Information for:
Information for:
Follow the Students on Ice expedition team (including one of our researchers) during their two-week voyage into the High Arctic. Track their location, read daily journal entries and see up-to-the minute videos on the expedition blog.
Ottawa, August 5, 2010—For the 10th year in a row, high-school students from Canada and abroad convene Ottawa before departing on a two-week Arctic expedition, led by the award-winning educational organization Students on Ice.
The launch event takes place August 5 at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, which has been a partner with Students on Ice since the first trip to the Arctic in 2001.
On August 6, the participants will board the expedition vessel M/V Lyubov Orlova at Kuujjuaq in northern Quebec to undertake a journey along the northern reaches of Nunavik and southeastern Baffin Island. They return to Ottawa on August 19.
"These youth will explore a part of the planet that very few get to experience—a place widely recognized as an early-warning system for climate change", said Geoff Green, founder of Students on Ice. "We know by experience that many of the students come back with new perspectives, and are inspired to serve as ambassadors about environmental issues that affect not only the Arctic, but also the rest of the world."
The participants include more than 25 northern aboriginal youth, as well as students from Monaco, Norway, France, Hong Kong, the United States and eight provinces and three territories of Canada. An international team of 34 scientists, historians, artists, explorers, educators and polar experts rounds out the expedition.
"Once again, the Canadian Museum of Nature is pleased to contribute our scientific expertise to the Students on Ice expedition," says Maureen Dougan, Interim President and CEO for the Canadian Museum of Nature. "By sharing our knowledge, we help inspire youth about the importance of understanding biodiversity and the environmental issues facing the Arctic."
Joining the educators this year will be Paul Hamilton, a Canadian Museum of Nature researcher who specializes in the study of algae and water quality. He has more than 20 years of experience conducting taxonomic and ecological studies across Canada, the United States, Mexico and Indonesia. Hamilton will serve as a mentor and will give presentations and workshops, including sessions on Arctic plants and how scientists reconstruct past climates using fossilized remains of algae known as diatoms.
For itinerary details and to follow the expedition blog, visit http://www.studentsonice.com/arctic2010.
To arrange interviews, obtain more information about the expedition or to meet team-members on board ship, contact Chris Ralph (contact information appears below).
Students on Ice is an award-winning organization that provides students from around the world with inspiring educational opportunities at both ends of our Earth and in doing so, helps them foster a new understanding and respect for our planet.
The Canadian Museum of Nature is Canada's natural history and natural science museum. It promotes awareness of Canada's natural heritage through permanent and travelling exhibitions, public education programmes, active scientific research, the maintenance of a 10-million-specimen collection and a comprehensive web site, nature.ca.
Chris Ralph
Students on Ice Expeditions
Tel: 819.827.3300
Toll-free: 866.336.6423
chris@studentsonice.com
Dan Smythe
Senior Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Nature
613.566.4781
dsmythe@mus-nature.ca
240 McLeod Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
(corner of Metcalfe Street)
613.566.4700
TTY: 613.566.4770
1.800.263.4433
TTY: 1.866.600.8801
