The Smithsonian Institution announces the release of the Proceedings of the 2007 International Polar Diving Workshop. With major support from the National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, NERC Facility for Scientific Diving, and Diving Unlimited International an interdisciplinary, international polar scientific diving workshop took place at the Artctic Marine Laboratory in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, March 15-21, 2007. Twenty-eight participants from around the world discussed scientific, physiological and operational considerations of working under ice using scuba in polar environments. Sixteen papers, edited discussion sessions and consensus recommendations are presented in this volume, an IPY contribution from the international polar scientific diving community....

Antarctic Ecological Genomics PhD Opportunities 1) Ecological genomics of the invertebrate response to ocean acidification 2) Ecological genomics of the vertebrate/invertebrate response to shifts in food supply We invite applications from highly-motivated molecular biology and/or biochemistry postgraduate candidates to contribute to a project investigating stress effects on the Antarctic marine ecosystem utilizing genomics-based approaches. Two PhD projects are on offer, each contributing to an objective of this FRST-funded International Polar Year Project. The Antarctic marine ecosystem is under threat as a result of global climate change combined with other anthropogenic influences (e.g. fishing, tourism). We need to understand ecosystem...

By Sarah Wilson, Ocean Institute The Ocean Institute (OI) is celebrating its 30th year in providing excellent science and maritime programs to teachers and the community. To honor teachers, launch our new Teacher Club, and celebrate International Polar Year, OI held an Ice Gala on October 5th and welcomed over 500 teachers! The evening included hands-on stations examining the science of the Poles, viewing of southern Ocean invertebrate specimens, ice sculptures to chill the flowing champagne and the opportunity to experience the Antarctic and take a photo with Shackleton’s crew. Teachers won prizes ranging from flat screen TVs, Geek Squad assistance for a year, Wyland artwork, and a week vacation in Washington D.C. ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ANTARCTICA: LIFE ON THE ICE explores life at the bottom of the world What is it like to live in the most desolate place on the planet? The newest collection from outdoorswoman and writer Susan Fox Rogers brings together twenty scientists, writers and workers who tell their dramatic, funny, often moving tales of daily life amidst the ice and isolation of Antarctica. Realizing her childhood dream of walking in the footsteps of Antarctic explorers, editor Rogers spent six weeks on the Ice learning the ways of the penguin researchers, ice diggers, atmospheric scientists, cooks, pilots, and others who are drawn, almost mystically, to the most foreboding climate one can imagine. “I traveled to the Antarctic bec...