When the USCGC Healy left Dutch Harbor, Alaska, on March 11, middle school science and technology teacher Craig Kasemodel began two weeks of research on late winter conditions in the Bering Sea. The Anchorage, Alaska, teacher will be working with Lee Cooper, chief scientist for several science cruises that will take place in 2008. The expeditions are sponsored by (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating in the Arctic and Antarctic). PolarTREC teachers participate in field research in the Arctic or Antarctic for two to six weeks as an integral part of the science team.

Teachers maintain online journals and answer questions from students and others while they are onboard the research ship. When they return, teachers and researchers continue to share their experience with the public through public presentations, scientific conferences, teacher workshops, and journal articles. Each PolarTREC teacher will also create instructional activities to transfer scientific data, methodologies, and technology into their classrooms.