Polar Conference

Schedule

POLAR STEM CONFERENCE AGENDA – July 28-30, 2022 

(Times listed in Alaska Standard Time and schedule subject to change! Check back frequently)

Check out the abstracts at Polar STEM conference abstracts

Day 1 – Thursday 7/28

Leading Question: What current resources, funding, opportunities, and technology exist to support Polar STEM field and in-classroom experiences?

0900 – Breakfast

1000 – Welcome and orientation & rules of engagement (Seth, Deb, Scott)

1015 – Presentations

1. A Tale of Two Cities: Empowering Students on the Frontlines of Climate Change through Field Experience – Alex Chumbley (in-person) & students (virtual)
2. Navigating the New Arctic Community Office: Connecting educators with Arctic research – Jenna Vater (in-person)
3. Break
4. Current and future outreach resources for incorporating Arctic field science in the classroom from a research station in Arctic Alaska – Haley Dunleavy (in-person)
5. “New” Earth and Planetary Sciences Polar Proving Ground – The Juneau Icefield Research Program – Seth Campbell (in-person)

1115 – Break

1130 – Discussion group breakout rooms

1300 – Lunch

1430 – Discussion group breakout rooms

1515 – Break

1630 – Keynote Speaker: Dr. Benjamin Santers – Additional information here: Dr. Ben Santer

1730 – Daily Summary & Group Discussions

1800 – End of Day – Dinner

 

Day 2 – Friday 7/29

Leading Question:  What are the current needs of students related to Polar STEM, what are the logistical challenges and barriers to these students, and how can we break barriers and build community within Polar STEM? 

0900 – Breakfast

1000 – Welcome and orientation (Seth, Deb, Scott)

1010 – Rules of engagement (Seth)

1020 – Presentations

6. Inspiring Girls Expeditions of Alaska: Removing barriers to accessing field sciences and the outdoors for teenaged youth and early career professionals – Joanna Young (virtual)
7. PSECCO: A New Community Office for Supporting Early Career Scientists and Advancing Equity and Inclusion in the Polar Sciences  – Mariama Dryak (virtual)
8. Break
9. The Intersection of Sustainability and Resource Development – Taylor Ferguson (in-person)
10. Making connections – Field experiences for high school students with Upward Bound and the Juneau Icefield Research Program – Scott Braddock (in-person)

1120 – Break

1130 – Discussion group breakout rooms

1300 – Lunch

1430 – Discussion group breakout rooms

1515 – Break

1630 – Keynote Speaker: TBD

1730 – Daily Summary & Group Discussions

1800 – End of Day – Dinner

 

Day 3 – Saturday 7/30

Leading Question:  How can we best create engaging and real-world Polar STEM and related experiences for students in the classroom?

0900 – Breakfast

1000 – Welcome and orientation (Seth, Deb, Scott)

1010 – Rules of engagement (Seth)

1020 – Presentations

1. Icebergs In Maine – Erin Towns (in-person)
2. Break
3. How T3 Alliance and Upward Bound are engaging students in STEM – Tate Barhaug (in-person)
4. Democratizing STEM with Polar Science –  Christine Hirst Bernhardt and Dr. Holly Miller (in-person)

1120 – Break

1130 – Discussion group breakout rooms

1200 – Keynote Speaker: Dr. Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon – Additional information here: Dr. Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon

1300 – Lunch

1430 – Conference Summary & Group Discussions

1600 – End of Day – Dinner

 

Primary Conference Topics of Interest (from Participant Questionnaire)

1. Research opportunities for summer experiences
2. Current resources & funding opportunities available for these experiences
3. Technology resources for classrooms
4. Connecting fieldwork and non-fieldwork roles in Polar research
5. Creating engaging, real-world Polar research in local classrooms
6. Logistical challenges for student participation in summer experiences
7. Current needs for participating communities
8. Breaking down barriers to entry into Polar STEM
9. Building communities in Polar STEM