In the Siberian tundra, alumnus Tim Martin ’91, an earth science teacher at Greensboro (N.C.) Day School, lived and researched with an international team of scientists – from the United States, Germany, Russia and Austria – through the Polar TREC program, where K-12 teachers are paired with researchers in authentic polar research experiences. Martin was selected from applications of about 225 educators.
Martin, part of the “Geologic Climate Research in Siberia” expedition, helped scientists for a month, between March and April, conduct research at Lake El’gygytgyn, a crater lake created by a meteorite 3.6 million years ago. The lake is an important resource to researchers because it is the largest and oldest lake basin in the Arctic that is believed to be undisturbed by glaciers. The goal of the project is to better understand the role of the arctic in global climate change.
Martin’s role in the expedition was to share the science with students, teachers and the general public through their Web site. To read from Martin’s journal, visit: www.polartrec.com/geologic-climate-research-in-siberia/journals/tim-martin.
–By Tyler Falk ’09