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VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP

 

 

Antarctic Science

 

Our mission at PocketLab is to remove barriers to more engaged science classroom.

 

 

 

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What Your Students Will Learn

In this 90-minute virtual field trip, your students will journey to the edge of the Earth—live from Antarctica with PBS science journalist Miles O'Brien and researchers aboard the RV Araon:

  • Connect live with scientists returning from Thwaites Glacier to hear firsthand how they study one of the most rapidly changing places on the planet
  • Go behind the scenes of polar research to see how ships, sensors, and cutting-edge technology are used to monitor glaciers and ocean conditions
  • Explore innovative climate solutions like undersea "sea curtains" designed to slow ice loss and protect coastal communities around the world
  • Hear directly from glaciologists, oceanographers, and engineers about the real questions driving their research—and how collaboration leads to solutions for our biggest challenges
  • Discover how classroom science connects to global research, with a free student worksheet to guide engagement during the broadcast and a video replay to revisit on your own schedule
 
PocketLab makes teaching easier

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Modern Probeware
 
Easy to use multi-function sensors for the STEM classroom. Spend less class time prepping and more time teaching, learning, and applying.
 

Notebook

Curriculum & Lab Support

In addition to wireless data collection and visualization, this FREE web app includes thousands of interactive, standards-aligned lessons and resources rich with time-saving AI tools for teachers.

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Community
 
Our Science is Cool (ScIC) community offers free PD, virtual field trips, podcasts, and events that keep STEM teaching fresh and inspiring.

Student Worksheets

Create a free Notebook account to assign these lessons digitally. You can also use our Notebook AI tools to translate into other languages, adjust reading level, etc. Instructions are found in the notes at the top using the button below.

Alternatively, after you login to your free Notebook account, you can access a printable PDF version using the blue dropdown button at the top.

Big thanks to our friends at Kesler Science for putting these together. They created a pre-event lesson, during the event lesson, and a post-event reflection lesson.

 

Virtual Field Trip Highlights

* All times listed in Mountain Time (Denver)

 

10:00AM

Welcome from PocketLab and Miles O'Brien plus the team aboard the RV Araon

10:10AM

Keith MakinsonKeith Circle (1)

Keith will tell us about using hot water drilling techniques to drill 1000 meters into the glacier to collect sensor data from the top of the ice all the way down to the ocean water below the glacier.

10:25AM

Jamin Greenbaum Jamin Greenbaum Circle (1)

Jamin will share how he is deploying his Recoverable Ice Fracture Ocean Explorer Platform for water sampling and acoustic triangulation.

10:40AM

Mahren HudsonMahren Circle

Mahren explains how they are using underwater autonomous glider drones to collect sensor data and map water masses as they move around the glacier.

10:55AM

Chris PierceChris Circle (2)

Chris will give us insight into his ten-day helicopter radar tool campaign mapping ice thickness and subglacial hydrology. 

11:10AM

Siobhán Johnsonsiobhan Circle (1)

Siobhán will explain how they are improving climate models and satellite observations of sea ice by collecting and analyzing manually collected ice core samples.

11:20AM

Commentary and Closing Remarks

Dave, Miles O'Brien and Climate Scientist, David Holland wrap up our day with Q&A, final thoughts, and next steps for your students.

Bring Sensor Tech to Your Classroom

The scientists in Antarctica are using sensor technology to aid in their research. You can put similar, affordable, sensors into the hands of your students to replicate the science.

PocketLab Sensor Family

  • Instantly record 30 different measurements such as acceleration, speed, distance, pH, air quality, temperature, humidity, magnetic fields, CO2 and more
  • Multi-function, compact and wireless
  • Intuitive design facilitates quicker lab prep. Learning just one sensor prepares students for them all.

Learn more

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Free Notebook Web App 🔗

  • Wirelessly connects with any PocketLab sensor

  • Hundreds of ready-to-use lessons included

  • Built-in AI tools help differentiate lessons

  • Real-time data visualization for inquiry learning

Sign up for free

Notebook

Student Challenge

During the field trip we discussed the struggles that the hot water drill team faced. The challenge for your students, come up with an innovative, creative alternative to using hot water drilling. All entries will be judged by our guest, Dr. David Holland, Climate Scientist.

The winner will receive a signed poster from the expedition.

Send your entries to contact@thepocketlab.com

 

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Resources

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