Natalie Ylizarde is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland studying science education.
On December 30th, 2016 (Day #5), we set sail on the final leg of our journey to Antarctica. I stood on the icebreaker’s deck and watched the city of Punta Arenas, Chile fade into the sunset. The Laurence M. Gould (LMG), a 230-foot long research vessel (R/V), would be my floating … Continue reading →
On Friday December 30, 2016, I officially moved aboard the Laurence M. Gould (LMG) icebreaker ship for the final leg of my journey to Antarctica. My heart felt heavy saying goodbye to my husband, since we would be apart for six weeks, including New Years, my birthday, and Valentines Day. I am also … Continue reading →
Day #4: Preparations for my final leg of travel to Palmer Station, Antarctica were in full swing. I felt relieved that I had made it this far (7,333 miles!) with no major delays or complications. However, I still had the most daunting part of the trip still ahead of me: the voyage across … Continue reading →
Dear Elementary Schools, Show your support for our Antarctic Research Expedition by participating in the “Read and Walk to Antarctica” project! This school-wide project challenges elementary students to read books or do physical activity that equates to the 8,000 mile (12,900 km) journey to the bottom of the world. Not only do students strengthen their … Continue reading →
Two days, three flights, and 7,333 miles later – I finally arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile. Located on the Strait of Magellan -which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans – Punta Arenas (PA) is a charming port city that has a rich history in trade and exploration. PA also serves as a base for excursions … Continue reading →
I made my final flight just in time. You could probably hear my sigh of relief around the globe. Now on the 3rd leg of my trip (still day #2), my travel itinerary was back on schedule. And, I had a window seat to witness the spectacular transformation of the Chilean landscape … Continue reading →
As I settled into my airplane seat, I was so relieved to finally be internationally bound. This was going to be a long flight and I was ready to get some sleep. Eight hours and 15 minutes later, the airplane landed at my next waypoint. Any ideas where? I’ll give you a … Continue reading →
As I approached the gate to my flight, I began recounting the extensive preparations leading up to this pivotal moment. Indeed, traveling to Antarctica is no easy feat. In addition to the sheer logistics of getting there to do scientific research, my teammates and I also had to pass rigorous medical and dental examinations to ensure our … Continue reading →
Departure Day was a flurry of emotions. I felt excited that the countdown was finally over, but felt sad to say goodbye to my family over the holidays. On the other hand, I was thrilled that my husband would be joining me for part of the trip. With so many waypoints between … Continue reading →
With my departure quickly approaching, I could really use your help finalizing my packing list. What items should I pack for a polar expedition? What items are essential? What items would be nice to have? … Continue reading →
