The Polar Weekend on the weekend of February 2 and 3 was a fantastic event for everyone, and a nice occation to learn about and experience the earth's polar regions at New York's American Museum of Natural History.
And you still have the chance to win a fantastic trip with Hurtigruten to the High North! To read more about the competition and the prize, please click here.
Of the numerous activities at the museum this weekend was a spectacular multimedia presentation on the myths and modern science behind the northern lights by Pål Brekke who visits New York from the Norwegian Space Center.
Pål's giveaways and lecture about aurora borealis had people mezmerised.
Cecilie Mauritzen from Norway's Institute of Meteorology and co-author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fourth Assessment Report (Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis), gave a lecture on the ongoing climate research in the poles that is part of International Polar Year. We spoke with Mauritzen about climate change and her reseatch, click here to read the interview.
Cecilie Mauritzen explained what is happening in the oceans as ice melts and why there is need for action on the issues of Climate Change right now.
Polar explorer Liv Arnesen will speak about the importance of having a dream. At the age of 9, Arnesen dreamed of skiing to the South Poleand eventually made her dream a reality. She now uses expeditions as a metaphor and as a tool for lectures and workshops on self-management and teamwork.
The Sami tent was one of the most popular attractions at the Polar Weekend
Some of the finest Sami musicians also came to the museum to perform and talk about the traditional Joik, a special way of chanting/singing that is deeply ingrained in the Sami culture. You can read more about the Samis here.
Terje Tretnes was there with three fellow musicians, and would readily answer any question about Sami culture and living in the High North.
For a complete program of the polar weekend, visit the American Museum of Natural History's Polar Website
Have a look at the .pdf flyer for the polar fair by clicking here!
(Adobe Reader required, get it by clicking here)
When: February 2 and 3 from 12pm to 5pm
Where: American Museum of Natural History,
Info: Call (212) 769-5315 or visit the museum online here