.

Citizen Science

Citizen Science

Making a difference, one guest at a time

There’s important work being done every day, at some of the most renowned climate research facilities around the world, to record and study the incredible changes happening in remote places like Antarctica. As you might imagine, gathering critical on-site data on a regular basis would be a virtually impossible task for these groups. So we do it for them, in partnership with research facilities like NASA and the Scripps Institute.
If you’d like to get a first-hand look at how climate change is impacting our birds, sea life, glaciers, oceans, and weather patterns, and help scientists better understand our evolving planet, you’re welcome to join our Citizen Science program. And don’t let the word “science” scare you. We make it informative, interactive, and fun.

Is there a test?

There’s no test. But you will learn fancy words like phytoplankton and microplastics, as well as how to collect seawater samples, or track whales using Happywhale, which is all pretty cool stuff.

We begin our program as soon as we are in the Southern Ocean and continue throughout the voyage. There will be multiple chances to join in on several different unique projects while on board and on shore, whether you’re interested in Oceanography, Glaciology, Ornithology, Marine Biology or Meteorology.

As always in Antarctica, the best-laid plans can change with the weather, but our Citizen Science coordinator will keep you posted on each day’s projects.

Real Science with Real Scientists

An extraordinary, indelible Antarctic experience featuring compelling and engaging ‘real’ science and ‘real’ scientists. Stimulating to all the senses and the intellect.

Mike Coffin
The Whale Science Voyage, 2019
What else do people say about us?

The Details

Our Citizen Science program is complimentary and open to everyone on board who wants to help us with real-world scientific research. There are a number of projects you can take part in and participation availability can vary, so be sure to check out the sign-up sheets when you board the ship.

Projects we regularly engage in include:

  • Phytoplankton studies for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography
    Mapping the health of the Antarctic Biosphere
  • Penguin surveys for Dr Heather Lynch at Stony Brook University
    Click here to see an NBC News report with Dr Lynch about this project
    Click here to read an article on how this project impacts all Antarctic stakeholders
  • Mapping cloud patterns for NASA's Globe Observer
    Tracking changes in clouds in support of climate research.
  • Salp Project for the Alfred Wegener Institute
    Tracking the increase in salp levels at landing sites
  • Measuring ocean salinity and temperature using CastAway
    Building a database of levels in specific fjord systems
  • Photographing and identifying whales using Happywhale
    Tracking the migratory and feeding patterns of whales worldwide.
    Follow our whales here!
Activities