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The PolarTREC Field Experience

The Dry Valleys Ecosystem project (a Long Term Ecological Research program - LTER) has been a continuous line of research since the inception of the McMurdo Dry Valley LTER since 1992. This project seeks to test hypotheses regarding the response of Antarctic biotic communities to changes in climatic conditions over time. I participated in the 30th

Teacher Bill Henske describes the science and fieldwork behind the Dry Valleys Ecosystem Study from McMurdo Field Station in Antarctica. This presentation took place on 24 January 2023.

News clip from local St. Louis TV station KMOV4 about PolarTREC teacher Bill Henske on his expedition studying in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica.

Overview

Students will learn about the difference between the methods of neutrino detection – optical versus radio. This will then allow them to understand why the relative size of the detectors is so different. Students will also engage in a hands-on activity to understand scale through creating models of the two detectors.

Objectives

Students can understand the scale size of

Overview

Students will conduct citizen science to better understand the importance of subatomic particles in relationship to astrophysical events.

Objectives

• Students will be able to articulate their understanding of the importance of citizen science.
• Students can explain how subatomic particles can be used to understand astrophysical events.

Lesson Preparation

Ensure that every student (or student pair) has access

Introduction

PolarTREC, the teacher-research program run through ARCUS (Arctic Research Consortium of the United States) and the National Science Foundation is a transformative, inspirational, and highly valuable experience for science teachers. Being provided with the opportunity to engage in authentic scientific practices allows teachers to enrich their own classroom activities and inspires the next generation of young scientists to

Lesley Anderson was connected with local California radio station KSON before and during her trip to South Pole, Antarctica as part of the PolarTREC program. 1. KSON Radio Station hosts a live interview with Lesley Anderson at the food fund in Bonita, CA.: http://www.kson.com/media/audio-channel/john-and-tammys-food-fund-friday-bonita 2. Article in John & Tammy Blog (see downloadable article). 3. Facebook post during her stay

The Star News, a Chula Vista newspaper interviews Lesley Anderson about her experience studying neutrinos at the South Pole and her plans to bring the research back into her classroom.

2017 Antarctica Day celebration with PolarTREC teacher Lesley Anderson speaking from the South Pole, and researcher Dr. Jim Madsen discussing the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the Askaryan Radio Array. This event was held on 4 December 2017.

Overview

My high school has a Science Club whose members visit local elementary schools and run various “stations” that (elementary) students visit for 10-15 minutes before rotating to a different one. This lesson is designed to be one those – a quick hitting, but engaging look into polar science that will stir the kids’ inherent curiosity and get them