Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/30/2009 - 10:49
Forums
High Arctic Change 09

Mike, I was just going over the last Bering Sea mission of the ice breaker Healy and found your site. I am the National Weather Service sea ice program leader, called the Ice Lady by many, based in Anchorage, Alaska. I was born in Boise and attended North Jr. High and Bishop Kelly High School. Riverglen is new to me, but then Boise has grown so much in the last 40+ years! I was lucky to have excellent science teachers in Boise, probably why I ended up in a science field. I hope you get to share your experiences with many, many students and maybe encourage a few of them to continue the study of ice! Thank you, Kathleen Cole

Thu, 07/30/2009 - 12:21

Mike Rhinard

Well hello there Kathleen!Welcome to PolarTREC, and welcome to Ny Alesund, Svalbard!
Being here in Ny Alesund really emphasizes what a small world it is.  There are scientists and students from all over the globe here.  In fact, last night there was a going away social for the group from China that's been working here.  It was great.  There had to be a dozen countries represented in the group of people mingling and talking.  
And now I get a note from you, a Boise jr high alum & polar scientist, on this forum. Yes, it is a much smaller world than most realize.
So, "Ice Lady", if you went to North JH, did you have John Schultz as a teacher there?  John was my mentor as a new teacher & is a dear friend.  He was at North for quite awhile.
 A couple of sea ice projects that we've been exposed to while here in Ny Alesund you may find interesting.  I'll let their websites explain what they do, but one is a joint NASA/Univ. Colorado project using a radio-controlled UAV to measure sea ice and the other is a hovercraft that goes over the sea ice to take measurements.  Not only that, but the hovercraft project took HS students.  What an experience.  You will have to check them out:
http://www.espo.nasa.gov/casie/
http://www.polarhovercraft.no/
 
Thanks for following along.  And thanks for the "Ask the Team" note.  Hope to be in touch again.  Do you ever get back to Boise? 
Mike

Thu, 07/30/2009 - 12:52

Kathleen Cole

Hi Mike,Mr. Schultz (old habits die hard) was my first science teacher at North and I think it was one of his first years teaching. He would probably remember me as "Kat" and he was a great teacher. It is nice to know others are following in his footsteps. Please pass on my best to John the next time you see him. I have not been back to Boise in about 3 years. My 30th high school reunion was last weekend and I could not attend. My husband wants to see the Western Idaho State Fair some year so one of these summers we will get back down there. I started with the NWS in Boise. It is a great place to live (although Alaska is pretty wonderful, too). I often look at the ice around Svalbard when I am pulling down data for the Arctic and would love to visit. I'm dreaming, they don't let me out of the office that often!
Kathleen

Thu, 07/30/2009 - 13:06

Mike Rhinard

That is awesome!  Yes, I will let John know we've visited.  I hope you keep following along with our expedition here in Svalbard, and the other PolarTREC expeditions as well.  It is a great program.
And if you do get back to Boise, look us up, won't you?