Journal Entry

Meet Growing Up on Ice team's PolarTREC educator Bridget Ward (That's me!)

Bridget Ward Jumping on Sea IceBridget Ward in Antarctica on Sea Ice

Photo Credit: Sarah Allen

Name: Bridget Ward

Title: PolarTrec Educator

What state are you from? Originally Ohio, but I grew up in Massachusetts.

What college(s) did you or do you attend? Westfield State University

What was/is your major? Undergraduate Biology with minors in Math and Chemistry Masters of Education of Secondary Biology

What inspired you to become a scientist? In high school, science was the only subject that didn’t seem like just memorization to me. Through traveling around the world I became really interested in the interdependence of organisms in the different types of ecosystems I visited.

What is your role of the research team? As a PolarTREC teacher my role is to share the Growing Up On Ice team’s research with the world through my journals, video conferences, and other outreach. In Antarctica I will help out the team anyway I can.

What drew you to Antarctica? It is such a unique environment and I really find it interesting. Also, a few years ago I had my students participate in a citizen scientist experiment and realized how much Antarctica isn’t included in any curricula and I want to learn more ways to incorporate it.

Do you have any fears about your expedition in Antarctica?

  1. My biggest fear is working on the ice. This year the sea ice is really thin and the Weddell seals that we are working with haul out near cracks in the ice. We get a lot of safety training, but I am still afraid of ending up in the extremely cold water.

  2. I was told there is no ice cream in Antarctica. I love ice cream.

What are your hobbies? I love traveling! Recently I have been focused on exploring the National Parks. I also really like building blocks; I collect mini-figures of famous landmarks during my travels.

What is your favorite Netflix/ Hulu / TV Show? NCIS, I watch it every night. I also recently binged on Hart of Dixie.

Who / what are you leaving behind while you are on this expedition? My family, boyfriend, friends, and my high school community the Central Family.

What are you most excited about on this expedition? Using my scientist’s skills! As a teacher, I get to share the subject of biology, but I don’t get to participate in active research projects. I am really looking forward to learning these new research techniques and bringing them back to my students. I am also super excited to interact with the Weddell Seals and take tons of pictures!

Family picture! Left to right Humans: Me, boyfiend Chris, Sister-in-law Kate, Brother Dennis. Doggies: Beckett, Von, Remington. Front: Mom Judy and Dad Dennis.Family picture! Left to right Humans: Me, boyfiend Chris, Sister-in-law Kate, Brother Dennis. Doggies: Beckett, Von, Remington. Front: Mom Judy and Dad Dennis.

Photo Credit: Bridget Ward

Comments

Wed, 10/16/2019 - 04:52

Jennifer Montagna

Hi Bridget!!! Greetings from Central! I love your jumping picture on the sea ice--so very cool! How many continents do you have jumping pictures on now? Your comment about ice cream cracks me up and just means we all need to get lots of ice cream upon your return. Amazing blog so far, and I look forward to all your future posts. :)

Wed, 10/16/2019 - 11:14

Bridget Ward

Thank you for following my blog!!! I have now jumped on 4 continents: North and South America, Europe, and Antarctica! I forgot to jump in New Zealand last week lol Upon my return I will have to remember :)

Wed, 10/16/2019 - 15:10

Marissa Donato

Hi Bridget! First of all, we miss you at Central, but loved seeing the videos of Antarctica and reading about your experiences. What is the daily temperature currently and how many seals have you been able to work with so far? Keep the posts coming!

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 13:54

Bridget Ward

Hi, I miss my Central family too!
It hasn't been too cold LOL. It has been about -4 - -35 degrees Fahrenheit with the windchill. It takes a lot of layers to stay warm, along with hand and toe warmers. Yesterday was my first day on the sea ice with baby seals! I saw 4! They are only a few days old and are very fluffy.

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 08:32

Alana

What has happened so far? Anything that you saw that you were excited about?

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 13:56

Bridget Ward

I have been sitting in a lot of classes to help me get ready to work with my research team, the first concern for everyone is safety. Yesterday we went out on snowmobiles and saw mom seals and a few babies.

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 08:40

Alexis

Aside from the thin ice, what has been the hardest part of working in Antarctica so far?

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 13:58

Bridget Ward

Since it is so cold down here I have to wear LOTS of layers and it can be so hard to move. I was trying to get in and out of a truck and with five layers of pants on and a coat that goes down to my knees it is very awkward lol

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 08:40

patty

Have you seen any other cool wildlife besides seals?

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 13:59

Bridget Ward

Hi Patty,
There has not been any other wildlife down here in Antarctica. When the ice begins to melt later in the season Penguins and Orcas will come close to base.

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 08:44

Denilson

Do you have a lot of free time? If so, what do you do on your free time?

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 14:03

Bridget Ward

Great question! I don't have much free time, when we are not out on the ice we are preparing to go out on the ice. There are lots of things to do here though there is an arts and crafts room, there are soccer and billiards clubs, science talks from other research teams, lounges for movies and reading, last night we went to New Zealand's Scott Base. We were able to make some new friends and hang out for a while. There are a lot of interesting people to meet, so usually if I have some downtime I find someone to talk to, everyone is really nice.

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 08:45

daleth

How's the weather? Three degrees sounds crazy.

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 14:06

Bridget Ward

Hey Daleth,
It is so cold! The weather is cold in general but then when it is soooo windy! I have been out on the ice in -35 degrees Fahrenheit, my feet got so cold they hurt. That is dangerous, so I had to warm up in our hut and add extra toe warmers. Usually in the afternoon, it is the warmest.

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