Before Traveling to Orientation

    When I first heard about the PolarTREC program, it sounded like an amazing opportunity. It would give me a chance to experience realworld science and allow me to bring this experience back to my students. But, I knew getting accepted was a longshot - I applied anyway.

    In December, I got a call just before Christmas telling me that I had been accepted. This was the best Christmas present I could have hoped for! I was going to Greenland to work with a team drilling ice core samples AND I was getting the opportunity to spend time at Dartmouth looking at the structure of these ice samples.

    February 4 - Traveling to Fairbanks, AK

    I left the house at 4:30 AM (Florida time) to start my journey to Fairbanks, Alaska. Just before leaving, I looked at the thermometer and it was 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sixteen hours later, I landed in Fairbanks where the temperature was a rather chilly -2 degrees! Though it was cold, it was a beautiful winter wonderland.

    Plane Window
    View from the plane flying in to Fairbanks.

    February 5 - Orientation (Day One)

    Today was our first day of training. We spent much of it getting to know the cadre of teachers that would be taking part in PolarTREC this year. What an amazing group of educators these people are! I feel honored to be part of this group.

    We also started learning some of the details about what we would be doing during our expeditions. We heard about some of the expectations and challenges. We also began learning about the technology that we would need to use throughout the program. I have to say after learning all that we did today, I am even more excited than I was before. My mind is swimming with ideas. I can hardly wait to see what the rest of our training week has in store for us.

    Author
    Date
    Location
    University of Alaska Fairbanks
    Weather Summary
    Cold!

    Comments

    Armando Caussade

    Yes it is longshot! But it will also be the one of the best things that you will ever do. And, by the way, that is an awesome picture! Keep those journals coming, and I will be following your work with much interest.