72 YEAR LEGACY OF ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND TRAINING IN POLAR AND MOUNTAIN EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE: JUNEAU ICEFIELD RESEARCH PROGRAM

The Foundation for Glacier & Environmental Research (FGER) is a non-profit that oversees the Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP). JIRP has operated since 1946 and is the longest running program of its kind in North America. Throughout its history, JIRP has inspired over 2000 students in glaciology and related Earth systems science through field-based learning and research. An academic council, charged with designing the curriculum, includes scientists and educators from nationally and internationally recognized Earth systems and polar research programs around the world. JIRP has dozens of faculty who volunteer over 40,000 cumulative hours to teach academic material each season. Faculty also bring cutting-edge scientific research to the Icefield and actively involve students in field work. In addition, JIRP has over a dozen field staff and medical professionals who act as student mentors, guides, and safety personnel. Research shows that structured science education programs with diverse research and academic resources are some of the most effective tools for engaging students in STEM fields over the long-term. In addition to offering exposure to a wide array of research and academics, JIRP capitalizes on proven near-peer mentoring strategies. Current students are mentored and receive guidance from junior staff only slightly older but in the early career science stage, to facilitate their field experiences. JIRP has successfully used student research engagement and near-peer mentoring methods for decades. Their 72-year legacy of alumni who work in academic and policy-related fields is a testament to the program’s effectiveness. This presentation will summarize these prior successes and a future vision of JIRP growing into a more active global polar community science and education resource.