polarsciweekend_2009
Journey To The Ends Of The Earth
Without Leaving Seattle

Coming up February 26-March 1, 2009, Pacific Science Center and the →Polar Science Center at the University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory are teaming up once again to bring you a weekend of exciting, highly-interactive science that's too cool to miss! Guests of all ages will learn about the mysterious environments that only exist at the remote edges of our planet through hands-on activities, engaging demonstrations, lectures, exhibits and more.

  • Discover the many diverse careers in the world of polar science while meeting some of the researchers who make this their life's work.
  • Learn about the newest technology that's aiding research and what it's teaching us about the complex environments of the Arctic and Antarctic.
  • Step inside a real research hut and check out the gear worn by polar researchers.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg!

Polar Science Weekend
Some of the activities will include:
  • A Sea-Ice Research Station
  • Examining a real core of ice from the Greenland ice sheet
  • Penguin Crafts
  • Build Your Own Igloo
  • Polar Art Exhibits
Demonstrations and Lectures will include:
  • Ice Under Fire.
  • The Sky Tonight with Feature Focus on the Poles.
  • Extreme Cold with Dr. Mike Steele.
  • Polar Bears and Beluga Whales of the Arctic with Derek Woodie.
  • Renowned local wildlife photographer Steven Kazlowski will show his amazing slides of polar bears acquired over the course of eight years in the Arctic.
And showing in our Eames IMAX Theater -- Survival Island.

Expeditionary Art
Also at this year's event, we again present Maria Coryell-Martin. This artist travels the globe recording the work of polar scientists. But she doesn't use a camera. Instead, she uses a sketchbook. View some of her exquisite drawings and paintings. Hear her describe her travels and experiences. Maria offers a unique perspective on polar science that is captured in fascinating detail. Want to know more about Expeditionary Art? Click the image below to hear from the artist herself. Learn more about Maria's work at →expeditionaryart.com.



So why should we care?

Thousands of miles away, something is happening to the environment that will have a real and calculable impact on each one of us for generations to come. The Arctic ice pack has been shrinking. The delicate balance of Arctic ecosystems has shifted.

What happens at the poles affects our entire global community; we are all part of an interconnected puzzle. This interconnectivity forms the basis for a global effort to focus attention on this growing problem. With increased awareness and visibility, the hope is that a new generation of scientists will be inspired, the public will become engaged and invested in the research, and classrooms around the world will get involved.
Entry to Polar Science Weekend is included with the price of general admission. It's free for Pacific Science Center members.

Photo credits: UW Polar Science Center and NOAA.