PhD polar scientists inspire the next generation at centenary event
Jenny Turton helps budding polar scientists with albedo experiment
© TJ Young
To celebrate the centenary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1914-16 Antarctic expedition, the International Polar Foundation and UK Polar Network joined forces to run a series of workshops about polar science and environmental changes over the past 100 years at Birmingham Thinktank.
Where did Shackleton go?
Visitors learnt about the route of Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition as well looking at other features of the Arctic and Antarctica using the International Polar Foundation’s interactive polar puzzles.
They then tried on some polar gear similar to that used by members of Shackelton’s 1914-16 expedition as well as clothing polar explorers and researchers wear today.
You can be a researcher too!
Polar researchers took time out of their busy schedules to inspire visitors with the fascinating world of polar science. Meteorological scientist Jenny Turton from the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge and the University of Leeds, along with marine biologist Maddie Brasier from the University of Liverpool, shared their experiences working in Antarctica. Ecologist Catherine Docherty from the University of Birmingham and glaciologist TJ Young from the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge talked about their research activities in the Arctic.
Participants got the chance to become scientists, putting on lab coats and conducting the IPF Class Zero Emission workshop experiments on sea level rise, snow and ice albedo, and ocean acidification.
Last chance..
The team were kept extremely busy over the three days, running a total of 16 workshops for school groups, Girl Guides and Brownies (scouts) and the general public as well as providing a “drop in” stand during the busiest day on Saturday.
The final event in the Sea Ice, Shackleton and Science series of workshops will be held at At Bristol science centre from 30th May to 1st June 2015.
The IPF would like to thank the UK Polar Network, Thinktank Birmingham Museums for an excellent collaboration and UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office for assistance with costs.
