11 February 2014 What do you do during orientation?

Journal

Before I left, everyone asked me what I would be doing at orientation and training. At the time I didn't really know, but now I have an answer. We are:

Meeting awesome fellow educators and hearing about past trips from alumni.

A few PolarTREC teachers — Susan Steiner, Armando Caussade and Dominique Richardson enjoying an afternoon at ARCUS.

Learning about polar science and the logistics of our expeditions.

Learning about squirrel research. — Researcher Jeanette Moore teaches us about her research on arctic ground squirrels.

Practicing with the technology and gear we'll have in the field.

Trying on gear — Dominique Richardson trying on a (too large) float suit used on polar research vessels.

Studying ways to communicate polar science research.

Pondering Data — PolarTREC teachers Alicia Gillean, Glenn Clark, Dan Frost, and Obed Fulcar ponder data during the PolarTREC Orientation. Photo by Zeb Polly, Courtesy of Alicia Gillean (PolarTREC 2013), Courtesy of ARCUS

Staying up late doing PolarTREC orientation homework.

Late night studying — Staying up late to finish PolarTREC Orientation homework.

Preparing for our expeditions and having fun!

Hibernating squirrel — Me holding a hibernating arctic ground squirrel.

And it's only the 3rd day. Lot's more fun stuff to come!

Questions:

Fun Fact: Did you know that arctic ground squirrels wake up during hibernation to sleep? That's right, they wake themselves up from hibernation to take a nap. What is the different between hibernation and sleep? Why do you think a hibernating animal may need sleep?

Details

Author

Dominique Richardson

Date

11 February 2014

Expedition

Antarctic Ice Stream Dynamics

Weather Summary

Still cold and clear

Temperature

-20

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