16 May 2010 Here we go again...

In the last year not a day has passed that I have not found myself reflecting on the incredible adventure to Lake El’gygytgyn. This experience continues to influence my life and my classroom in numerous ways. Although it has been a little over a year since my return from Lake E, this week marks a new chapter in my expedition. I have traded in my heavy ECWG parka for a white lab coat! Julie and the other members of the science team invited me to participate in the 5th International Lake El’gygytgyn Workshop to be held at the University of Cologne. Polar TREC has generously agreed to fund my on-going participation with the Lake El’gygytgyn Project.

While in Siberia, our primary goal was to drill and extract the lake sediments and impact breccias. Although some initial measurements were made on the samples while we were still in camp, most of the sensitive and high precision measurements were planned for when the cores could be transported to a well equipped laboratory. After transporting the cores from the lake to Pevek, the cores were then flown to St. Petersburg. From St. Petersburg, the cores were transported by truck to Cologne, Germany where the careful measurements have been underway since last fall. I am looking forward to touring the core measurement laboratory and sharing this scientific research with you.

The German DFG Science TV made a great documentary about the Lake E expedition. Take some time to watch on-line here:
 POLAR ARCHIVE Driling in the Arctic, ClimateThe average weather over a particular region of the Earth. Climate originates in recurring weather phenomenon that result from specific types of atmospheric circulation. research for the future.

Throughout this year I have had a rather busy schedule with numerous speaking engagements. Besides school and student groups, I gave presentations to a local Sierra Club, several retirement communities, National and North Carolina Science Teachers Assoc., and a state wide Astronomy conference. In the presentations I have described the expedition and about how I am using the science I learned on the expedition with students. As part of this trip, I am looking forward to giving another presentation at the University of Cologne.

On Tuesday afternoon we (this time my wife Elaine will be traveling with me) fly to Germany. While I attend the conference she will visit Stade (near Hamburg) and the family of the exchange student our family hosted in 2006. Unfortunately our travel plans do not include Russian helicopters, tundra busses, or vestihod… needless to say I am not as concerned for this part of the expedition…I’ll probably be packing Monday night! As I re-activate my Expedition Journal, I invite you to follow along.