Project Title

Polar STEAM Artists, Writers, and Educators

Summary

Event Number:
W-491-N
NSF / OPP Award 2221990

Program Director:
Ms. Jessie Crain

ASC POC/Implementer:
Allison Barden / Jamee Johnson

Principal Investigator(s)

Julie Marie Risien
julie.risien@oregonstate.edu
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

Project Web Site:
https://polarsteam.info/

Location

Supporting Stations: Research Vessel
Research Locations: West Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea

Description

Polar STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, is an NSF-funded project that integrates and enhances two long-standing U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) programs: the Polar Educators program and the Antarctic Artists and Writers program and facilitates virtual and deployment collaborations with scientists conducting research in the polar regions. Joining the programs creates new opportunities to connect the perspectives and work of creatives, educators, and researchers in some of the most interesting and critical ecosystems on the planet. Expanding participation in the program to include faculty from community colleges and virtual educator participants will allow both programs to reach new audiences and better engage the next generation of researchers and science learners.

Field Season Overview

All selected Polar STEAM participants will board a vessel in Punta Arenas, Chile and sail along the Antarctic Peninsula region, joining approved research cruises and assisting with scientific sampling plans detailed in the associated researcher’s project.

LTER Cruise, PI: Steinberg: The selected Artist will immerse himself in the Antarctic environment, enabling him to return and translate the beauty into captivating, large-scale art installations. Shipboard activities include using professional SLR and video cameras, as reference for construction of large-scale installations post deployment. Additionally, the artist will engage in sketching, watercolor, and other artistic pursuits. The selected Educator will be embedded into the research team and will use the fieldwork experience and gained scientific understandings to develop a new educational resource. If time and resources permit, the educator and artist may participate in a "live from the field" livestream via zoom.

Cruise O-409, PI: Mars-Brisbin: The selected Artist will produce an immersive sound experiment featuring audio and video from the Antarctic mingled with live French horn and electronics. It will allow audience members to experience the sounds and sights of Antarctica - from footsteps crunching on the ice, ocean sounds on the shore, wildlife, and French horn recorded in the environment.

Cruise B-018, PI: Murray: The selected Artist will use sound and video as creative tools to interpret scientific data related to sea level rise and transform it into a resonant short film for a general public to experience. Embedded into the research team, the artist will use sensor data and collected audio and visual documentation. Shipboard operations include deploying a wired hydrophone and GoPro Camera when the vessel is close to sea ice, and microphones to capture natural environmental sounds and human activity as permitted.

Deploying Team Members