Students Take Online Education To Antarctica
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They will be travelling to the ends of the earth, climbing snow and ice covered glaciers, and enduring temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 Celsius). As if that isn't challenge enough, they'll still be expected to attend class regularly and get their homework done on time.
They, are three students from Capella University who will be competing in the eighth annual Antarctica Marathon next year to help their school prove just how versatile online learning can be. While taking part in the marathon, which begins Feb. 26, 2007 on King George Island, students will use laptop computers to log on to their online classes by satellite, work on course materials and even engage in real time conversations with their instructors and classmates. The students will also maintain a blog chronically their experiences during the marathon.
"Distance runners and Capella students have many similarities," says Michael J. Offerman, Capella University President, "They both require dedication, commitment and perseverance. The Antarctica Marathon is known as one of the world's toughest, and Capella's involvement demonstrates how far our students can and will go to make their mark in the world."
Capella will serve as the presenting sponsor for the 2007 Antarctica Marathon and has been serving students as an accredited online university since 1993. The school currently has about 16,000 students taking part in its graduate and bachelor degree programs in subjects ranging from information technology and business to psychology and human services.
As Team Capella members work towards their degrees during the marathon they will at times be observed by chinstrap penguins and southern elephant seals. The marathon route itself is a figure eight design that takes runners through both rocky and glacial terrain, with stops at the research bases of Uruguay, Chile, China, and Russia. During the time of the marathon temperatures are expected to range between 30 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (approx. -1 to -12 degrees Celsius) with a wind chill factor of 10 degrees Farhrenheit. (-12 degrees Celsius).
When not participating in the marathon itself, runners will have the opportunity to attend lectures by historians and scientists while on board ship and take part in wildlife excursion to seal colonies and penguin rookeries on land. Marathon organizers will also provide tents and sleeping equipment for those who want to try camping on the Antarctica Peninsula. As well, kayaks will be available for exploring the fiords of the peninsula and getting a closer look at pods of minke whales or Antarctica's sculptured icebergs.
Event organizer Marathon Tours and Travel reports that bookings are already sold out for the 2007 and 2008 Antarctica Marathon, but waitlist members are still being accepted for 2008. Booking forms and information about the organization's past and upcoming marathons can be found at www.marathontours.com/antarctica.
Those interested in following the progress of Capella's Antarctica Marathon runners can do so by visiting www.capella.edu/antarcticamarathon.