Last week at the BSSC was filled with lots of fun and field trips as we learned about the similarities and differences between the North Pole and South Pole. We kicked off the week focusing on some of the biggest Antarctic creatures through lessons on ocean gigantism, learning about why organisms like the colossal squid are so large and how that benefits them in their cold and deep environments. On top of that our Stay’s’ls (age 9 – 17) performed experiments to visualize how specific antifreeze proteins in the blood of polar fish work to prevent ice crystals from spreading in their bodies, allowing them to survive in subfreezing temperatures. In the afternoon, the Mizzens (age 5 – 8) learned about some of the adaptations both Arctic and Antarctic animals use through a blubber experiment. Each camper had the opportunity to test faux fur, feathers and blubber (crisco) in ice water and record which one kept their hand warm the longest. The decision was unanimous in favor of the blubber (crisco), which protects all polar marine mammals and a few birds in the harsh climates at the Poles. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Mizzens and Stay’s’ls had the opportunity to visit the Bowdoin College Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum where they explored the new exhibit highlighting traditional food in the North as well as doing a deep dive into Arctic animals such as the Polar Bear, Muskox and many more. The Mizzens had the unique opportunity to build their own “Baby Legs” which is an affordable surface trawler made with baby tights and plastic soda bottles to trap microplastics in waterways. After a morning at the Arctic Museum on each of these days, we took a trip to the Bowdoin College Schiller Coastal Studies Center where we explored their wet lab and shoreline leaving our creative side on the Center’s sidewalk with images of Maine and Arctic Region chalk murals.

Our fabulous trip to the Arctic Museum and the Schiller Coastal Studies Center would not have been possible without the time and support the following parents and family gave to us: Heather Eastwood, Chris Goff, Colleen Matthews, Katie Kenbeek, Maribeth Kenbeek, Amber Kidd, Jennifer Baldwin, Matthew Moorehead and Karen Cole.

On Thursday the fun and learning continued with a highspeed Polar predator relay and an observation of BSSC created ice cores that showed how layers of ice capture history and, particular to the Polar Regions, everything from ancient greenhouse gasses to recent algal blooms. We ended our week with a field trip to Bigelow Laboratory’s Open House. Stay’s’ls had the opportunity to attend lectures focusing on real time research going on at the Lab, while Mizzens took time to visit all the interactive activities inside and outside, learning about ocean acidification, DNA extraction, seaweed pressing and racing “plankton” that they created from clay.

And last week we had an eventful week of sailing, kayaking, and rowing! Our daily schedule got shaken up a bit because of the amazing opportunity for all campers to visit the Bowdoin College Arctic Museum and Schiller Coastal Studies Center.

On Tuesday, the Stay’s’l group showed off their kayaking and rowing skills during their trek to Perch Island where they spent most of the morning exploring the Island. After lunch the wind gave us the chance to go sailing on the Center’s P-15s, Rhodes, and Sonars. Later in the week the Stay’s’ls also got the chance to learn how to use a spinnaker.

For the Mizzens it was a week of honing in on their Turnabout sailing skills. They are motivated to keep developing their sailing, rowing, and rigging skills that add “earned skills beads” to their bracelets. Overall, the week was great with lots of smooth sailing! We can’t wait to dive into week 5!