JSEP Frequently Asked Questions

How to I apply?

Fill out the application form here.

ALL application materials (online application, teacher recommendations AND OFFICIAL transcripts must be received by the deadline at 5pm EST). Allow plenty of time for transcripts to arrive to Arlington, VA.

Students must have an email address to apply as most communication will happen via email. Students can create a free account with yahoo, hotmail or gmail.

It is the student's responsibility to verify that all materials are received by the deadline. No exceptions will be made.

How much does it cost to participate?

There is no direct cost to the student. Students should bring money for souvenirs and personal items. All air transportation and baggage fees are covered by the program.

What kind of clothes do I need?

Extreme cold weather outerwear is provided when students go onto the ice sheet. However undergarments are not. Students will need cool weather clothing, rain gear for field work and a good pair of hiking boots that are water resistant/water proof. Students will also need to bring linens (or sleeping bags) and towels for personal use. It also gets warm (70's) in Kanger so warmer weather clothes are also needed. Laundry facilities are provided so only 4-5 days worth of clothing is needed, if that much.

How many students are selected?

This is not set in stone each year because it depends on how many students Greenland invites for their part of the program (the Field School) and how many students the US can support for the Science in Education week. Last year 5 students were selected for the Field School and 2 students were selected for the Science in Education Week. The 2 students who participated in the Science in Education week also participated in the Field School and were a part of the 5 total students.

Where do students live in Greenland? Meals?

During the Field School students live in a dorm in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Last year students made their own breakfast in the dorm, lunch was often a bag lunch because students were in the field doing research and dinner was at a local restaurant in Kangerlussuaq. During the Science in Education week students eat all meals at local restaurants or the cafeteria via a meal ticket. Also during this part of the program students will travel to several field sites including Summit Station, Greenland. While at Summit students will live in tents on the ice and meals are provided by the resident chef. Students will be expected to help with chores at all locations.

What students are eligible to apply? Are teachers allowed to apply?

Only students currently enrolled in high school during the time of the application are eligible. We do not select teachers for the program. The teachers involved are Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows and/or PolarTrec teachers. If you are interested in going to the poles consider the Einstein Fellowship (http://www.einsteinfellows.org) or PolarTrec (http://www.polartrec.com) The Greenlandic teacher is selected by the government of Greenland.

How do we get to Greenland?

Students will take commercial flights to New York. From there everyone boards a military C-130 to Greenland. Domestic flights within Greenland are also via C-130. Watch episodes of NCIS for examples of what its like to fly in a C-130.

Is it safe in Greenland?

Kangerlussuaq is very much like any rural US town with a US military presence. There is a small military post in Kangerlussuaq and the KISS facility (Kangerlussuaq International Science Support) where all scientists who are doing research in Greenland must first pass through before heading "out to the ice" to do research. This means students will have the opportunity to interact with many scientists who come into Greenland to do research and we encourage scientists to participate in the field research activities the students are working on. The KISS building is right next door to the dorms the students will stay in so there are always US Arctic personnel very close to the students at all times.

What will I do in Greenland if I'm selected?

During the Greenland-led portion students will interact with scientists who are in Greenland conducting their own research. Students will also be expected to develop a research plan prior to arriving in Greenland and will conduct their research in the field. At the end students will be expected to give a presentation of their work. During the US-led portion of the program students will travel to various research sites on the ice sheet. Students will continue developing their research project if the site visits provide unique opportunities to collect data relevant to their project. Please check out the previous years' blogs under Albert Einstein Fellows for additional information.

Who travels with the students?

The current Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, Shelly Hynes, will travel with the US students. Before becoming an Einstein Fellow, Shelly Hynes taught Astronomy and Physics at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts (LSMSA) for 10 years. LSMSA is a 3-year residential high school for high achieving, highly motivated students. Because of the residential nature, Ms. Hynes has 10 years of experience traveling with both male and female students all across the globe for educational events. She travels with students each year to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and has taken students to Europe and Costa Rica.

While in Greenland there will be 2 US teachers and one Greenlandic teacher who will supervise the students. However because of the selective nature of the program students are expected to be and thus act as mature young adults. Poor behavior will not be tolerated.