Fairing well in Fairbanks!

    Boreal forest on the drive to UAF
    A view of the boreal forest from the van as we drove to UAF
    We arrived in Fairbanks late Saturday and began our first day of PolarTREC training Sunday morning. We are officially PolarTREC educators and the 2019 cohort is full of eager, dedicated, and inspiring teachers! I've already learned a lot, and not just from PolarTREC administration, but from these educators. Hanging out with them over the last 24 hours has galvanized me.

    Getting ready to work at UAF
    The sign on our way to the elevator

    Before leaving Texas, I was immensely nervous about the challenge that awaited me. Texas weather is nothing like Fairbanks, let alone the arctic environment of Barrow and Toolik, where I will join Dr. Steven Oberbauer and Dr. Jeremy May for field work in June. In addition to that, us educators have an important job ahead of us. We will be field assistants and we will be sharing important research with not only our schools and local community, but the world. My mind has definitely been put at ease, though, after hearing about past educators experiences, and getting to meet this new cohort of teachers that will also be joining field researchers in the Arctic and Antarctic. I feel so lucky to be a part of this team.

    We have arrived
    Unloading the van at UAF and walking into the building on our way to IARC

    Throughout the last couple of days we have gone over what is expected of us and what we can expect out in the field. We've started to strategize and plan our work flow. The support of the PolarTREC staff and the enthusiasm and ideas that have been flowing from our cohort is infectious. I can't wait to get started!

    Date
    Location
    University of Alaska Fairbanks
    Weather Summary
    Sunny and Cool (for someone from Texas!)

    Comments

    Garcia

    The sunrise looks pretty!

    Emily Vazquez

    Mrs.Martinez would you go again to Alaska to visit again.

    Isabella Alcala

    That looks really fun.

    DENALI GOMEZ

    Very interesting !!!!!

    Alejandra Martinez

    We saw a moose, but it was really late at night and dark. We also saw reindeer, but those are domesticated.

    Amanda Justo

    I wish i could go there.

    Jesse

    looks fun!

    Alejandra Martinez

    It was a little bit of a headache, but worth it because once I got there it was a lot of fun and I learned a lot.

    Sergio.

    I wonder how life is in the cold Arctic!

    Alejandra Martinez

    The definitely have adaptations that are for colder climates. Some even blend in better in the snow.

    Bianka

    Wow,the FairBanks sunrise looks amazing !!!!!!

    Orlando Gonzalez

    how many places did you go to?

    Anissa Cardona

    How long did it take to get there?

    Jasmin Gonzalez

    Was it a cool experience?

    nadia huerta

    i would be nervous too, especially because its a totally different climate and were from Texas ,were not used to the cold.

    Nataly Navarro

    Wow! What a fun experience it must be!

    Carlos Longoria

    Good luck ma'am, let's all try to learn as much as we can about this wonderful world of ours to be able to preserve it for generations to come.

    Arianna Huerta

    This all looks so amazing!

    Larissa Sanchez

    The sunrise looks so pretty!

    Dariella Davila

    You are very lucky to be learning about the arctic's environment with Dr. Steve Oberbauer and Dr.Jeremy May.I would like to be able to get a chance to go to Alaska.

    Roy Garza

    How long did it take to get there?

    Marelly

    How nervous were you?

    ericka

    Was the climate colder or different than you expected it to be?

    Andrea Tamez

    This must've been a very cool and fun experience for you and Slomo!

    Valentina Guardiola

    I hope the scientists find a solution to the melting glaciers , it would really damage the population of many animals!

    Alejandra Martinez

    It was cold, but not as cold during the day as I expected. I was shocked by how cold it was at night!

    Airamy Martinez

    What's the average temperature in Fairbanks?

    Mark Goldner

    Ale, it's been great getting to know you this week. I can't wait to follow you and SloMo on your Arctic adventure!

    Earl

    Did you see any wildlife in alaska.

    LAURA SANCHEZ

    I would like to visit the arctic one day !!

    Sophia Castillon

    How long was the ride to get there? That place looks amazing!!!!

    Arely

    How long was the flight?

    Ricky chavarria

    It's nice that you get to meet other teachers that have the same cause go to Alaska.

    Miguel Ramirez

    It looks amazing