Transcript /news/events/2004-2005/aarondoering.ppt

Aaron Doering
Ruby, Beacon and Terex, three of the 31 Polar Huskies on the trip, proved to be hearty
traveling companions.
Aaron Doering
Wanted: Adventurer/explorer to withstand subzero night temperatures, while rooming in
a 5’x8’ tent with colleague. Compatibility and congeniality important. Must be able to
deliver adventure learning project to classrooms around the world. No extra charge
for beautiful full moons.
Aaron Doering
On the second day of the trip, the unthinkable happens to one of the sleds: it starts to
sink into Great Slave Lake. While memorably scary, this was not the most
dangerous day of the adventure.
Aaron Doering
This far north of Mankato, the winter holds about four hours of daylight. On this
particular day, the sun never got any higher or stronger.
Aaron Doering
Time Line: December 2003–June 2004
Online Classroom Coverage: January 11–May 7, 2004
Approx. Mileage: 3000 miles
Team 31 Polar Huskies and an International team of six educators and explorers
Conditions -50 F to +40 F. Daylight hours from 6 in January to 24 in June
Terrain Tundra, Arctic Ocean, glaciers, Baffin Island mountains, Atlantic Ocean
Aaron Doering
A long way from Armstrong Hall, thinks Aaron Doering (MSU ’05, Masters in
Geography), where a walk even from the furthest parking lot did not merit 8 layers of
clothing.
Aaron Doering
Sending the daily audio update from the tent.
Aaron Doering
Dangers of the trip were plentiful, yet each decision made in planning and travel was
premised on “safety first.” Here, the rock gardens of the Arctic, nearly hidden by
blowing snow, presented hazardous obstacles for the sleds. Doering reports that the
most dangerous situation for the group was a blizzard that lasted for days and nearly
enveloped the tents.
Aaron Doering
Week 22... "The Arctic is a very special place that truly is the barometer to all of our
actions in the mid-lattitudes. Our hope is that you have learned a great deal during
Arctic Transect 2004 and that you have been inspired to make a difference on a local
scale."
-Team Arctic Transect 2004
Aaron Doering
The 6 months gave the adventure team even more time to share of themselves. “You
get to know everyone really well. You find out what they were like growing up and
how that explains who you are today. You find out each person’s perspective of
what the group is enduring,” Doering explains.
Aaron Doering
Arctic Transect 2004 included a strong cultural connection with the native Inuit, which
included the traditional Inuit mode of travel and making camp whenever possible
along the route. When the group descended on the Inuit communities, they were
met with celebrations.
Aaron Doering
Arctic Transect 2004 An Educational Exploration of Nunavut set out to document arctic
climate change and deliver an adventure learning project. By dogsledding across the
territory of Nunavut, the team met Inuit Elders and students, documented traditional
ecological knowledge in the remote communities visited along the trail and gathered
scientific data daily from the field for NASA and Environment Canada. .
Aaron Doering
Aaron Doering
Aaron Doering, a native of Good Thunder, Minnesota, is currently a professor at the
University of Minnesota, where he teaches courses related to how technology can be
used to help classroom learning. He is proud that his connections with MSU, as well
as his training, were put to good use for the trip.
Aaron Doering
Aaron Doering
In planning for Arctic Transect 2004, Doering was confident that “adventure learning”
would bring a fresh model to classroom learning. In an interview with MSU’s Alumni
Magazine, he predicted, “The expedition and dogs will attract students into our
project, eventually leading them to an authentic education. I don’t think they’ll be
asking many questions about why they’re studying this.” A 300 page curriculum was
available free to teachers worldwide.
Aaron Doering
Aaron Doering
Ruby, Beacon and Terex, three of the 31 Polar Huskies on the trip, proved to be hearty
traveling companions.
Aaron Doering
From the basement of Armstrong Hall, WALTER, the Weather Analysis Laboratory for
Teaching and Educational Resources http://www.mnsu.edu/weather/the_lab.html)
provided timely and valuable information to the team about current and emerging
conditions. Doering maintains this was critical to their navigation decisions and the
team’s ultimate success.
Aaron Doering
Aaron Doering
Doering is a consultant to the National Geographic Society and professor at the
University of Minnesota. Before that, he taught middle and high school social studies
in Rochester, Minnesota, and was able to take his students to more than 17 countries
to study physical and cultural geography.
Aaron Doering
A warm greeting from students in Pelly Bay, Nunavut.
Aaron Doering
Aaron Doering