PolarisProject

I had the opportunity yesterday to give three class presentations at the junior high and high school I attended in my hometown of Wilbur, Washington.  I spoke with a wide range of students, from the 7th grade science class to the high school chemistry class.  All of the students were very interested in what I experienced in the Kolyma region of Siberia as well as all of the science conducted on the Polaris Project.

Giving these presentations was very fulfilling for a couple of reasons.  First, it showed the students the opportunities that science can offer them.  I certainly never believed that I would spend a month 19 time zones away in northeastern Siberia when I sat in the same chemistry class five years ago.  Second, I feel that my presentations left these students with a greater awareness of the changes occurring in the Arctic and the uncertainty regarding the ramifications of these changes.   Hence, I believe the students gained a better understanding of the importance of science and a renewed interest in pursuing science as a career.

I also enjoyed giving these presentations since the school in Wilbur is very small, with Kindergarten through 12th grade all under one roof.   As a result, all of the teachers and many of the students know me, which further opened up discussion about the Polaris Project and science.

Tyler Llewellyn, Western Washington University ’09

I’m currently in Bergen, Norway at the 10th annual Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW).  One of the draws of attending the ASSW is the science symposium, in which I presented a couple talks and co-chaired the “Coastal Environments as a link between Land and Sea in the Arctic” session.  However, the long-term primary purpose of the ASSW has been to provide opportunities for international coordination, collaboration and cooperation in all areas of Arctic Science and to provide a forum for international Arctic Science planning activities.  This is the place to be if you’re interested in keeping your finger on the pulse of (or even directly contributing to!) the future direction of research in the Arctic.  For instance, multiple groups have held their annual meetings here this week, to include the International Arctic Sciences Commtitee (IASC), Arctic Ocean Sciences Board (AOSB), European Polar Board (EPB), Pacific Arctic Group (PAG), and the International Arctic Social Sciences Association (IASSA).

Arctic Science planning activities are one important step towards communicating to funding agencies the priority areas of scientific research, which in turn may result in future funding opportunities for researchers in these specific research trajectories.  But one of the most rewarding experiences about being here is to connect with other arctic researchers from around the world, cross-fertilize our scientific ideas and results, and foster future collaborations.  ASSW 2010 will be in Nuuk, Greenland and ASSW 2011 will likely be in Seoul, Korea.  Oftentimes there are possibilities for young researchers to attend these types of conferences and summits, so I encourage you all to keep an eye out for further opportunities!

So with that, as they say here in Norway — Skål!

Karen

Clark University is entering the Web 2.0 world. Here is footage of a recent pubic presentation on the 2008 summer field course.

We are wrapping up the Polaris Project at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. It’s been a great experience for our team. We’ve had good meetings to plan logistics for the 2009 summer course in Cherskiy. We’ve had multiple chances to present our research to some of the 1000 participants at the forum – we all presented something. Karen on peatlands, Bill on C cycling, Andy on the history of climate research and so on. It’s been great to hear feedback from folks here and be reminded that the Polaris Project is a wonderful experience that brings science and education together in a unique way.

However, the forum has put our project in a setting that is truly awesome. Hearing a scientist like Richard Alley talk is great but the kind of thing we’ve all done as scientists. The forum has exposed us to people and ideas that we don’t run across as often. We’ve gotten a chance to spend time with John Francis – the Planet Walker who gave a moving and funny plenary address about his 22 years of living without motorized transport and the 17 years of those he spent living silently. Look at his TED lecture here. We attended a interfaith service centered on faith and environment featuring sublime chorale music. We heard from Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota’s funny and savvy senator. We heard Majora Carter address green collar jobs and inner cities.

The forum has been a place for us to discuss our science and eduction. It’s been a place for us plan for the future. It’s also been a moving and eye-opening experience for us a pointy-headed scientists. I think we all feel humbled to be part of a large group of people so concerned with peace, civility, and understanding our role on the planet.

The American PI’s for the project are here in Northfield, MN for the Nobel Peace Forum.  It is great to see everyone and begin discussions on our plans for Russia this year.   The forum schedule looks pretty exciting and I am looking forward to hearing different topics related to climate change. -Sudeep

The Polaris Project PIs are in Northfield, MN at the 21st Annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum. The forum this year honors the scientists from the IPCC who won the Peace Prize in 2007. We’re being kept busy. The PIs are taking part in a panel discussion about climate change in the Arctic. John Schade and his students are leading a variety of events. Katey Walter and I are talking about feedbacks to the climate system, Sudeep Chandra is discussing conservation and faith, Karen Frey is talking about her work in western Siberia. There are more events that I can’t recall right now.

While here we’ll have a chance to get together with the new Polaris students from St. Olaf and Carleton as well.  We’ll be having a meeting to talk about science and arrangements for the summer course before heading off to hear Richard Alley kick off the forum. Updates to come…

We have just completed the selection of students for the 2009 Polaris Project field course.  It was a grueling process because we received applications from many more exceptional students than we could accept, but we’re thrilled with the outcome.  The new students are:

Travis Drake and Moira Hough:  Carleton College

Blaize Denfeld and Claire Griffin: Clark University

Brian Kantor and Erin Seybold: St. Olaf College

Joanne Heslop: University of Nevada Reno

Kayla Henson and Max Janicek:  Western Washington University

Olga Belina and Kirill Tretyakov:  Yakut State University

We would also like to welcome Boyd Zapatka (from Clark University) as this year’s returning student.  Boyd will expand on the research he began last year and serve as a course assistant.

In addition to the students above who will take part in 2009 Siberian field course / research experience, many more are enrolled in the associated on-campus courses.

Welcome aboard everyone!

Max

A four-part NOVA special “On Thin Ice in the Bering Sea” has just been released, featuring scientists discussing their climate change research in the northern Bering Sea (including some brief highlights of my own work).  The series also focuses on the impacts of recent climate change and sea ice decline on indigenous communities in the region.  You can see the NOVA special here.

In addition, NOVA will also be airing a special entitled “Extreme Ice” on March 24 (check your local PBS listings).  I encourage you all to watch!  Looks like some fantastic, action-packed cinematography of glacier and ice sheet dynamics.

Karen