High School: Polar Microbes

The microorganisms that inhabit Earth’s polar regions are uniquely adapted to live in these harsh places. Explore how these tiny organisms survive and learn about the important part they play in Earth’s carbon cycle.

 

In this course, you will learn that there is more to Earth’s polar regions than the animals you can see! The microorganisms that inhabit our coldest and most remote regions – tiny bacteria, archaea, and protists – have unique adaptations that allow them to live in these harsh places. They also play an important role in Earth’s carbon cycle. Students will learn what makes polar environments unique, how microbes have adapted to thrive in these environments and how these microbes help to regulate Earth’s climate. Students will have the option to construct a simple climate model using the open-source computer language R.
 

What You Will Learn

Students in High School: Polar Microbes will:

• Distinguish the Arctic and the Antarctic by their unique physical, chemical, and biological characteristics
• Gain a thorough understanding of the microbial life present in polar regions
• Understand how polar microbes contribute to the carbon cycle and help regulate Earth’s climate
• Perform research and deliver a presentation on an interesting polar microbe and its potential application for human use
• Know how to construct a simple climate model in the computer language R

Return to the Sally Ride Science website here. 

Course Number: SIO-90044
Credit: 1.50 unit(s)

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7/24/2023 - 7/28/2023

$199

In-class

San Diego

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• SECTION ID:

  175475

• CLASS TYPE:

  This is a traditional classroom setting.
  
  All class meetings held in-person according to published location, dates and times. Students may be expected to engage with course content online during the published course dates.

• INSTRUCTOR:
  

  Connors, Beth

  Beth Connors is a marine microbial ecologist, with an interest in the microbiological components of global biogeochemical cycling and climate change.  She holds a dual BA in Marine Science and Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. As a certified SCUBA Divemaster, she has worked as a science diver in Tahiti, coastal California, and the Caribbean. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, focusing on bacterial ecology along the Western Antarctic Peninsula.

• TEXTBOOKS:

  No information available at this time.

• POLICIES:

  Early enrollment advised.
  No UCSD parking permit required.
  No visitors permitted.
  Pre-enrollment required.
  No refunds after: 7/17/2023.
  

• NOTE:

DATE	DAY	START	END	LOCATION
7/24/2023	Mon	9:00 a.m.	12:00 p.m.	Room 210, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego
7/25/2023	Tue	9:00 a.m.	12:00 p.m.	Room 210, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego
7/26/2023	Wed	9:00 a.m.	12:00 p.m.	Room 210, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego
7/27/2023	Thu	9:00 a.m.	12:00 p.m.	Room 210, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego
7/28/2023	Fri	9:00 a.m.	12:00 p.m.	Room 210, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego