|
An Interdisciplinary Experience in Polar Studies
The first IPY Polar field school hosted in collaboration with APECS, IPY Norway, University of the Arctic (UArctic) and the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) was held from 15 June – 3 July in Svalbard. Twenty four talented undergraduate and masters students from 11 nations were selected from nearly 300 applicants to take part in this interdisciplinary polar experience in the high arctic. The three week course focused on the IPY themes combining lectures, seminars, field excursions and project work in topics including climatology, glaciology, marine and terrestrial biology, oceanography, geology, permafrost and the human dimension.
Week 1 Report
Two weeks into the IPY Polar Field School in Svalbard, the 24 students have gained valuable knowledge of polar issues. A series of lectures in Arctic natural sciences have been combined with field excursions in and around Longyearbyen, which have been documented in the students' IPY blogs.
The students have settled in nicely to their new home for the duration of the IPY Polar Field School – acclimating to the colder-than-usual weather (for most), fostering new friendships, and expanding upon their breadth of knowledge on polar issues.
The students were able to apply much of the content covered in the lectures on their recent excursions to Adventdalen, Bjørndalen and Isfjorden. Permafrost measurements were taken at Adventdalen, while terrestrial biological samples were collected to investigate the native plant and invertebrate ecology along Bjørndalen. The students were picked up at Bjørndalen to continue their remaining marine biology fieldwork in the Isfjorden.
It hasn’t been all work and no play, as the students partook in a midsummer bonfire party on the beach, and were able to explore more of Svalbard on their own during their free day. Many of the students took the opportunity to go on a long hike around Longyearbyen, while another small group of students took a day cruise to Pyramiden, the abandoned Russian settlement in Billefjorden.
Week 2 Report
This past weekend, students from the IPY-UArctic field school went on a 2-day excursion to Kapp Linne and Barentsburg. The students embarked on their journey to the Western edge of Svalbard in 3 zodiac boats, with hopes that the prevailing westward winds would subdue enough for their travel through Isfjord. After surviving the bumpy two-hour journey, the students partook in a 6-hour hike around Kapp Linne.
The students were introduced to nearly 600 million years of geological history along the coastline. However, hopes to rediscover the dinosaur prints on the Jurassic rocks were met with slight disappointment, as the tide was too high. All was not lost, as the students were able to pick through the large traces of fossils littering the Permian rocks.
The evening was spent at historic Isfjord Radio station, and the students kept a close eye out for the polar bears that regularly frequent the hotel. Several students were brave enough to delve into the frigid seawaters for their second polar dip of the field school.
Sunday also involved another 7 km hike to investigate the permafrost on Kapp Linne. On the way to Barentsburg, the students were also able to see one of the newest walrus colonies in southern Svalbard. Sunday afternoon was spent in Barentsburg, where students were given a tour on one of the two Russian settlements here in Svalbard. An authentic Russian lunch complimented the visit.
The students will be spending the upcoming days working on their group projects in preparation for their posters and presentations.
Final Report
After a successful three weeks of learning polar science from first hand experience at the UArctic/IPY-Norway field school, students are setting off to their home countries and institutions around the globe.
Poster and oral presentation deadlines made for a busy final week, with only a couple days to analyse and process all the samples collected throughout the previous two weeks. The students were expected to make scientifically rigorous conclusions on their new data as part of their assessment for the course. The Gateway room had the consistent aroma of coffee brewing as students spent late nights familiarizing themselves with new computer software and analytical techniques, identifying species and, for most, exploring a discipline outside their own.
The students were also further challenged with the task of meeting with local journalists and answering questions on their findings. Enthusiastic discussions filled the main entrance of UNIS, at the their poster session – proving their ability to produce results under tight deadlines.
Evaluators were particularly impressed with the calibre of science achieved by the ‘energetic and enthusiastic’ group. A key finding highlighted in the projects, was the discovery of a new invertebrate species not previously observed on Svalbard.
Read about the application and selection process.
Download our Flyers! Flyer 1 Flyer 2
|
