Journal Entry

Look who’s following! Grace St. Luke’s and Idlewild Elementary

Grace St. Luke’s Episcopal School

Grace St. Luke's Episcopal School (GSL) is located in the heart of Mid-town Memphis. It is a highly regarded and well respected member of our city’s educational community. Each day, GSL teachers use hands-on and interactive approaches to prepare their students to become lifelong learners. I’m honored to be a part of their interactive approach to learning by sharing my Antarctic adventures with these enthusiastic young students.

GSL student working on postcard GSL student working on postcard from Antarctica. Photo courtesy of Ms. Zaharko.

What has Grace St. Luke’s been up to?

Grace-St. Luke’s science and technology teacher, Ms. Zaharko, told me that her students were excited about getting involved with the ‘Get Fit’ challenge, because they love science, physical fitness and real-world learning. PE and fitness classes are a regular part of the schedule for every student at GSL.

GSL students showing off postcards GSL students showing off their postcards from Antarctica. Photo courtesy of Ms. Zaharko.

This week in science lab, the lower-school students have been learning about Antarctica, Weddell seals and our upcoming mission.

OK, GSL students! I hope you’ll follow my journey on the PolarTREC website every day! And don’t forget… you can ask me questions, too.

Be sure to look for your postcards in the mail.

Idlewild Elementary

Idlewild’s mission is to prepare and equip all students with the knowledge and skills to be productive citizens in an ever-changing global society. Their mission statement sums up their goal – ‘Children First, Excellence Always.’

Idlewild School. Idlewild School. Photo courtesy of Teresa Davis.

Our team’s goal at McMurdo Station is to gather information and share data from this remote region of the world to intrigue these future scientists and educators.

What has Idlewild been up to?

Teachers at Idlewild encourage their students to use critical and creative thinking skills to solve real-world problems. How perfect! These are qualities our team will utilize every day ‘on the ice’ as we follow in the footsteps of earlier Antarctic researchers.

Idlewild student with Big Red.Idlewild student trying on ‘Big Red!' Photo courtesy of Teresa Davis.

It’s always a highlight of my school visits when students try on my extreme cold weather gear, the gear that everyone wears outdoors in Antarctica. Most students are surprised by the weight and how thick the gear is. But it needs to be, in order to keep me warm in this extreme environment.

Helping with my polar outfit. Idlewild students helping with my polar outfit. Photo courtesy of Teresa Davis.

The trick to staying warm and comfortable is to wear multiple layers of clothing and remove layers if needed. Surprisingly, this ‘occasionally’ happens.

Idlewild students Idlewild students listening to my PolarTREC presentation. Photo courtesy of Teresa Davis.

The students were enthralled with one of my favorite memories from my 2012 expedition – when I monitored a lightly sedated Weddell seal whose head rested in my lap!

Alex and Weddell seal Alex with the head of a Weddell seal in her lap. Photo courtesy of Patrick Robinson.

As Idlewild School seeks to provide a high-quality education and an effective learning environment to empower students to become life-long learners, I hope my journey will inspire their love of science.

Comments

Susan Steiner

Can't believe you are leaving already..safe travels and have a great trip! We are following!!