Students on Ice

STUDENTS ON ICE is an award-winning organization offering unique learning expeditions to the Antarctic and the Arctic. Their mandate is to provide students from around the world with inspiring educational opportunities at the ends of our earth, and in doing so, help them foster a new understanding and respect for the planet.

Educational Philosophy
Students on Ice believe in providing students with unique educational experiences that will challenge the way in which they perceive the world. Their aim is not to simply provide students with a "trip" to a unique destination but rather to give students an opportunity to have an aesthetic experience in some of the most wild and awe-inspiring ecosystems in the world. They do not want students to just pass through a place with camera in hand, but rather to listen to the land; to 'feel' these natural places and in turn, explore how we as humans feel when immersed in such places. Ultimately, their goal is for students to experience a transformative connection with Nature - a connection that changes the way they understand and act in this world.

Educational Approach
Students on Ice approach to education weaves together elements of experiential, expeditionary, and problem-based learning. In starting with a very 'hands-on' approach, active participation and critical thinking are important elements in the SOI learning process. Through posing questions, experimenting and constructing meaning, the learning becomes personal, relational and exploratory in nature. Their expeditions become symbolic learning journeys from the initial development of ideas, to addressing problems and possible solutions, to final reflections. They recognize that the journey will be unique for each student, as will the manner in which each student effects positive change in his/her individual lives following the expedition.

Educational Theme: Environmental Leadership
Woven into all Students on Ice expeditions is the overarching theme: Environmental Leadership. The world is a global ecosystem in which all natural and human systems are interconnected. Humans are part of nature and bound by the laws of the natural world. However, in today's mechanistic, consumer-oriented world our lifestyles have led to a disconnection with nature. We are often unaware or apathetic to where our most basic needs come from - food, clothing, shelter. Our over consumptive practices have led to resource depletion, atmospheric pollution, diminishing biodiversity, and most commonly discussed in the media, climate change. As a global society, we need to move towards living more sustainably. Today's youth have the opportunity to lead the way.

From an environment perspective, they focus their expeditions' lectures, discussions, and activities on current environmental issues facing the regions they are traveling through. Climate change is a particular focus on all their expeditions.

From a leadership perspective, they will explore how youth are effective agents of change and how their efforts contribute to positive societal action. Youth have an opportunity to establish sustainable livelihoods and make informed ecological-based choices early in their lives. The choices they make have a ripple effect and the action youth takes does make a difference. In developing the leadership component of their expedition's theme they facilitate ongoing group discussions on ways to get involved in youth-based environmental initiatives upon returning home.

Their theme of "Environmental Leadership" weaves itself through their education program in conjunction with their ongoing exploration of the history, culture, general science, and politics of our place of travel.

Source: Students on Ice  

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A 15-year old local Scottsdale, Arizona girl, Alexandra Polasko, spent 2-1/2 weeks this past August on a Students on Ice expedition to the Arctic Circle. Now back at school she and two other students from the expedition are planning to hold a national conference, The American Green Youth Summit, in summer 2010 in Boulder, Colorado, bringing together two students from each state to learn about protecting the environment.

"The summit will be about students reaching out to other students," Polasko said.

Before the expedition, Polasko said she had a passion for the environment but did not feel connected to it. But after seeing polar bears and sea lions losing their homes and not knowing why, she said she saw how humans affect the environment.

"We are not simply passengers on the planet," Polasko said.

Her most dramtic experience came on the trip's fifth day when students in Zodiac boats in a fjord came upon a shelf of ice. They watched as a giant shelf crashed into the water.

"I felt as if the Earth...as if its arm was breaking off or its finger was breaking off...I could see the reduction in the ice; I could see the animals suffering; I could see the impact that was happening firsthand," Polasko said.

Source: Arizona Republic

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I'm so impressed that high school kids today actually want to go on educational expeditions like this to the Arctic Circle and Antarctic, instead of wanting to go to a more "FUN" vacation destination, or just wanting to lay around all summer. Growing up in Chicago my junior class trip was to California. All we cared about was getting a nice tan. Thank goodness these kids are WAKING UP.