Fuchs Foundation Antarctic Expedition 2007 - FFAE2007
FFAE2007 Team Members
Philip Avery was KS3 coordinator for geography at Oxted School, Oxted.
Project: Temperature Torture
To cope with extreme cold should you be fat or fit? Lunching on lard or Weetabix? Clothed in cotton or Gore Tex?
To cope with extreme cold should you be fat or fit? Lunching on lard or Weetabix? Clothed in cotton or Gore Tex?
Phil will be trying to understand how humans survive temperatures as low as -90C (plus wind chill of course!). The team will be lending their bodies to the study and while surviving in Antarctica will have their faces and hands regularly plunged into iced water to see if it really does cause the heart rate to slow. The ice will not be the only thing that is blue!
In collaboration with the Human & Applied Physiology Laboratories, University of Portsmouth
Ruth Hollinger was a geography teacher at Tapton School, Sheffield and will do two projects
Project 1: Take only photographs, leave only footprints, and tread lightly on the earth.
An ecological footprint is the measure of consumption of resources. It is calculated in terms of the total area of land required per person to meet their food, energy, raw material, water and wastewater disposal needs. The larger the footprint, the larger the impact. What impact will the Fuchs Foundation Teachers Expedition make?
An ecological footprint is the measure of consumption of resources. It is calculated in terms of the total area of land required per person to meet their food, energy, raw material, water and wastewater disposal needs. The larger the footprint, the larger the impact. What impact will the Fuchs Foundation Teachers Expedition make?
Project 2: Funky Fieldwork - A Virtual Fieldtrip to Union Glacier
In addition glaciological work will be undertaken on the Union Glacier measuring its characteristics and global warming. All results will be set up in a virtual fieldtrip.
In addition glaciological work will be undertaken on the Union Glacier measuring its characteristics and global warming. All results will be set up in a virtual fieldtrip.
Supported by the Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers)
with Ray Y Gildea Jr Award.
Amy Rogers was a science teacher at Higham Lane School, Nuneaton
Project: Naked in Antarctica (and loving it)
Lichens are one of the living organisms that have adapted to survive the extreme conditions of the Antarctic continent. They are also extremely sensitive to environmental pollution and potentially can be used as bio-indicators for atmospheric changes resulting from human activity. The aim is to collect lichens and investigate their ecology in areas of Antarctica where they have not previously been studied.
Lichens are one of the living organisms that have adapted to survive the extreme conditions of the Antarctic continent. They are also extremely sensitive to environmental pollution and potentially can be used as bio-indicators for atmospheric changes resulting from human activity. The aim is to collect lichens and investigate their ecology in areas of Antarctica where they have not previously been studied.
Ian Richardson was Head of Biology, Freman College, Buntingford, Hertfordshire.
Project: There’s No Way to Degrade a Tardigrade!
Ian’s project aims to study the remarkable microfauna of the Ellsworth Mountains. The qualities needed to survive the extraordinary environmental conditions of the inner reaches of the Antarctic continent are shown by a unique collection of microscopic organisms. Among them are the strange and cuddly tardigrades (or ‘Water Bears’). These creatures can enter a remarkable state of suspended animation called cryptobiosis, in which they can endure the most punishing temperatures with apparent ease. There are at least three species unique to the Ellsworth Mountains and we know little about them. Who knows what else they might find?
Ian’s project aims to study the remarkable microfauna of the Ellsworth Mountains. The qualities needed to survive the extraordinary environmental conditions of the inner reaches of the Antarctic continent are shown by a unique collection of microscopic organisms. Among them are the strange and cuddly tardigrades (or ‘Water Bears’). These creatures can enter a remarkable state of suspended animation called cryptobiosis, in which they can endure the most punishing temperatures with apparent ease. There are at least three species unique to the Ellsworth Mountains and we know little about them. Who knows what else they might find?
In April 2006 these teachers went through a challenging selection process over three days in the Peak District during which there were individual interviews and scientific presentations, as well as physical exercises including responding to a nightime emergency. Prior to departure each teacher raised £10,000 towards the costs of FFAE2007.
During 2006 and 2007 the team underwent team building exercises and learning camp craft in hills and mountains of Britain. In August 2007 a key training visit to the Josteladsbreen Icecap in Norway took place when crevasse rescue drills were leanrt, and science projects and communication systems were tested.
FFAE2007 left the UK on 3rd November 2007 for Punta Arenas, where they awaited their flight to the Patriot Hills base of Antarctic Logistic Expeditions. From there a twin Otter flight took them to the Henderson Glacier in the Ellsworth Mountains at 80 deg South. There they spent four weeks in the field undertaking their science projects, and walked out to Patriots Hills on conclusion of these.
Page last modified: 22nd Mar 2010 - 14:29:10