To Antarctica and back: Scientists share at MBHS

Two of Mountain Brook’s most adventurous journeyed to Antarctica in the name of science, and returned to share their stories at Mountain Brook High School.

At the invitation of science teacher Megan O’Neill, UAB Endowed Professor of Polar and Marine Biology Jim McClintock spoke about the work he has done on the continent from more than 20 trips spanning 30 years. The focus of his talk was his research on Antarctic animals in the icy waters around Palmers Station.

At the end of his talk, he reminded the audience that the ozone layer was healing after the global outlaw of fluorocarbons and that we can make a change for the better in our environment. Afterwards, McClintock signed his new book, Lost Antarctica: Adventures in a Disappearing Land.

O’Neill visited the South Pole in 2009 through the National Science Foundation ARMADA project and in 2007 participated in a climate change project in the North Pole. O’Neill also brings world-renowned scientists whom she knows into her classroom via Skype. She has earned many awards including the Albert Einstein Distinguished Teaching Fellowship award and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.