Polar STEAM Team

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Polar STEAM Team

Where Curiosity Thrives

08/19/2026

What drives ocean currents, and why do they matter for our climate? Join researcher Margaret Lindeman (Harvard University) and educator Kathleen Fuller (Milwaukie High School) live from the Labrador Sea, where they're working aboard the R/V Neil Armstrong as part of the OSNAP (Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program), an international effort to study ocean circulation in the North Atlantic.

Margaret and Kathleen will share how scientists use underwater moorings and in situ water sampling to measure temperature, salinity, and ocean currents.

Tune in on August 28th at 12 pm PST to hear firsthand what it's like to conduct research at sea and learn how scientists study the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), one of the key drivers of global climate!

08/17/2026

What happens when science, art, and education come together in the Arctic? Educator Fellow Karla Lopez Calderon explored that question through two powerful reflections from her time with the Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) team. In her post "Listening to Science: How an Artist Changed the Way I Think About STEM Education" Karla shares how artist Nikki Lindt's Subterranean Voice project challenged her to think about science not just as something we observe and analyze, but something we can experience through sound, wonder, and curiosity.

In her blog post "The Real Dream Team" Karla reflects on her time in the field with Researcher Fellow Rose Cory and the team's beloved "Dream Team" box, a container filled with the everyday supplies that keep fieldwork moving. The box became a metaphor for something much bigger: the researchers, artists, educators, technicians, and support staff whose diverse talents and perspectives make Arctic science possible. Through these experiences, Karla discovered that understanding our world requires both creativity and collaboration.

Read Karla's blog posts about her time in the field by following the link in our bio!

08/13/2026

For our Educator Fellow Kathleen Fuller, Day 9 at sea turned into a record-breaking day of ocean science: 17 CTD casts in a single 12-hour shift. Working alongside the OSNAP (Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program) team, Kathleen contributed to an international research effort studying ocean circulation systems. What began as an ordinary shift quickly became a nonstop cycle of deploying instruments, collecting water samples, processing data, and preparing for the next station.

Working on a research vessel requires constant teamwork and coordination. Kathleen's team moved seamlessly between the deck and the lab, collecting samples for a variety of analyses while racing to reset equipment before the ship reached its next location. With little time for breaks, every team member played a critical role in keeping operations running smoothly.

Read more about Kathleen's experience working with the OSNAP team in her new blog post "Persistance Prevails". Link in bio!

08/11/2026

As part of her field experience with Polar STEAM, Educator fellow Renae Kerrigan joined Dr. Tom Glass and researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Arctic Beaver Observation Network (A-BON) to explore how beavers are transforming Arctic landscapes. From navigating uneven tundra and relentless rain to visiting beaver ponds that didn't exist a decade ago, she experienced firsthand the incredible impact these ecosystem engineers are having on the North.

Beyond the science, Renae found something equally meaningful: the quiet beauty of the tundra. Surrounded only by the sounds of wind, rain, and wildlife, she experienced a landscape unlike any she had encountered before.

Read more about Renae's time in Alaska working with the A-BON team in her new blog post "Alive in the Alaskan Tundra". Link in bio!

07/30/2026

Whether you're an educator looking for innovative teaching strategies, a researcher seeking to strengthen science communication skills, an artist inspired by polar stories, or simply curious about the polar regions, the Polar STEAM Summit has something for you. Be part of a growing community dedicated to connecting science, art, and education.

Early bird pricing ends Friday 7/31!

Learn more at:
polarsteam.info/polar-steam-summit/ or
via the Linktree in our bio.

07/28/2026

Step into a space where polar science and creativity converge.

The Polar STEAM Summit brings together educators, researchers, artists, and polar enthusiasts to spark collaboration and share innovative tools and resources. Through interactive sessions, storytelling, and reflection on practice, we’ll deepen connections, expand art-science integration, and nurture curiosity. Together, we’ll strengthen our ability to creatively communicate science in meaningful and engaging ways.

Early bird pricing ends Friday 7/31!

Learn more at:
polarsteam.info/polar-steam-summit/ or
via the Linktree in our bio.

07/16/2026

We are excited to announce our Polar STEAM Antarctic Fellows for the 2026/2027 field season! We are thrilled to have four Artists collaborating with five researchers.

Visit our website to view full profiles of our Fellows and learn more about the science they will engage in.

Learn more about the Polar STEAM program by visiting the linktree in our bio!

07/14/2026

What happens to the coastline when seas rise? Join researcher Julia Guimond from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and educator Lauren Kurzius live from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska where they're exploring how rising seas, storms, and changing Arctic conditions are reshaping the Beaufort Sea coastline.

Julia and Lauren will talk about collecting groundwater samples, mapping the landscape using high-precision GPS technology, and measuring greenhouse gases moving between the tundra and the atmosphere.

Tune in July 22 at 11 am PST to hear about how scientists connect all of these pieces to understand changes in the Arctic!

07/08/2026

One week left to submit your Educator applications! Application closes July 15 at noon Pacific Time.

Don't miss your opportunity to collaborate with a polar researcher to bring engaging science to your learners. Apply for our virtual and field based collaborations today!

To submit your application go to polarsteam.info/application/. Application can also be accessed via the linktree in our bio.

06/29/2026

What is it really like to live and work in one of the most remote and rapidly changing places on Earth?

In two new blog posts Heather Vingsness talks about her experience participating in research with limnologist Amanda Gavin studying Greenlandic lakes. Heather also talks about the breathtaking experience of the surroundings in Greenland and the day to day realities of the team.

To learn more read her posts "A Day in the Life of a Limnologist in Greenland" and "View from the Porch in Greenland" by visiting the link in our bio!

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Corvallis, OR
97331

Website

http://www.polarsteam.info/

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