Ushuaia where everyone awaits before heading to the main event that is Antarctica. Today was crammed full of lectures, talks with the instructors and crew. It was a lot to take in but well worth it, as we get some key background information about the current dynamics and past paleoenvironmental history of the great white south.
Tomorrow we hike, to take some Tierra del Fuego scenery, and enjoy a last picnic lunch on land. At 17h we will board the Ushuaia and set sail down the Beagle Channel. We hope to see many sea birds, and one researcher, Santiago, will guide us as we do a survey of the current bird populations.
To end the night we talked about boat safety, and watched a slideshow of pictures from previous expeditions. It´s so close now. We are all full of anticipation, as the real journey begins tomorrow.
We Arrive At The Fin Del Mundo, Ushuaia
The team have all arrived in Ushuaia, Argentina (the sourthern most city in world). Surrounded on three sides by mountains, and open on one to the Beagle Channel the scenery is very picturesque. The weather here can turn on a dime, being beautiful and sunny to miserably and wet.
Although our flights here were arduous (two redeyes and long lay overs), we have survived and arrived in good spirits. We met the rest of the expedition crew, 59 students in total from 29 Universities all over the world. The Carleton contingent has quite the representation here, only one other school is on par St. Andrews.
Everyone is full of enthusiasm for the journey that is to come. It´s unbelievable, surreal even, that it is so close. We had our first debrief where we met the entire crew, eveyone gave a short blurb about themselves and what they were most looking forward to(whales, penguins, icebergs, glaciers, and the dreaded drake passage were the top five).
Tomorrow is packed with lectures, a walking tour and preparations for our departure Wednesday afternoon.
Although our flights here were arduous (two redeyes and long lay overs), we have survived and arrived in good spirits. We met the rest of the expedition crew, 59 students in total from 29 Universities all over the world. The Carleton contingent has quite the representation here, only one other school is on par St. Andrews.
Everyone is full of enthusiasm for the journey that is to come. It´s unbelievable, surreal even, that it is so close. We had our first debrief where we met the entire crew, eveyone gave a short blurb about themselves and what they were most looking forward to(whales, penguins, icebergs, glaciers, and the dreaded drake passage were the top five).
Tomorrow is packed with lectures, a walking tour and preparations for our departure Wednesday afternoon.
Article in the Ottawa Citizen
This article by Tom Spears went online January 29th.
http://bit.ly/hoFyxx
http://bit.ly/hoFyxx
Carleton University Send Off
February 3rd - 10am till 2pm - Atrium, 4th Floor Unicentre, Carleton University, Ottawa
Carleton University is giving us a send off for our upcoming journey to Antarctica. The team will be there to answer your questions, discuss our expectations, talk about the trip and what we are most looking forward to. So please come on out and show your support.
We are selling tickets for our upcoming fundraiser at Absolute Comedy (February 10th) for $15. Also Penny the Penguin will be there, so bring your loose change and help send her home.
Andrew on behalf of the Antarctica Team
Carleton University is giving us a send off for our upcoming journey to Antarctica. The team will be there to answer your questions, discuss our expectations, talk about the trip and what we are most looking forward to. So please come on out and show your support.
We are selling tickets for our upcoming fundraiser at Absolute Comedy (February 10th) for $15. Also Penny the Penguin will be there, so bring your loose change and help send her home.
Andrew on behalf of the Antarctica Team
CKCU (93.1 FM) - Interview
Tuesday February 1st 8 am
Jeremy and Andrew will be giving an interview about their upcoming journey to the southernmost continent of Antarctica on CKCU (93.1 FM). Tune in.
Jeremy and Andrew will be giving an interview about their upcoming journey to the southernmost continent of Antarctica on CKCU (93.1 FM). Tune in.
The Expedition
Students on Ice (www.studentsonice.com) is an award-winning Canadian organization that, for a decade, has been bringing students from all over the world to the Arctic and Antarctic regions in order to teach interdisciplinary polar science in a natural outdoor classroom and foster environmental stewardship.
