Montreal Biodôme Educator Evelyne Daigle Accompanying 75 Students on Expedition to Canadas Arctic

By Nadine Fortin

Montreal, Canada - Biodôme educator Evelyne Daigle, is getting her sea legs ready for the excursion of a lifetime as she prepares to set sail with 75 students on the Students on Ice 2009 expedition to Canada’s Arctic.

The Montréal Biodôme is one of the 16 member institutions of the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada (ANHMC). During the International Polar Year, the ANHMC partnered with Students on Ice to present the highly successful national Polar Perspectives 2008 Speakers Series and Youth Forums.

Educators from four other members of the ANHMC – the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton, the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg, the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History in Halifax and the New Brunswick Museum in Saint-John – will also be part of the expedition this year.

"This is a very exciting opportunity for five educators from our member museums," says Pauline Rafferty, ANHMC President. "These educators will be able to work on the team to engage youth in a unique, Canadian environment and bring this experience home to share with their own communities."

“This kind of immersive experience changes our perspective on nature. It’s an incredible opportunity for the educators who have taken on the mission of sharing their knowledge and passion for nature,” says Charles-Mathieu Brunelle, Director of Montréal’s Nature Museums.

Prior to departure, the entire team of about 100 youth and adults will convene for the official expedition launch on July 30 at the Canadian Museum of Nature’s research and collections facility in Gatineau, Quebec.

Departing on July 31, from Kuujjuaq in northern Quebec aboard the vessel Polar Ambassador, the 2009 team will explore the northern reaches of Nunavik and southern Baffin Island, Nunavut for close to two weeks. They will return to Ottawa on August 12.

“Seventy-five Canadian and international youth will have the chance to explore a part of the planet that very few ever get to experience – a place that is widely recognized as the planet’s early-warning system for climate change,” said Geoff Green, founder of Students on Ice. This award-winning organization has been taking students on educational, ship-based expeditions to the Arctic and the Antarctic since 2000.

The group will also include 30 world-renowned scientists, environmentalists and polar educators. Joining them for a second year in a row as a scientific advisor is Dr. Julian Starr, botanist with the Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN) in Ottawa.

“Once again, the Canadian Museum of Nature is pleased to contribute scientific expertise to the Students on Ice expedition to help educate and inspire youth about the Arctic,” says Joanne DiCosimo, CMN President and CEO. “Dr. Starr will help them explore the science and beauty of the Canadian North.”

To view Montreal Biodome's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-717-Montréal_Biodôme