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Arctic Science Day 2023: Making Arctic Science Education Possible

Posted on March 18, 2023

FortWhyte Alive is proud to partner with the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Earth Observation Sciences to bring learning alive during our free Specialty Science Days.

On March 1 and 2 we welcomed hundreds of students virtually and in-person for the 15th annual Arctic Science Day where students were able to take part in a series of stations and activities to learn about Arctic climate change research and environmental sciences with the goal of inspiring youth towards future careers in science.

But this isn’t just an opportunity for middle and high schoolers, this is a valuable chance for graduate students and researchers to share their research with youth.

Group of students snowshoeing towards camera across frozen lake.

Arctic Science Day 2023 kicked off on March 1st with a virtual session broadcast to 330 students from 16 classrooms. Throughout the session students learned about the impacts of climate change on interactions between freshwater ice from glaciers and icebergs, and seawater, as well as marine mammal research and life then and now in the Arctic – archaeology and modern Inuit communities.

The next day FortWhyte welcomed nearly 150 students in person for hands-on environmental education and experiments in the Alloway Reception Centre and right on the ice of Lake Cargill.

Students holding and being handed cards and samples.

Nearly 60 high school students from 11 schools spent the day visiting research stations at FortWhyte’s Siobhan Richardson Field Station and out on the ice learning about sunlight reflection & absorption through sea ice, how to take ice cores, marine mammals, and Arctic archaeology.

Other topics included impacts of ocean acidification and contaminants such as methylmercury.

Student using auger while it's being held stable by instructor.

Over at the Interpretive Centre, 85 middle school students from 5 schools learned about the challenges of oil spill cleanup in the Arctic, how drones are used to do Arctic research, and how marine mammals can be exciting but challenging to study.

Students and teachers left with a deeper understanding of the environmental issues facing the Arctic today – and students kindled their interest in Arctic ecosystem and climate change research.

Groups of students on frozen lake as seen over edge of snow castle.

A big thank you to University of Manitoba’s Centre for Earth Observation Science, and the team of more than 20 graduate students and research scientists who took time away from their busy schedules to inspire the next generation.

Thank you to our generous sponsors, NSERC-Promoscience and Honda Canada Foundation, for supporting this year’s Arctic Science Day and making hands-on environmental education like this possible.