Students pose in front of a mammoth skeleton in the foyer of the Natural Heritage Building
Photo by Lee Narraway, Students on Ice

July 30, 2009

Expedition Update: 8:43 a.m.

Ottawa, Ontario

Students and staff woke this today ready for a full day of activities in the nation’s capital.

Shortly after breakfast at Carleton University, the students travelled to the Museum of Nature's (CMN) amazing research centre in Gatineau, Quebec for a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the museum's impressive Arctic collections.

The students were met by CMN staff volunteers who broke them into groups for the tour. Students had an opportunity to meet and learn from some of Canada's leading polar scientists and researchers - and visit the labs and environments where they work! For many of these budding scientists, the opportunity to see a leading scientist in action was incredibly exciting!

After the tours, we assembled for a big Expedition Launch which was hosted by the museum! Elizabeth McCrea, Communications Director of the museum welcomed the group and introduced the guest speakers! Local drum dancers and throat singers (Lynda Brown and Heidi Langille) opened the event, followed by welcoming remarks by CMN President and CEO Joanne DiCosimo. Rosemary Cooper of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami gave a wonderful and inspiring talk to the students, encouraging them to make the most of their time together. ITK is the national voice of Canada's Inuit.

After the launch event, Tim Straka - SOI's Education Program Director - led the students and educators in a fun round of 'student-educator speed-dating' which isn't at all what it sounds like! Students and educators moved from table to table meeting each other and learning about each other's backgrounds, interests and specialities. It was a fun and lively way for the team to meet and learn about each other!

Next, it was off to Parliament Hill for a special tour of Canada's Parliament Buildings. SOI Educator and former Member of Parliament, Peter Adams, helpfully provided wonderful insights and access to otherwise off-limits areas of the Parliament Buildings. Some students even had the opportunity to sit down in the Prime Minister's seat in the House of Commons!

By 6:00 pm, it was back to Carleton for dinner, and then early evening presentations by Fred Roots and Peter Adams - followed by a final briefing about tomorrow's flight to the Arctic!

Before we all knew it - our long and exciting day had to come an end!

10:00 p.m. - Lights out!

Click above to watch the Introductory SOI Arctic Expedition 2009 video

Don't forget to check out the A-Channel interview with Geoff and some students from this summer's expedition. Click here to watch!

Students hold up the globe and artist Jolly Attogoyuk poses with an inuksuk
Photo by Lee Narraway, Students on Ice

Brita Canada generously donate water bottles for the expedition
Photo by Lee Narraway, Students on Ice

Students pose with a model of a sea turtle in the Natural Heritage Building
Photo by Lee Narraway, Students on Ice

Students enjoy their tour and team-building games at the Natural Heritage Building
Photo by Lee Narraway, Students on Ice

Inuit throat singers Heidi Langille and Lynda Brown wow the crowd
Photo by Lee Narraway, Students on Ice

the SOI Arctic Expedition 2009 visit Parliament Hill
Photo by Lee Narraway, Students on Ice

Students check out Parliament. Taylor Verall (right) sits in the Prime Minister's seat
in the House of Commons - Photo by Lee Narraway, Students on Ice

View of the Parliament of Canada´s Library
Photo by Lee Narraway, Students on Ice

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