7 p.m. – Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008
Omni Theater
Tickets: $5 | Museum Members: Free.

Advanced Tickets Recommended. Buy advance tickets online or at the Omni Theater Ticket Office. One presentation only!

The North and South Poles are thousands of miles away, but North Texans can see and hear about the latest scientific Polar developments – and what they mean for humans everywhere – when the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History presents a group of Polar experts in “POLAR-PALOOZA – Stories from a Changing Planet” on November 6, 2008, in the Museum’s Omni Theater.

One of just 20 national stops, the Fort Worth POLAR-PALOOZA will feature multimedia presentations from the people who know the Poles best. These Polar authorities will discuss the crucial role that the Poles play in the Earth’s ecosystem, explaining how human activity in the densely-populated mid-latitudes affects the Poles. They’ll also talk about how changes in the Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets impact weather and climate everywhere on Earth, as the Poles continue to change rapidly. At the same time, the experts will examine how the Poles can help humans make wise decisions about building a sustainable future for our species and our civilization.

POLAR-PALOOZA features original High-Definition video clips and authentic polar artifacts along with personal anecdotes and engaging stories from ice researchers, geologists, oceanographers, climate scientists, biologists and residents just back from the Arctic and Antarctic with the latest and most authoritative information about climate change. Together with facts about the amazing adaptations made by penguins, polar bears, seals and fish, you’ll find out why what’s happening at the poles is crucial to all of us.

You’ll hear from:

MARY ALBERT
Snow and ice researcher at the US Army’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab, Hanover NH, and a professor of engineering at Dartmouth College. Mary works in both the Arctic and Antarctic, and was lead U.S. scientist on the Norwegian-U.S. Scientific Traverse of East Antarctica, the longest single-season scientific traverse ever. (For the 4-part podcast mini-series on this amazing adventure, see: http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/pp06nordic03.php and http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/pp06nordic05.php ) Mary also headed up US planning for the current 4th International Polar Year for the National Academy of Sciences from 2003-2005. She’s also committed to education and outreach, and has hosted online webinars for the National Science Teachers’ Association.

GEORGE DIVOKY
Just back from his 34th research season on remote Cooper Island, north of Barrow, AK, George is a bird researcher who started studying black guillemots out of simple curiosity and the love of nature. But over the years he noticed the birds – occupying the same ecological niche up north as penguins down south – were arriving earlier and earlier to nest and lay eggs. He realized he was seeing climate change and global warming impacting biology. ( http://polar-palooza.com/georgedivoky ) Spending most of his time alone on the island, he’s also been seeing first-hand more and more polar bears each season, making his research increasingly dangerous. George will also describe polar bear behavior using remarkable close-up footage of hunting seals, nurturing cubs and swimming with belugas.

SEAN TOPKOK
Sean Topkok is an Inupiat currently working for the Alaska Native Knowledge Network, specializing in recording and making accessible the wisdom of Elders. With relatives still residing in Shismaref, one of the coastal villages threatened by erosion caused by stronger storms and melting permafrost, he’ll share stories of what it’s like to live with climate change, and also show videos featuring Native Alaskans from Barrow, and Huslia, a small community in interior Alaska. (See: http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/pp06native01.php and http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/pp06native02.php

RANDALL DAVIS
Randall (Randy) Davis, a marine biologist from TAMU Galveston should be literally just a few days back from his most recent research trip to Antarctica. He’s an expert on seal behavior and has pioneered the placement on their backs of lightweight video cameras which can record hunting behavior deep underwater. He’ll also present scenes of mother and pup interactions on the sea ice close to McMurdo Station, Antarctica: with seal milk 50 percent fat, pups born at 25 pounds put on another 125 pounds in just 6 weeks! (See http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/pp06antarc03.php )

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime multimedia event! Museum Members are free but you must obtain a ticket in advance. Tickets are limited. Buy advance tickets online at or at the Omni Theater Ticket Office.

POLAR-PALOOZA is made possible by support from NSF, the National Science Foundation, and by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, and is an official IPY activity. POLAR-PALOOZA is produced by PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE, P2K, which is solely responsible for its content.