Polar Academy | Coastal and Marine Laboratory

Antarctic Ecosystem Workshop and Polar Academy (AntICE)

The calving of A68, a 5,800 km², 1 trillion-ton iceberg, from the Larsen C ice shelf at the Antarctic Peninsula last July presented a unique and timely opportunity for research and education on Polar ecosystems in a changing climate. Funded through NSF, the FSUCML hosted an NSF-funded, 2-day Workshop on Antarctic Ecosystem Research Following Ice Shelf Collapse and Iceberg Calving Events (NSF-OPP 1750903), organized by Dr. Jeroen Ingels (FSUCML) and Prof. Craig Smith (University of Hawaii at Manoa) and Prof. Rich Aronson (Florida Institute of Technology). The scientific workshop brought together nearly 40 researchers with expertise in Antarctic biological, ecological, and ecosystem sciences to share knowledge, identify important research priorities and knowledge gaps, and outline strategic plans for Antarctic research. The workshop helped advancing scientific and public understanding of the continent-wide changes that Antarctic ice shelves and surrounding ecosystems will experience in response to warming, and will benefit Antarctic research, education, and outreach.

Ingels, Aronson & Smith (organizers of the workshop) published a commentary article in Nature Climate Change's October 2018 edition, you can find it here

Participated in the workshop:

Jeroen Ingels, Florida State University, Coastal and Marine Laboratory, St. Teresa, Florida, USA

Richard B. Aronson, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA

Craig R. Smith, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii, USA

Amy Baco-Taylor, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA

Holly Bik, University of California, Riverside, California, USA

James Blake, Aquatic Research and Consulting, USA

Angelika Brandt, Senckenberg Research Institute, Germany

Mattias Cape, School of Oceanography, University of Washington, USA

David Demaster, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, USA

Emily Dolan, Florida State University, Coastal and Marine Laboratory, St. Teresa, Florida, USA

Spencer Fire, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA

Heidi Geisz, Florida State University, Coastal and Marine Laboratory, St. Teresa, Florida, USA

Huw Griffiths, British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK

Kenneth Halanych, Auburn University, Alabama, USA

Charlotte Havermans, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany & Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany

Falk Huettman, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA

Scott Ishman, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA

Sven Kranz, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA

Amy Leventer, Colgate University, New York

Andy Mahon, Central Michigan University, USA

James McClintock, University of Alabama, Birmingham

Michael McCormick, Hamilton College, New York, USA

Greg Mitchell, University of California, San Diego, USA

Alison Murray, Desert Research Institute Reno, Nevada

Lloyd Peck, British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK

Alex Rogers, Oxford University, UK & REV Ocean, Norway

Barbara Shoplock, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA

Katheryn Smith, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

Brittan Steffel, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA

Mike Stukel, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA

Andrew Sweetman¸ Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK

Michelle Taylor, University of Essex, UK

Andrew Thurber, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

Martin Truffer, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA

Anton Van de Putte, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Belgium

Ann Vanreusel, Ghent University, Belgium

Angelica Zamora-Duran, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA

As part of the workshop, the FSUCML Polar Academy AntICE Team (Dr. Emily Dolan, Dr. Heidi Geisz, Barbara Shoplock, Dr. Jeroen Ingels) started a new initiative: "Antarctic Influences of Climate Change on Ecosystems" (AntICE) and has been reaching out to various groups of school children in the local area. The Polar Academy AntICE Team have been interacting with enthusiastic local coastal polar ambassadors at Wakulla High School and Wakulla Elementary (Crawfordville), children from the Cornerstone Learning Community (Tallahassee), Maclay Middle School and the School of Arts and Sciences in Tallahassee, as well as the wider Tallahassee Homeschooling Community to educate them about Antarctic ecosystems and ongoing climate change. In collaboration with the NSF-funded Polar-ICE project (Polar Literacy Initiative), FSU outreach and education program, and drawing from the team's scientific efforts in the Antarctic, they are informing the future generations of the importance of Antarctic organisms and ecosystems, the uniqueness of its fauna and flora and the significance of its food webs, as well as how all these are changing and will change further with climate change. Using general presentations, case studies, scientific methodology, own experiences, interactive discussions and Q&A sessions the children were guided through the many issues Antarctic ecosystems are facing. Over 200 'Polar ambassadors' attended the interactive lectures and afterwards took their creativity to high latitudes by creating welcome letters, displays, dioramas, sculptures, videos (check out this awesome Le Assasinino vs. Global Warming video), and online media (Bill the Krill; Adélie the Penguin) to present at the scientific workshop. We were also joined by the talented photographer Ryan David Reines to document the event. An incredible day where scientists and children shared experiences and stories, and a great example of research, education and outreach going hand in hand. For more information, please contact jingels@fsu.edu.