The Antarctic University Expedition in February 2011 will have approximately seventy participating students and twenty university faculty from around the world including, a group of 7 students from Carleton University. Setting sail from Ushuaia, Argentina we brave the Drake Passage to tour the coast of Antarctica. Students will make frequent field trips to the Antarctic mainland via Zodiac inflatables. These landings will be supplemented by lectures, seminars and lab exercises on the Antarctic landmass and aboard the expedition vessel, giving students the opportunity to interact with world-class researchers who specialize in diverse fields of studies. The knowledge and experience gained will give insight, not only for completing thesis work, but also achieving career aspirations in the future. Testimonials from previous students, who have been lucky enough to travel to this part of the world, have only been positive, citing the life changing experience of traveling to such a unique environment and being part of such an inspiring crew. Students will be broadcasting their experiences back to Canada through blogs, video diaries and other social media. Upon returning, they will also share their experiences via public presentations and the creation of a documentary to be filmed during the expedition.
The Antarctic University Expedition in February 2011 will have approximately seventy participating students and twenty university faculty from around the world including, a group of 7 students from Carleton University. Setting sail from Ushuaia, Argentina we brave the Drake Passage to tour the coast of Antarctica. Students will make frequent field trips to the Antarctic mainland via Zodiac inflatables. These landings will be supplemented by lectures, seminars and lab exercises on the Antarctic landmass and aboard the expedition vessel, giving students the opportunity to interact with world-class researchers who specialize in diverse fields of studies. The knowledge and experience gained will give insight, not only for completing thesis work, but also achieving career aspirations in the future. Testimonials from previous students, who have been lucky enough to travel to this part of the world, have only been positive, citing the life changing experience of traveling to such a unique environment and being part of such an inspiring crew. Students will be broadcasting their experiences back to Canada through blogs, video diaries and other social media. Upon returning, they will also share their experiences via public presentations and the creation of a documentary to be filmed during the expedition.
Sponsorship
Please donate (through the ChipIn link on the right) and help support our expedition!
Your sponsorship represents many positives. Firstly, you will be supporting young researchers who through this experience will accelerate their career paths in science, through exposure to world class researchers who will share their experience and expertise. By endorsing the trip, you will provide students with the chance to return home and tell a story about a different world that very few have the opportunity to experience: one that is under threat due to shifting climate and unstable environmental conditions.
The students will be able to give back to you in many ways:
- We would show our gratitude, by visiting your company and giving presentations upon our return; presenting a frame photo or plaque
- During our many fundraising events we would prominently display your company logo honouring your donations
- During and upon our return, we will be giving interviews, writing blogs and would be sure to mention your generosity.
- A documentary will be filmed during the expedition. This can be shared with your company for promotional events. We can also send a postcard from Antarctica.
- Depending on the logistics involved, the ability to test your products in the harsh Antarctic environment may be a possibility.
- Also, Students on Ice has received charitable status. For donations of $3000 or more, tax receipts are available.
Your sponsorship represents many positives. Firstly, you will be supporting young researchers who through this experience will accelerate their career paths in science, through exposure to world class researchers who will share their experience and expertise. By endorsing the trip, you will provide students with the chance to return home and tell a story about a different world that very few have the opportunity to experience: one that is under threat due to shifting climate and unstable environmental conditions.
The students will be able to give back to you in many ways:
- We would show our gratitude, by visiting your company and giving presentations upon our return; presenting a frame photo or plaque
- During our many fundraising events we would prominently display your company logo honouring your donations
- During and upon our return, we will be giving interviews, writing blogs and would be sure to mention your generosity.
- A documentary will be filmed during the expedition. This can be shared with your company for promotional events. We can also send a postcard from Antarctica.
- Depending on the logistics involved, the ability to test your products in the harsh Antarctic environment may be a possibility.
- Also, Students on Ice has received charitable status. For donations of $3000 or more, tax receipts are available.
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