25 March 2018 First Day of Educator Training

Daily Journal

As I sit in my hotel room processing all the information I learned from my first day of training, I am still in disbelief that I was chosen for the 2018 PolarTREC program. This journey started when I attended the 2017 School of Ice held at Dartmouth College run by a PolarTREC alumni. The presenter spoke about her experiences, passion, and love of Antarctica, and I thought to myself, I have to do that too.

Since PolarTREC has only been open to K-12 teachers in the past, I was ecstatic when they announced they would accept applications from informal science educators as well. So after talking with my husband that my two small children would survive while I would potentially be away, I then spent many days agonizing over my application, crossed my fingers, and applied. And here I am, in Alaska, trying to soak up as much wisdom as I can as I prepare to head to the Swiss Alps later this year.

The biggest thing that I have learned so far is that the PolarTREC experience is much more than a “bucket list” trip and scientific expedition to study the Arctic or Antarctic, or in my case, the mountain glaciers in the Swiss Alps. PolarTREC is also an amazing group of scientists and educators dedicated to helping each other and all the communities we represent understand the science of the Polar Regions. One alumnus described it as the "PolarTREC" tribe as she enthusiastically welcomed me and the other 11 new teachers into that tribe.

I’m honored to now be a part of this tribe and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me. But most of all, I can’t wait to share my experience with my community, and I can only hope to convey a fraction of the enthusiasm I have seen so far.

Daily Haiku

In addition to the journals, pictures, and videos I share with everyone, I have also decided to write a haiku for every day of training, travel, and field work. I am by no means a great poet, but my scientific brain loves the 5, 7, 5 format. I hope you enjoy my poetic efforts.

Travel Day- Saturday, March 25th, 2018

Many miles flown
Travel to polar regions
New ice adventures

Training Day #1- Sunday, March 26th, 2018

Fanangling tech
While meeting new teachers
Consumed much caffeine