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 This new expedition will be with a very small and exclusive group of only 10 students and 3 scientists, and it will be the most hands-on experience we have offered yet! Floe-edge is the name given to the area in the spring where the frozen Arctic Ocean meets the open Arctic Ocean. Trips to the floe-edge take place in late May and June. Under constant daylight and given clear skies, under the midnight sun, we will take in magnificent mountain views, glaciers, ancient Thule, and have the chance to see a terrific variety of Arctic wildlife.
 Departing from Ottawa, our team of students and scientists from around the world will fly north across the Arctic Circle to the tiny community of Pond Inlet on the north coast of Baffin Island in Canada.
The expedition explores the land to the east of the Inuit community of Pond Inlet towards Baffin Bay. Guided by experienced Students on Ice staff and Inuit guides, the ice conditions and weather will determine the exact route we are to follow. Watch the daily journal entries for an updated satellite image map of the Pond Inlet Floe Edge, as it becomes avaivlable through the course of the expedition.
 The Komatiks (sleds) that are used to transport everything needed for our trip, are an incredible piece of equipment that has changed little over hundreds of years.
Together with our team of scientists and Inuit team members, we´ll explore the link between Inuit Traditional Knowledge and Sustainable Living. A tailored education program of hands-on activities, lectures and workshops and will take place each day.
 From our comfortable established base camp on the ice we will venture out each day to explore, experience, study and photograph the surrounding area.
Recent years have seen dramatic political and climatic changes in the Arctic. For instance, the Territory of Nunavut has been established and it appears the polar sea-ice is thinning due to an increase in the average annual temperature. Our education team, consisting of world-class scientists and polar experts, will address these issues and many others through an education program consisting of lectures, workshops and hands-on activities during the expedition. A pre-expedition preparatory program will help get all students ready in advance.
The Arctic cannot be seen in isolation. The northern regions are part of a circumpolar world that shares physical and environmental characteristics, as well as challenges and opportunities. Understanding global climate change and its effects on the Arctic regions must be made a priority, since climate change has the greatest effects on regions in the high latitudes.
This trip has been described as one of the classic Arctic adventures. The awesome power of the North can only be understood by seeing and experiencing it first hand. Living on the sea ice and exploring the floe-edge presents each participating youth with a life-changing and inspiring opportunity to experience one of the great wilderness areas left on Earth. The Students on Ice Arctic expedition is an incredible opportunity for participating students to expand their knowledge about the circumpolar world, and to gain a new global perspective of our planet, its wonders, and its present and future challenges.
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