31 March 2020 Couch to 5K

Journal

Joining PolarTREC feels like going from sitting on the couch yesterday to running a 5K today - in several ways!

EXCITEMENT & ENGAGEMENT

I have always been curious about the polar regions of the Earth and science in general, and I've always described myself as a life long learner. However, being selected as a PolarTREC Educator has amplified my interest in all things polar - tenfold! I'm "Zooming", watching Polar-Connect Events, buying books about Antarctica, and being stalked on my social media by all kinds of polar science and Antarctica related content, stories, gear, and advertisements!

Antarctica Ready? — Mason and Camden Kautzer, Cassie Kautzer's three year old twin nephews, get "Antarctica ready" from central Wisconsin since there was no snow for Cassie in Arkansas this year. Photo Credit: Cassie Kautzer

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A POLAR TREC EDUCATOR?

This is a definite couch to 5K moment! There is so much to learn! What is PolarTREC? What are the requirements of educators? What can I do to be a contributing member of the science team? How do I get to Antarctica? Who will teach my students while I'm gone? How do I prepare for weather in Antarctica in when its currently over eighty degrees in Arkansas? And so much more....

First Things First

I have set up a work space. I have read the PolarTREC Orientation task lists and daily agendas, and am working my way through the PolarTREC Educator Manual. I am making task lists, just as I ask my students to write in their agenda, and checking things off one at a time.