Professional Development

Antarctica or Bust

December 13, 2000 1 min read
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This winter, seven teachers from across the United States will be in Antarctica as part of National Science Foundation Program that pairs K-12 teachers with professional research teams. These photos show the teachers and their students preparing for the adventure.

Sixth graders at Bench Elementary, in Billings, Mont., present a banner that they have all touched for good luck to teacher Richard M. Jones. Mr. Jones plans to fly the banner at the Pole.
—Allison Shelley




Mrs. Kidder’s first grade class (which includes Mr. Jones’ son, Casey) present a banner for Mr. Jones to fly from a research blimp at the Pole.
—Allison Shelley



Cody Brown, left, and Chris Healow, both seniors, put the finishing touches on a paper car in preparation for the “egg challenge.” Students’ creations are loaded with a raw egg and catapulted toward a brick wall. The egg should survive the crash without breaking.
—Allison Shelley



A sample of the light-sensitive “UV bead zipper pulls” that teacher Richard Jones plans to take with him to compare the effect of the intensified ultraviolet light at the Pole with the light in Billings. The beads change from white to a variety of colors when exposed to light.
— Allison Shelley


Teacher Kevin A. Lavigne and a sample of the Antarctic soil that his students are testing.
—Allison Shelley



Hanover (N.H.) High School student Mike Perenza manages the titration process as part of a test to determine the carbon content of a sample Antarctic soil. Dartmouth student Katie Catapano, who will be part of an Anarctic team this season, helps.
—Allison Shelley

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