Schools on Tundra 2: Settling In

LCC students Victor Zhao’13 and Andrew Hamilton’13 had the opportunity to participate in ArcticNet’s  Schools on Tundra program during the March Break.

“Students and teachers participating in the Schools on Tundra program [had] the unique opportunity to conduct authentic field research in the sub-arctic, engage with scientists working out of the [Churchill Northern Studies Centre] and participate in lectures and workshops. Participants also [experienced] the diverse geology, biodiversity, cultural history, and wild beauty that the area around Churchill offers.

The program was hosted at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC), a hive of scientific activity located outside of Churchill, MB Canada. Here, scientists are trying to increase our understanding of the changes that the sub-arctic is experiencing due to global climate change.”

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Feb 26th Blog pictureFebruary 26, 2012

So here we are. Churchill. Our train pulled into the station today, full of anticipation. After 45 hours on the train (and in towns along the way), I’d say that the arrival has also solved our restlessness. We are now a group of nine, waiting for our final member to arrive tonight. As far as the students go, there are four from Quebec, four from Manitoba and a pair from Nunavut. I already feel as though I’ve known these fellow participants for much longer than what time and addition say. Between midnight games of ninja in the snow in Gillam, MB, the (friendly) provincial competition in our card games, and the shared suffering of trying to sleep in seats on the train, we have grown incredibly close as a group.

For the next eight days, we will be staying at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to education and research on climate change in the North. The building that houses the organization (and us!) was purpose-built through donations from the provincial and federal governments, as well as through private donations. My favuorite part of the building has to be the Aurora Dome. As the name suggests, this is a dome on top of the building used to watch the Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights. Although we are out of season for polar bears, getting to see the lights from such a great vantage point will more than make up for it.

As I am writing this, we are preparing to hear a lecture from Dr. Pete Kershaw. He will be speaking to prepare us for tomorrow’s main activity, taking snow samples. We will also be hearing from a specialist on one of this area’s main attractions, the Aurora Borealis. –Andrew Hamilton ’13

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