Bishop Smith student will study polar climate change
Rebecca Sandrelli ventured to Canada's arctic
Posted By LAUREN FIELDING, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY OBSERVER
Updated 2 months ago
A Bishop Smith Catholic High School student is one of a group of 10 chosen to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic excursion.
Rebecca Sandrelli, a Grade 10 student at Bishop Smith, was chosen by 'Schools on Board' to take part in its 2009 field program, where students will study polar climate change with scientists from ArcticNet, the program's creator.
Schools on Board is a nation-wide outreach program for students, designed to combine Arctic research with science education in Canadian high schools. It is based out of the University of Manitoba's Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources and aims to increase awareness of global climate change.
Ms. Sandrelli has been interested in environmental sciences for a few years and has participated in national science fairs since she was in Grade 8, when she won a bronze medal. She then won a gold medal in life sciences and a bronze medal in environmental innovation at later fairs.
Ms. Sandrelli was chosen from more than 500 applicants to the program, the selection narrowing from 500 students from schools across Canada to a handful of students selected from schools chosen by Schools on Board program officials. Prospective applicants were required to have a keen interest in science, be highly motivated, willing to work in a team, and have a sense of adventure.
Ms. Sandrelli worked hard to secure her spot in the program, and is excited to have the opportunity to do something she enjoys.
"I sent out letters for financial support from the community, and it responded very well," she said. "There were various donors who were all very generous. I've always liked science, especially environmental sciences."
Three students were chosen for the program from Labrador, one each from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia, and two from Ontario. The students received textbooks on organic marine biology when they were first accepted for the program, and correspond with each other through e-mail in preparation for their journey.
Ms. Sandrelli and her classmates flew to Iqaluit recently and then took a helicopter to the CCGS Amundsen. They will be travelling to the Arctic through the northern fjords of Labrador, and will be staying on the Amundsen at their destination for 16 days.
Students chosen to participate will take part in several different aspects of the program on board the Amundsen, Canada's own research icebreaker. Presentations, group projects, lab and field work are just a few of the activities offered. Lectures from graduate students and nationally-renowned scientists from the university and government sectors of the program help students discover just what kind of career a person can have in scientific research.
After they have completed their research and recorded their findings, ArcticNet and the students will return to Iqaluit, meet with community elders and people experiencing climate change and hold a conference on their discoveries. They will then move to other northern cities and finally to Quebec City to discuss global climate change with researchers, communities and students alike.
When Ms. Sandrelli returns to Pembroke, she will be presenting her findings in different science classes to inform students of the results of her research. She is excited to see just what the Arctic and its environment have in store for her, and believes that this excursion will help her to further her understanding on climate change and the effect it has on not only the Arctic, but the nation as well.
"I don't strictly believe there's global warming, but I believe there is climate change," Ms. Sandrelli said. "It affects everyone, not just northern regions, and as a nation we should be working together to prevent the problems that contribute to climate change."
Ms. Sandrelli knows that her role as a member of a generation able to change the future is important, and she is determined to do her part in finding out just what climate change is doing to the Earth, and what measures have to be taken to prevent it from getting worse.
"We as students are the future, we're a necessary step for change," she said. "Whether or not global warming exists, there is evidence that climate change exists. By collecting data we'll be able to see if this is true and take steps to changing the world."
Rebecca lives with her mother Sheila in Laurentian Valley Township.
