The scientists shared pictures of their travels on a military plane and landing on the ice. We saw the base camp where they were issued gear necessary to survive in the severe temperatures: tents, clothing, boots, and sleeping bags.
We learned a song and dance (penguin moves) scientists do to keep warm while out in the field doing research. During the visit, they shared ice which was cored and extracted from a glacier dating 10,000 and 100,000 years old. We learned that they are testing and measuring particles and air bubbles in the ice to see what was in the atmosphere during that time. They also shared how they are studying the limited plant and animal life on land and the extensive life found below water. They are trying to determine how climate change is affecting them.
Jill is an artist as well as a scientist. She shared some of her watercolor paintings and how she uses scientific graphs to tell a story through art. Students were given the chance to create art from a variety of graphs. Students were encouraged to tell their own story about how they felt about the information in the graph by turning the graph into a work of art.
It was a great experience for students and we thank these scientists for sharing their time and expertise with us!
