News and Events
Polaris Project field course in Siberia blends learning, adventure
 The Polaris Project will give undergraduate students the opportunity to witness the changing Arctic first-hand as they participate in a field course and research experience in northeastern Siberia. After completing the "Arctic System Science" course associated with the Polaris Project (GEOG/GES 119), a select group of undergraduate students will travel with project scientists to the Siberian Arctic.
Leaving the U.S. in early July 2008, we’ll first spend a few days in Moscow, then travel to Yakutsk (capital of the Sakha Republic), and finally to the Northeast Science Station at Cherskiy (north of the Arctic Circle on the Kolyma River).
Students in the field course will be introduced to a variety of arctic environments including boreal forest, tundra, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and the coastal ocean, conduct their own mini research projects, and help project scientists plan extended field courses that will take place in 2009 and 2010. In fact, 1-2 of the student participants from 2008 will have the opportunity to return as course teaching assistants in 2009.
The interdisciplinary approach emphasized throughout the Polaris Project mirrors the way that complex environmental science is actually done. We’ll stress the links between the different environments and explore how climate change is impacting them. Students will work closely with leading scientists and share in the excitement of scientific discovery. The Polaris Project will be superb preparation for students wishing to pursue graduate studies in environmental sciences.
We expect that the Polaris Project will be an exceptional learning experience and tremendous adventure for all participants.
For more information, visit www.thepolarisproject.org.
Students: Have fun at the EcoTarium with renewable energy kits
 The EcoTarium in Worcester has received a grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) to increase public awareness of alternative energy sources. The facility has three different kits on solar panels, hydrogen fuel cells, and wind panels. These kits contain projects for 30 students to build an object. Students will receive training with the kits (about three hours) and have fun volunteering a few hours for a table activity with the visitors at the EcoTarium. If you are looking for a community service opportunity to apply what you have learned in your classes and have fun, this might be an interesting adventure for you. The time frame is open. If you are interested, please contact Sue Reidy at sreidy@ecotarium.org or (508) 929-2756.
Climate change e-resource seeks student editors for internships
A new electronic reference about the earth, its natural environments and their interaction with society — Encyclopedia of Earth — seeks interns
to help harvest public domain content, copyedit articles, and
otherwise assist authors and topic editors in producing and publishing articles. Interns will learn the basics of Mediawiki software, the collaborative content platform that underlies Wikipedia,
and work with researchers, educators, professionals, and other experts on climate change and
related topics.
The time commitment is flexible and you can work at home, or
wherever you can grab an Internet connection.
The encyclopedia is a free, fully searchable collection of articles written
by scholars, professionals, educators, and experts who collaborate and review each other’s work.
The articles are written in non-technical language and will be useful to students, educators, scholars,
professionals, as well as to the general public. The goal of this project is to build the Web's largest and most authoritative resource on climate
change.
You can see the current group of "e-scribe" interns here.
Here's your chance to make a difference and gain unique professional experience. Interested?
Contact Maggie Surface at eoe@eoearth.org.
Prof. Jennie Stephens wins NSF grant
Jennie Stephens, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant from the Science and Society program to support  collaborative research on Diffusion of Emerging Energy Technologies within a State Context, a collaboration among Clark University, the University of Minnesota and Texas A&M. The total amount of this collaborative award is $390,000 over three years – Clark University will receive $133,294.
This project examines the interconnected, state-level, socio-political influences on deployment of emerging energy technologies with potential to contribute to an energy system transformation for climate change mitigation. This applied research focuses on two very different emerging energy technologies – wind power and carbon capture and storage (CCS); both have great potential to change the energy technology landscape and to dramatically reduce CO2 emissions.
The research will compare the many non-technical factors influencing energy technology decision-making in geographically and politically diverse states, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Texas.
The project aims to identify and evaluate relationships between the socio-political dimensions of state energy technology systems and stakeholder perceptions of risks and benefits of the technologies and of the risks of climate change. This project strategically integrates several traditionally separate areas of research: technology diffusion and deployment; analysis of energy and environmental policy; comparative analysis of states and identification of state difference; and public perceptions of risks (and benefits).
This interdisciplinary and applied research will provide insights that may accelerate the transition of our energy technology infrastructure. In addition to increasing understanding of state-level influence on technology diffusion, results of this research will enable energy professionals, state planners, policy analysts, non-profits, and businesses to develop more effective strategies for involving the public in energy policy formation and implementation related to deployment of wind energy and CCS technologies, as well as other emerging energy technologies.
This project will provide opportunities for Clark undergraduate and graduate students to research current and future energy systems.
An Inconvenient Truth: DVD available for classroom use
 The ES department now owns a copy of director Davis Guggenheim's Oscar-winning documentary on Al Gore's campaign to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide. A longtime advocate for the environment, Gore presents a wide array of facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way. A surprise hit at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, An Inconvenient Truth is not a story of despair but rather a rallying cry to protect the one earth we all share. To borrow the DVD, please contact Julie Schaefer at juschaefer@clarku.edu or ext. 7517.
|
