EXPEDITION TO THE ARCTIC: UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
STUDY CLIMATE CHANGE AND EXPOSURE TO TOXIC CHEMICALS Michigan State University Summer 2008 Michigan State University is offering a new opportunity for students to study in the high Arctic. The program dates for the first expedition are from June 30, 2008 through July 21, 2008. This program is being initiated during the International Polar Year (IPY), a massive initiative involving thousands of scientists from over 60 nations in coordinated interdisciplinary scientific research and observations in the Earth's polar regions. The IPY goals are 1) to explore new scientific frontiers, 2) deepen our understanding of polar processes and their global linkages, 3) increase our ability to detect changes, 4) to more fully involve Arctic residents with research activities, 5) to attract and develop the next generation of polar scientists, engineers and logistics experts, and 6) to capture the interest of school children, the public and decision makers. This is an unprecedented opportunity for students to follow and get involved with cutting edge science in real-time. This new Study Abroad Program will focus mainly upon the mechanisms behind climate change, the recent changes due to warming and anticipated future changes, Arctic ecology, and problems associated with toxic chemical deposition in the Arctic region. Undergraduate and graduate students from a wide variety of disciplines will travel aboard a Russian icebreaker around the island archipelago of Svalbard at approximately 80o North. Svalbard is under the jurisdiction of Norway. A successful Arctic Study Abroad experience during the IPY will serve as a platform for ongoing study opportunities in both the Arctic and Antarctic. The Antarctic study abroad program is now in its 4th year at Michigan State. This new Arctic program has the following components and goals: * Give students a strong background into what is currently known about climate change and contaminant impacts. Through readings, lectures, and interactions with scientists, students will learn the latest scientific findings about the mechanisms contributing to climate change and toxic chemical accumulation in food chains and related impacts upon the Arctic ecology and economy. Special emphasis will be put on how changes in the polar regions may have global consequences. * Allow first hand observations of climate change and chemical impacts. Students will travel to an area of the Arctic that is being heavily impacted by climate change and toxic chemical exposures of animals and human populations. . Help students learn first hand how and why new research is being conducted. Students will interact with scientists involved in polar research and learn about the goals, objectives, methods, early findings and how this new information will contribute to better understanding of the our polar and world ecosystems. . Prepare students to become future polar researchers or advocates for change. The program aims to inspire students to focus their career and/or citizenship goals into filling gaps in scientific knowledge as researchers or becoming strong advocates for changes in public policy and personal behavior toward sustainability. The focus will be on long term interconnections between society and ecosystems. . Provide a life changing experience. Changes in student knowledge, attitudes, and behavior will be evaluated by pre-and post-program questionnaires, written exams, oral and poster presentations, and final written reports. This program will build capacity of our student participants to become agents of change, either through inspiration to conduct needed scientific research, or forcing public and corporate policy change as informed citizen advocates or government and corporate leaders. It will give students the tools to communicate more effectively with leaders in government, industry, educational institutions, and in their communities. Through engagement as researchers, leaders, teachers, and the general public, these study participants will create a broader public awareness of actions individuals can take to make a difference. Climate change and contaminants are having a dramatic impact north of the Arctic Circle, a region of earth where more than 4 million people reside. Students will examine the impacts on the traditions and livelihood of Arctic populations and compare them with observed and anticipated changes worldwide. Participants will be expected to think holistically and long term about global problems. We expect this program will have a positive and lasting impact on changes in knowledge, public understanding, and individual actions. Study Abroad has been a key building block in Michigan State University's long-standing commitment to international education. MSU is currently the leading public university in study abroad participation from any single campus in the United States. By participating in Michigan State's top-rated program, students can help prepare themselves for our global society. We believe we are the first public university to offer study programs in both of Earth's polar regions. People interested can obtain more detailed information and view photographs from a site visit to the area at the MSU Office of Study Abroad website, http://.msu.edu/programs/norwayarctic.html <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/programs/norwayarctic.html> or they can contact the course instructor, John Hesse, directly at the contact information listed below. A maximum of 20 students will be accepted. The application deadline is March 1, 2008. John L. Hesse, M.S. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University 13 Natural Resources East Lansing, MI 48824 <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] (517) 626-6194
