my mind when I found out about my selection to accompany the Polaris Project II - team of scientist and undergraduate researchers led by Dr. Max Holmes of the Woods Hole Research Center - this coming June and July to study in the Kolyma River basin in northeastern Siberia. (More to come on the Polaris Project later!) I will be accompanying this team as PolarTREC teacher, an exciting opportunity for classroom teachers to engage in field research with polar scientists.
Siberia. When I was a boy, I read about the Soviet Union era penal colonies in this vast region. But now, Siberia is of extreme interest to scientist from around the world, working diligently to understand the feedback effects between global climate systems and the Arctic. Understanding the Russian Arctic is critical to our understanding of global climate change for many reasons. It possesses more Arctic land area, more soil carbon, and a larger human population than Canada, the United States, and Scandinavia combined.
I am excited to extend my scientific knowledge in studying this area with such renowned professional scientist and to learn alongside students working to become the next generation of polar scientists! At the same time, I am anxious for I know that as I learn, there is an enormous responsibility to share this knowledge to inspire thoughtful change in my students, in my friends, and in people I do not yet know to embrace this understanding and to choose to act to be appropriate stewards of this planet we share.
I invite you to embark on this journey to the remote Siberian Arctic with me through this blog! Let’s learn together!