FortWhyte Alive collaborated with the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Earth Observation Science to host the 17th annual Arctic Science Day in early March.
This day is a unique learning experience for students and teachers to learn about Arctic science and careers in climate change research and environmental sciences from real scientists.
For the in-person event, over 170 students and their teachers learned about Arctic research, such as marine mammal species and threats they face due to climate change and human impact, ocean acidification and the effect of carbon dioxide on water chemistry, how contaminants such as mercury impact food chains, ice core sampling and snow science, Arctic microbiology including marine food webs, and biological oceanography involving the density of salt water and freshwater.
A virtual learning option gives more students, including Northern classrooms, the opportunity to learn too.
"Seeing different career options, and multiple perspectives of how climate change is affecting wildlife was a valuable part of the student experience" - Teacher at Arctic Science Day
Students also shared some insights into their learning experience:
“Hands-on learning helped me understand more about Arctic science and how researchers do their experiments and understand acidity, water quality, and more.”
“Learning and understanding the beauty of the Arctic and why we should try to save it was valuable for me”
“The bonds and people I met/talked to as well as learning about all the amazing careers and research opportunities were a great part of my experience”
“I liked learning about the Arctic animals and playing Indigenous games.”
A big thank you to the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Earth Observation Science, and Manitoba Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Council for providing the day’s workshops and helping us to inspire the next generation of environmental scientists.
Thanks to our generous sponsors, NSERC-Promoscience, Honda Canada Foundation and Natural Habitat Adventures for supporting this year’s Arctic Science Day.
