Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1518396
"I never enjoyed science classes at school. Yet here I am in Antarctica, rushing back from a penguin colony visit to an ornithology lecture, happily risking frostnip to watch the release of a weather balloon and tracking whales with the sort of laser focus I normally apply to tracking down online shopping bargains." K r i s t i e Ke l l a h a n – F r e e l a n c e J o u r n a l i s t O B S E R VAT I O N D EC K W E AT H E R BA L LO O N L AU N C H T H E S C I E N C E L A BO R ATO RY CITIZEN SCIENCE Citizen science is a collaboration between scientists and the general public to collect data, conduct scientific research and analyse the findings with the goal of allowing everyday people to contribute to the scientific community and learn more about unique environments and the challenges they face. When we created The Thinking Person's Expedition our intention was that every expedition would provide opportunities for discovery. During each voyage, guests can participate in real, significant science that contributes to research and ultimately to the publication of scientific papers. Our scientific approach centres on having the platform to explore with the personnel to interpret what is found. By taking part in Viking's Citizen Science Program you can gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and the importance of protecting fragile environments like Antarctica. Viking hosts a NASA-funded program of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, allowing guests to engage in research and public education through novel citizen science sampling of polar phytoplankton for genetic population analyses. Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris have also been designated National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather stations, from which we launch weather balloons. As a citizen scientist you could participate in activities such as the Happy Whale program which identifies and tracks individual whale movements, or the FjordPhyto plankton research program which investigates how melting glaciers are affecting phytoplankton diversity. 81 Call us on 138 747 (AU), 0800 447 913 (NZ) or contact your local Viking travel agent