Meet the Polar Academy AntICE Team

Dr. Emily Dolan

Marine Biologist

Coral Taxonomy, Ecology and Evolution
Deep-Sea Biology
Marine Policy

Dr. Heidi Geisz

Marine Biologist

Seabird Ecology
Environmental Chemistry
Marine Policy

Dr. Jeroen Ingels

Marine Ecologist

Shallow-Water and Deep-Sea Biodiversity, Ecology and Biogeochemistry
Environmental Impacts on Marine Ecosystems
Meiofauna and Nematode Biology and Ecology

Barbara Shoplock

Marine/Fresh-Water Ecologist

Environmental Impacts on Marine Invertebrates
Animal Behavior
Director Saturday at the Sea (FSU SATS)
Co-director Young Scholars Program (FSU YSP)
Office of Science Teaching Activities (FSU OSTA)

Image Gallery - Polar Academy AntICE at local schools and FSUCML

Polar Academy Team at Wakulla High School

Salps and krill, explaining food web changes along the Antarctic Peninsula

Polar Acadamy Team at School of Arts and Sciences in Tallahassee

Polar Acadamy Team at School of Arts and Sciences in Tallahassee; recreating a melting iceberg in the class room

Polar Acadamy Team at School of Arts and Sciences in Tallahassee

Polar Acadamy Team at School of Arts and Sciences in Tallahassee

Polar Acadamy Team at School of Arts and Sciences in Tallahassee; recreating a melting ice berg in the class room

Children from the Cornerstone Learning Community in Tallahassee learning about the Antarctic at the FSU Coastal and Marine Lab

Polar Academy at the Wakulla High School

Polar Academy at Wakulla High School

Polar Academy at Wakulla High School

Polar Academy at Wakulla High School

Polar Academy at Wakulla High School

Polar Academy at School of Arts and Sciences in Tallahassee

Polar Academy at School of Arts and Sciences in Tallahassee - student trying out the floatation suit for sea-going scientists

Polar Academy at School of Arts and Sciences in Tallahassee

Polar Academy at the FSUCML

Polar Academy at the FSUCML - iceberg scouring explained

Polar Academy at the FSUCML - where is Larsen C?

Our local Polar coastal ambassadors from the homeschooling community during the Polar Academy at the FSU Coastal and Marine Lab

Our local Polar coastal ambassadors from the homeschooling community during the Polar Academy at the FSU Coastal and Marine Lab - crafting away for the Antarctic diorama

Our local Polar coastal ambassadors from the homeschooling community during the Polar Academy at the FSU Coastal and Marine Lab - posing in front of the Antarctic diorama

Polar Academy at the FSUMCL - Antarctic treasures!

Our local Polar coastal ambassadors from the homeschooling community during the Polar Academy at the FSU Coastal and Marine Lab - drawing Antarctic cartoons

Polar Academy at the FSUCML - participants trying out the floatation suit scientists wear whilst working on deck of research ships

Polar Academy at the FSUMCL - Antarctic treasures!

Polar Academy at the FSUMCL - Antarctic diorama ready for critters

Polar Academy at the FSUMCL - Antarctic diorama

Polar Academy at the FSUMCL - Antarctic diorama with phytoplankton, krill, icebergs, research vessel, ROV, king crabs, sea urchins, drop stones and warming Antarctic circumpolar deep water!

Polar Academy at the FSUMCL - Antarctic diorama

Polar Academy at the FSUMCL - talking and learning about the Antarctic!

Polar Academy at the FSUMCL - Antarctic popup library for children

Polar Academy Team at Maclay Middle School

Maclay Middle School working hard on their Polar Academy projects in preparation for the Antarctic Ecosystem Workshop

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Image Gallery - Polar Academy AntICE Event at the FSUCML Antarctic Ecosystem Workshop

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

some of these pictures ©Ryan David Reines - Instagram: @ryandavidphoto @rainforestryan

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