Ice Stories: Dispatches from Polar Scientists

Ice Stories: Dispatches from Polar Scientists is a collaboration between the Exploratorium and scientists working in the Arctic and Antarctica to showcase current polar research in a dynamic and interactive way. With funding from the National Science Foundation in celebration of the International Polar Year, the Exploratorium has given scientists cameras, blogging tools, and training in media production and storytelling, and asked them to document their fieldwork.  In addition, Exploratorium staff members have traveled to the Arctic and Antarctica to have conversations with glaciologists, biologists, climate scientists and astrophysicists during live Webcasts originating at the museum, and to produce videos and other media.

The result is a pioneering use of digital media that lets the scientists present their work directly to the public in a lively, engaging, and immediate way. Viewers also get a glimpse of what life is like in extreme polar conditions. During a research season, the Web site is updated daily and there are Webcasts several times a week. Viewers may comment or ask questions on the Web site or talk to a scientist in real time during a Webcast.

Ice Stories offers twitter feeds, RSS feeds, live webcams, and video and audio dispatches from the "deep field," as well as articles and videos by Exploratorium science writers and producers on topics like climate change, penguins, and the history of Antarctic exploration.

Ice Stories is intended to communicate current science to a general web audience.