About
Because we are connecting with educators and researchers in the field through PolarTREC, the topics are always changing and they vary greatly. When a new event is announced we try to tell you a little about the science taking place, and send you a link to the related expedition page so you can read about the work being done. However, live events don't just talk about science, they also often include life in the field, careers, people of the polar regions, and more.
All events are advertised as soon as they are scheduled using the Polar Education email list, which you can subscribe to here. They are also advertised on the PolarTREC website and through social media.
Events are scheduled based primarily on the school schedule of the teacher in the field, so that their students back home can participate in the whole event. Schedules are also based on the research schedule, dates and times of transport between sites, time zones, and more.
Troubleshooting
Contact ARCUS at 907-474-1600 or email info [at] polartrec.com.
- Verify that your computer speakers are on and your computer’s volume is at an audible level.
- If other participants can hear and you cannot, we recommend quitting Zoom and rejoining. Often, this will remedy any problems.
If you are using both the phone and computer, the computer must be muted. The echo or feedback should go away.
Zoom has a video feature. You can turn it on at the bottom of your screen to the left. Most of the time we are connecting with presenters in very remote locations with limited Internet connections, and sometimes video is not possible for them. In those instances, we will be running the event from an ARCUS computer. We will not be turning the screen on for any presentation attendees.
Similar to audio issues, if other participants can see the presentation and you cannot, we recommend quitting Zoom and rejoining. Often, this will remedy any problems.
How to Participate
If you are using the phone for the conference call audio, press * 6 to mute/* 6 to unmute. If you are using VOIP (talking through your computer microphone), you will always be muted unless you the host opens your microphone.
Yes, this is just fine and you will not disrupt the event by doing so. You can access the archive shortly after the event to listen to the parts you missed.
Yes! You can join by calling in on a toll-free number with a telephone and listening to the audio portion of the call that way. If you would like to see the slides along with the presentation, email PolarTREC managers at info [at] polartrec.com. They will send you a copy of the slides a day before the event so that you can follow along.
No, as a participant you will not need to download any applications for Zoom events. If you are a presenter, ARCUS will give you instructions on how to present. However, we encourage you to check out the room or attend another event to make sure your system is ready to go before the event time. You may need approval from your school systems administrator to access Zoon webinars.