In the few months that have passed since I was awarded this amazing opportunity I have been getting ready for the big adventure. I have gone to Texas A&M to meet with Steve Sweet, Andrew Klein and Chuck Kennicutt about the project and data collection that we will be doing. I thought it might be helpful to get in better shape and have spent the summer working out with my trainer, Brandon, and gaining lots of muscle that I never new could exist and losing lots of extra me. Since school began this year, I have had the opportunity to speak to our area science teachers about IPY and PolarTREC and encourage their participation. In addition, I have presented at geography conferences and will be working with Lollie (she is going out on the Oden) at the Sally Ride Science conference for girls in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, I have piqued the interest of teachers and others in many disciplines to follow my upcoming adventure and bring polar awareness back to their own students.
My Geo2 students are excited to be able to participate with me. I took them to Wyoming, the Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks, to collect our on-going data in extremophile bacterias. Despite the freezing temperatures, I was constantly reminded that this was just the begining of getting acclimated to the cold. The colors were beautiful and the students awesome!! It is 110 degree temperature difference from Houston to what Mindy is currently reporting at McMurdo-- brr!!! I have attached a couple of pictures of my excited students while we were out west! Several have offered to squeeze into my suitcase if that was possible!
Thirty-three more days and counting!!
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