Organized by the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS), Arctic Portal, Woods Hole Research Center, Arctic 21, the PoLAR Partnership, and the EDU-ARCTIC consortium, the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, the Arctic Science Ministerial Side-Event will take place in Washington, th D.C. on the morning of September 27 at the ARCUS Washington DC office.
On the forum, experts will discuss how Arctic research can be used to empower Northerners who are living on the front lines of climate change, as well as ways to encourage young people to pursue careers in the ever increasingly important fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Following an opening keynote from Mark Brzezinski, Executive Director of the U.S. Government's Arctic Executive Steering Committee, the event will feature two panel discussions with experts on education, scientific research and leaders from Arctic communities. The first one will focus on the Arctic science as a vehicle to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics among young people. The second panel discussion will focus on empowering Arctic communities through research and education.
Session 1: Panel Presentations, 9-11:30am
Doors will open at 8:30am and the morning session program will take place from 9:00am to 11:30am. The morning session will feature two panel discussions by Arctic educators, researchers, and community leaders.
9:00am: Opening Session
Robert H. Rich (Executive Director, Arctic Research Consortium of the United States): Welcome and introduction from the organizers and a few words about ARCUS
Mark Brzezinski (Executive Director of the US Arctic Executive Steering Committee): Welcome address from the US Arctic Executive Steering Committee
Rafe Pomerance (Chair of Arctic 21): A few words about Arctic 21
9:20am: Panel discussion focused on the use of Arctic research as a vehicle for education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
Max Holmes, a senior scientist at the Woods Hole Research Center, will moderate the first panel discussion. The panel will feature:
Nivi Olsen (Greenlandic Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Church): Educational priorities for Northern residents
John Wood (PolarTREC teacher from Talbert Middle School, Huntington Beach, California ): Bringing the Arctic to classrooms elsewhere in the world
Halldór Jóhansson (Arctic Portal Director): The EDU-ARCTIC program
Fran Ulmer (Chair, US Arctic Research Commission): Summary and next steps
Panel discussion with audience participation
10:10am: Break
10:25am: Joseph Cheek (Senior Communications Manager, Arctic Portal): A few words about Arctic Portal
10:30am: Panel discussion focusing on empowering Arctic communities through research an education
The second panel will be moderated by veteran reporter on Arctic climate change issues Suzanne Goldenberg. The panel will feature:
Igor Krupnik (Curator, Arctic Studies Center, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History): What can we learn from Northerners about the impacts of Arctic environmental changes?
Okalik Eegeesiak (Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council): How do Northerners define empowerment?
Gunn-Britt Retter (Head of Arctic and Environment Unit, Saami Council): How scientific research can empower Arctic indigenous communities
Tara Sweeney (Chair, Arctic Economic Council): What kind of future do Northerners envision for the Arctic?
Panel discussion with audience participation
11:30am: End of panel discussions
The public is invited to attend the morning panel presentations via online streaming. Registration is required.
Session 2: Hands-On Activities and Resources, 1-4pm
Following the panel discussions, afternoon visitors are invited to spend time investigating the event's informational displays and learning about hands-on Arctic STEM activities and resources. Attendees will have the chance to explore tools ranging from mobile apps to scenario explorations to card and board games that help formal and informal educators, school administrators, lifelong learners, and families bring the Arctic into their homes and classrooms. Some of the activities and resources that will be featured include:
Polar Explorer: Sea Level: a mobile app for diving into the causes and consequences of past, present, and future sea level changes.
The PufferSphere: a 360 degree multi-touch interactive system that highlights some of NASA's Earth science data.
Arctic SMARTIC: a role-playing exercise about the opportunities and challenges of managing resources in times of change.
Online interactives from WWF that explore the implications of oil and gas development in the Arctic
Test out your ocean science knowledge to see if you have what it takes to win the National Ocean Sciences Bowl
A series of Arctic jigsaw puzzles that piece together changes in Arctic sea ice, ice sheets, and glaciers
Extreme Cold Weather Gear: experience what it's like to work as a scientist in the harsh Arctic environment
Plus, an opportunity to participate in an Arctic-themed mini-game jam and create your own Arctic STEM resource
Visitors may join the afternoon session of the event at any time between 1pm and 4pm. You do not have to be a registered for the morning session to be a participate in the event's afternoon activities.
Registration is required to attend the event's afternoon session.
The entire event will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person.