Researcher Elizabeth Webb discusses her experiences working in the field with a PolarTREC teacher. She worked with John Wood in 2011 and 2012, and Tom Lane in 2013, on the Carbon Balance in Warming and Drying Tundra expedition near Healy, Alaska. (She primarily discusses her time with John Wood since this interview was taken in 2013, before Tom Lane's expedition.)
Dieuwertje Kast, a previous Grand Awards Judge for Intel ISEF, was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the science sector. Dieuwertje strongly believes in encouraging young people in STEM and providing opportunities for low-income and underrepresented students. As for advice for those interested in science, Dieuwertje said to be your authentic self and follow your passions. And
Research Connection highlighted Dieuwertje Kast as a STEM Educator and how she is including current research in her classrooms.
Quote for the Article:
"I love being the STEM translator for researchers," she told us in an interview. "I love seeing what current researchers are working on so that I can bring that into my k-12 classrooms as lessons and inspirations
Dieuwertje Kast was mentioned in the Champion Newspapers of Chino Valley. Her quote mentioned PolarTREC. Her quote was "Dieuwertje Kast of Chino was included by Forbes Magazine in its “30 under 30” listing, representing the field of science. Her work at the University of Southern California JEP (Joint Educational Project) includes STEM education outreach and curriculum development with schools K-12
Dieuwertje Kast was nominated for the Forbes 30 under 30 in Science honor and the La Canada Outlook profiled the award and included a 2 paragraph description of her PolarTREC Expedition to the Arctic.
The paragraph included the following quote: Kast is an eager traveler who this summer will join an expedition to the Arctic with the PolarTREC program. In
Dieuwertje Kast's article about her upcoming PolarTREC expedition (Microbial Changes in Arctic Freshwater 2016) was posted USC Rossier (School of Education's) online news pages.
How a PolarTREC Teacher Makes a HUGE impact with Polar Day!
PolarTREC alumni teacher John Wood organized a Polar Day at his school and it was a great success. This event is part of his ongoing commitment to sharing polar science with his students, many years after his expedition! Here is John's synopsis of the events, with some photos and
Soil decomposers, such as some bacteria and fungi, obtain energy needed for life from dead and decomposing plant and animal remains, known as soil organic matter. Soil organic matter is important to local ecosystems because it affects soil structure, regulates soil moisture and temperature, and provides energy and nutrients to soil organisms. It is also important globally, because
This lesson/project/lab has students predict via multiple drawings and time lapse photography predictive Flubber flow before the placement of barriers and other obstacles in front of the Flubber. Contour lines in two directions are drawn on both the paper prediction and the Flubber for comparison purposes.
Following predictive drawing completion glacier flow (Flubber flow), with obstacles in place
Ground penetrating radar is an important tool for studying glacier dynamics. Glacier scientists use GPR images to analyze attributes of glaciers. The following research activity will familiarize students with the basics of the different types of glaciers and their dynamics along with ground penetrating radar and its use in glacier studies.