2011 News

Students On Ice present Antarctica's Ecosystems: Evolution and Adaptation through Deep Time

Published: April 14, 2011
Published by: Dan Smythe, Ottawastart.com

Summary: Get a unique perspective on Antarctica during a public presentation April 14 at the Canadian Museum of Nature. This free event features seven Carleton University students who travelled to Antarctica in February 2011 for an open-air classroom adventure.

Public presentation: Antarctica's Ecosystems–Evolution and Adaptation through Deep Time

Get a unique perspective on Earth's southernmost continent during a public presentation April 14 at the Canadian Museum of Nature. This free event starting at 7 p.m. will feature insights from seven Carleton University students who travelled to Antarctica in February 2011 for an open-air classroom adventure.

Together with their instructors, Claudia Schröder-Adams, professor of earth sciences at Carleton, and Natalia Rybczynski, adjunct professor and research scientist at the Canadian Museum of Nature, the students were part of an international learning expedition led by the renowned Students on Ice organization. For two weeks, they studied Antarctica's geological and fossil records and helped in a number of scientific experiments—and earned course credits at the same time.

Now they've returned, equipped with exciting discoveries and illuminating insights into the ecological history of Earth's coldest continent.

The three graduate and four undergraduate students will each present a 10-minute overview on themes that will encompass biology, geology, ocean science and climate change. The topics were part of a credit course that focussed on the evolution of Antarctica's ecosystems over time.

Among the highlights were journeys to the fossil-rich Seymour Island and the volcanic terrain of Deception Island, as well as the crossing of the Drake Passage that is part of the Antarctic Ocean. Vivid photos and video will complement the presentations. Read blogs from the journey at http://www.carleton.ca/DUC/external/studentsonice/

The Museum is located at 240 McLeod Street (at Metcalfe). Light refreshments will be provided. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Seating in the 160-seat theatre is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early to guarantee a seat.

This presentation is part of Earth Month activities at the Canadian Museum of Nature. For a complete list of events, visit nature.ca.

Original source taken from: OttawaStart.com