Polar-Palooza November 6, 2008

Polar experts discuss latest scientific developments November 6 at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History 'Polar-Palooza' multimedia event
Explorers, scientists return from Arctic, Antarctic with latest, most authoritative information about climate change
FORT WORTH -- The North and South Poles are thousands of miles away, but North Texans can see and hear about the latest scientific Polar developments -- and what they mean for humans everywhere -- when the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History presents a group of Polar experts in "POLAR-PALOOZA -- Stories from a Changing Planet" on November 6 in the Museum's Omni Theater.
One of just 20 national stops, the Fort Worth POLAR-PALOOZA will feature multimedia presentations from the people who know the Poles best. These Polar authorities will discuss the crucial role that the Poles play in the Earth's ecosystem, explaining how human activity in the densely-populated mid-latitudes affects the Poles. They'll also talk about how changes in the Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets impact weather and climate everywhere on Earth, as the Poles continue to change rapidly. At the same time, the experts will examine how the Poles can help humans make wise decisions about building a sustainable future for our species and our civilization.
The group of ice researchers, geologists, oceanographers, climate scientists, biologists and Arctic residents will share high-definition video clips, and authentic polar artifacts -- such as a section of Antarctic ice core more than 3,000 years old -- along with personal anecdotes and engaging stories from some of America's leading researchers. Together with facts about the amazing adaptations made by penguins, polar bears, seals and fish to freezing temperatures, audiences will hear tales of human daring and cultural innovation which have allowed Alaskan Natives to survive for centuries, and permit today's Antarctic researchers to live and work at the South Pole and America's two other bases.
POLAR-PALOOZA will start at 7 p.m. in the Museum's Omni Theater, 1501 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth. Presentations will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Space is limited so reserve your tickets to this one-night only event. Admission to POLAR-PALOOZA is free for Museum members or $5 for non-members. Tickets are available in person at the Omni Theater Ticket Office and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame concierge desk and online at www.fortworthmuseum.org. Call (817) 255-9300 for more information.
In addition to the live presentation, the POLAR-PALOOZA project includes online videos, with a library of lively podcasts accessible from the project website, as well as NSF's and NASA's special site at http://polar-palooza.com. Extensive online resources include video and podcasts, blogs, animations from NASA, and amazing sounds and images of sea, ice, land, animals and people. Teachers can find simple-to-implement hands-on activities for use in school, home or science center.
POLAR-PALOOZA Presenters
Mary Albert
Snow and ice researcher at the US Army's Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab, Hanover NH, and a professor of engineering at Dartmouth College. Mary works in both the Arctic and Antarctic, and was lead U.S. scientist on the Norwegian-U.S. Scientific Traverse of East Antarctica, the longest single-season scientific traverse ever. (For the 4-part podcast mini-series on this amazing adventure, see: http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/pp06nordic03.php and http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/pp06nordic05.php ) Mary also headed up US planning for the current 4th International Polar Year for the National Academy of Sciences from 2003-2005. (The IPY has more than 50,000 researchers from more than 60 nations exploring both Poles from 2007 through 2009 as part of integrated scientific campaigns.) She's also committed to education and outreach, and has hosted online webinars for the National Science Teachers' Association.
George Divoky
Just back from his 34th research season on remote Cooper Island, north of Barrow, AK, George is a bird researcher who started studying black guillemots out of simple curiosity and the love of nature. But over the years he noticed the birds -- occupying the same ecological niche up north as penguins down south -- were arriving earlier and earlier to nest and lay eggs. He realized he was seeing climate change and global warming impacting biology. ( http://polar-palooza.com/georgedivoky ) Spending most of his time alone on the island, he's also been seeing first-hand more and more polar bears each season, making his research increasingly dangerous. George will also describe polar bear behavior using remarkable close-up footage of hunting seals, nurturing cubs and swimming with belugas.
Sean Topkok
Sean Topkok is an Inupiat currently working for the Alaska Native Knowledge Network, specializing in recording and making accessible the wisdom of Elders. With relatives still residing in Shismaref, one of the coastal villages threatened by erosion caused by stronger storms and melting permafrost, he'll share stories of what it's like to live with climate change, and also show videos featuring Native Alaskans from Barrow, and Huslia, a small community in interior Alaska. (See: http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/pp06native01.php and http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/pp06native02.php
Randall (Randy) Davis
Randall (Randy) Davis, a marine biologist from TAMU Galveston should be literally just a few days back from his most recent research trip to Antarctica. He's an expert on seal behavior and has pioneered the placement on their backs of lightweight video cameras which can record hunting behavior deep underwater. He'll also present scenes of mother and pup interactions on the sea ice close to McMurdo Station, Antarctica: with seal milk 50 percent fat, pups born at 25 pounds put on another 125 pounds in just 6 weeks! (See http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/pp06antarc03.php )
Henrietta (Hedy) Edmonds
Henrietta (Hedy) Edmonds is a marine geochemist at the University of Texas at Austin, Port Aransas Marine Science Institute. Her two main research interests -- mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems and the use of natural radioactivity to study oceanographic processes -- have taken her to the Arctic several times, beginning in 1997 with a research trip aboard the Canadian icebreaker Louis S. St. Laurent. She has participated in two major expeditions to the Gakkel Ridge, Earth's slowest spreading mid-ocean ridge that stretches from north of Greenland to the Laptev Sea. "Once I saw the Arctic," she says, "I wanted to go back again and again." In addition to showing scenes of her scientific adventures, she'll be presenting some of the latest NASA animations of Arctic sea ice in 2008, and explaining how the Arctic Ocean is changing rapidly.
About the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Dedicated to life-long learning and anchored by its rich collections, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History engages its diverse community through creative, vibrant programs and exhibits interpreting science and the history of Texas and the Southwest. Since the mid-1980s, the Museum has annually welcomed nearly a million visitors, making it one of the most popular cultural attractions in North Texas.
The Museum is currently in the process of building a new facility in the heart of Fort Worth's Cultural District. The world-class facility, designed by internationally renowned architects, Legorreta+Legorreta, will open in the Fall of 2009 and feature a collection of new exhibits and programs developed by the Museum's staff and a team of nationally recognized designers.
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For more information, or high-resolution images, contact:
Steve Anderson (817) 255-9411 / [email protected]

Official Website: http://www.fwmsh.org