During our morning announcements today, we got the word that all of us were waiting and hoping for. We were going to get a chance to go on the ice – literally walk on the frozen Arctic Ocean. This was a privilege and an opportunity provided by the NABOS Chief Scientist, Summer School Director, Captain, and other lead scientists, and I think we were all just hoping that nothing would happen (weather, technical issues, polar bears) that would take the opportunity away. But regardless, the first thing was a mandatory safety briefing – we were reminded that we just saw polar bears the day before, that weather and ice conditions are unpredictable, and that we were to follow the lead scientist and stay on the paths already created. Then we were told how we would be getting to the ice from the ship – by crane, standing on a pallet, surrounded by a net. I never expected to “be the cargo” that a crane was moving.
Before going on the ice, you need to know the equipment you’ll be using, and plan for who will be responsible for what – because you have limited time, and things can be dangerous if you’re not careful (think about getting a scarf caught in a drill). When we went out on the ice, we were going to be doing real measurements of the ice with scientist and summer school instructor Alice Orlich. I was reminded yet again how I find it amazing that high-level research can be done using seemingly simple tools. We used a ruler to measure snow thickness on the ice, a drill with a few foot auger attached, a measuring tape with a hook on the end (to drop through the hole in the ice and measure ice thickness), a screwdriver to poke through holes on any frozen equipment, and a flashlight to look more closely at ice layers. And we had a line stretched 50 meters between the buoys, marked every 5 meters. On the ice, each person had a job. One had the ruler, one had the drill, one had the data sheet, one person dragged the sled with the equipment, and everyone was a second pair of eyes on everything else. Plus everyone wanted to take a minute to look around and really appreciate where we were. Drilling a hole in Arctic ice is definitely something I’ll check off my bucket list though!
Photo from Anna Gnevasheva
Being on the ice was surreal. We had a job to do, and we were on a timeframe. But we have been looking at the ice since we’ve been on the ship, and now was a chance to look back at our ship on the ice. Turning 360°, there was white, white, white, ship, white. I will count today as having been one of the singular great experiences of my life, and not just for the insanely cool and incredibly rare opportunity to walk on (frozen) water at the top of the planet. It’s because we are not just here because it’s super cool. All these scientists and technicians onboard are here because they are working to better understand the Earth – ocean, atmosphere, ice, land, living things, and how they’re all connected. And I love that I’m here to work on a related goal – to help bring all of you along on the journey and maybe even inspire you to learn more too. This is a day to tell the grandkids about someday.
How does the work that you’re doing in the arctic relate to your job at the science museum?
Hi Nicole, another great question! Part of my job at the science museum is to develop opportunities to bring cutting-edge, current science (climate change is a great example of that) into our Museum visitor experience – whether that is through exhibits or education programs. This expedition was a chance to do all those things! By connecting visitors to real scientists, and the real tools of science, this was a chance for people to feel like they’re involved in awesome science first-hand, and then when I get back, there are more chances to get all this cool stuff into displays and education programs! Especially with our new Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science being under construction, it’s an exciting time to bring the Arctic to Miami!
I think that its wonderful that you are getting students involved with such an amazing activity. This is a great example of hands on experience in science. It’s great to see that scientists are not the only one benefiting from this experience.
Nicole, you just made my day with your comment! It’s true, the scientists and scientists onboard are doing amazing things, and I’m so happy to be able to share it with you and everyone else. I hope one of the benefits is that inspires some people, especially young students, to think science is really cool. Thanks again for the note!
I think it was amazing that you had the chance to walk on the ice. I hope everyone was okay and that you had a really fun experience maybe one day I’ll walk on the ice
Dear Elmonty, thanks, walking on the ice was amazing! I hope you get to do it someday yourself too! It was great fun, but it’s even cooler that we were there to learn about this amazing environment – hopefully to help us all make better decisions about the climate in order to preserve it.
how can you determine the weather by using the weather balloon?what type of air is the weather balloon filled with? i am one of ms.gilberts students
Hi Ashley, the balloon is filled with helium, which is lighter than the air in the atmosphere – this is why the balloon rises. What the balloon measures is temperature, air pressure, and humidity at different locations and altitudes. Since you can track the balloon with GPS, you can figure out where and when these atmospheric conditions occurred. It’s pretty cool!
You are so bundled up in your photos that it took me quite a while to realize that I met you before, wow. I can not even fathom being in weather less than 60-something, I do not understand how you can make it out there. Coming from my Miami all the way out to the Arctic, was it a big struggle?
Hi Indigo, that’s funny, when did we meet? I can’t tell from just your first name, did you participate in a program at the Museum? I actually really love cold weather! I love Miami, but for me it’s nice to be in the cold for a while – of course we still have to be safe and wear layers and be safe when the temperatures are so cold and below freezing.