Polar STEAM: 2023 Virtual Collaborations
The application period will open Feb. 20 for the first round of research experiences for educators through Polar STEAM, a new Oregon State University-led program to promote the importance of research in the Arctic and Antarctic through education and the arts.
Polar STEAM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math, offers virtual and in-person research residencies for educators, artists and writers. It is funded through a multi-year, $4 million award from the National Science Foundation.
In Polar STEAM’s first year, educator experiences will be virtual collaborations with researchers working on National Science Foundation polar projects, said Michelle Pratt, Polar STEAM’s program manager. In future years, the program will offer field-based and virtual collaborations in the Arctic and the Antarctic.
Another set of opportunities will be open in the coming months to creative practitioners within the arts and humanities for the Antarctic Artists and Writers program. Selected participants will deploy to the Antarctic and collaborate with polar researchers to help increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of human and scientific endeavors in the Antarctic through artistic work.