Stoney Creek High School Teacher Does Polar Research in Antarctica

Stoney Creek High School Teacher Starts the New Year by doing Polar Research in Antarctica

Eric Thuma, a physics teacher at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills, always wanted to assist in world class scientific research and he lived his lifelong dream by joining Jim Madsen from the University of Wisconsin (River Falls) in Antarctica for three weeks doing equipment upgrades on the COSRAY Neutron Detectors at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The neutron monitors are designed to study cosmic radiation and solar activity.

McMurdo Station in Antarctica

Eric was deployed to McMurdo Station in Antarctica from December 30, 2016 to January 24, 2017. While in Antarctica, Eric assisted with the repair of the COSRAY Neutron Detectors. He also aided in the transfer of the detectors from McMurdo Station to a Jang Bogo Station, which is a South Korean facility. His students were able to participate in his research experience through online communication and a number of live webcasts.

Students were able to participate in his research experience through online communication

Eric is one many teachers selected through a nationwide search to participate in PolarTREC, an educational research experience in which K-12 teachers participate in polar research, working closely with scientists as a pathway to improving science education. Through PolarTREC, teachers have the rare opportunity to spend two to six weeks working with a research team in the Arctic or Antarctic. While on field expeditions, teachers and researchers share their experiences with scientists, educators, communities, and students of all ages through the use of Internet tools such as online teacher and researcher journals, message boards, photo albums, podcasts, PolarConnect real-time presentations from the field, and online learning resources. After the field experience, teachers and researchers will continue to share their experiences with the public and create instructional activities to transfer scientific data, methodologies, and technology to classrooms.

Stoney Creek High School Eric Thuma stands on an Ice Sheet in Antarctica

PolarTREC is managed by the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS) and funded by the National Science Foundation and additional partnerships. For more information and to participate, see the PolarTREC website at www.polartrec.com, or contact the ARCUS Project Managers, Janet Warburton and Sarah Bartholow at info@polartrec.com or call 907-474-1600.