General Information

Exploring Arctic Sciences

As evidence supporting global climate change grows, and more immediate impacts of Arctic “meltdown” are experienced by communities in the North, Canadian politicians and researchers are joining forces in their commitments to gain a better understanding of the potential consequences of climate change in the Arctic, for Canadians and the broader global community. Recent government funding for Canada’s own “state-of-the-art” research icebreaker – the CCGS Amundsen – and the newest Network of Canadian Centers of Excellence – ArcticNet – provide Canada’s leading Arctic scientists with both a platform and a research infrastructure for examining both environmental and social impacts of global warming on the Arctic.

ArcticNet is a network that brings together the best scientists and managers in Canada and abroad to help Canada face the challenges raised by an Arctic meltdown. By involving graduate students, northern communities, and high schools, ArcticNet provides a unique environment for the training of the next generation of scientists urgently needed to ensure the stewardship of a new Canadian Arctic.

Schools on Board is an outreach program of ArcticNet, based out of the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Canada). It was developed to bridge Arctic research with science education in high schools across Canada; to increase awareness of issues related to climate change in Canada, and to excite young Canadians about the challenges and career opportunities of Arctic research. The main thrust of the program is the Field Program "on board" the CCGS Amundsen. Schools are given the unique opportunity to send students and teachers to the Arctic, on board the CCGS Amundsen to participate in an educational experience completely integrated into the research activities of the ArcticNet science team.

  Click here to view a map of the canadian distribution of participating schools.

The program includes 3 components:

Schools on Board Network

This network continues to evolve with the program. It is the primary communication tool used to link schools to one another and schools to Canadian Arctic research programs – creating an opportunity for schools to link or expand their curriculum around active research projects and build partnerships with research institutions. Members of the network receive email notifications of upcoming field opportunities, and other Schools on Board initiatives.

Field program

A national team of high school students and accompanying teachers (S2-S4; Gr.10-12; secondaire 4/5) is created from selected schools, to participate in the research activities of the ArcticNet science team, onboard the Canadian research icebreaker (CCGS Amundsen).

Participation is very limited (only 10-12 spaces available for each field program). Spaces are only given to schools. Interested students and teachers should review the criteria and encourage their schools to apply for space. (School Selection Criteria, Student Selection Criteria, Teacher Selection Criteria)

Programming "onboard" includes presentations, group projects, lab activities, fieldwork, and lectures with graduate students and nationally/internationally recognized scientists from the university and government sector. As ArcticNet is multidisciplinary in nature, students are introduced to research objectives and methods of a number of different disciplines, including (but not limited to): oceanography, physical geography, biology, chemistry, meteorology, zoology, geology, and climatology. The educational program also introduces participants to "two ways of knowing" – the traditional and scientific approaches to understanding the complexities and interconnectedness of the Arctic environment. Each trip includes at least one northern community visit to introduce participants to northern culture and knowledge.

Arctic Climate Change Youth Forum

Every two years, Schools on Board will co-host a youth forum that will coincide with an ArcticNet or CASES science meeting or conference. The two day event will include one day of discussion sessions and workshops aimed at engaging high school students with graduate students in the complex discussions around Arctic science and climate change. The second day will be integrated into the science conference, giving students and teachers an opportunity to attend and present at poster sessions, interact with graduate students and researchers, attend lectures and, discover the diversity of opportunities that exist in the field of Arctic research. Participants from the previous field program will be invited to attend and share their Arctic research experiences. More info here.