1. Home
  2. Ice Bits Newsletter
  3. Education / Outreach

Education / Outreach

NSF COLDEX Polar Science REU Summer 2026

Article Content:

The U.S. National Science Foundation Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (NSF COLDEX) is excited to announce that applications are OPEN for the Summer 2026 NSF COLDEX Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program!

During the NSF COLDEX REU experience, students work with ice core scientists and researchers to answer questions that will help find the oldest ice in Antarctica and make important contributions to our understanding of Earth’s climate history. For detailed information about NSF COLDEX and its REU program, visit the NSF COLDEX REU website at https://coldex.org/reu.

For questions about the NSF COLDEX REU program, contact the NSF COLDEX Coordinator for Education, Outreach, and Engagement, Mindy Nicewonger at mindy.nicewonger@oregonstate.edu.

Successful School of Ice at Dartmouth College

Article Content:

A successful School of Ice took place at Dartmouth College from June 23 to 28, 2025. The School of Ice is an advanced professional development meeting for faculty at 2- and 4-year colleges and universities. Advanced Placement high school educators also benefit from the experiential activities and resources.

Thirteen participants representing nine states came from 13 different institutions to experience ice core science through hands-on classroom labs, field trips, and interactions with ice core researchers and engineers. Participants built background knowledge and gained resources and confidence in their skills to incorporate cutting-edge ice core research into their existing courses.

Image
2025 School of Ice (SOI) participants learn to use different techniques for dating ice cores. Credit: Louise Huffman.
2025 School of Ice participants learn to use different techniques for dating ice cores. Credit: Louise Huffman.
Image
2025 SOI field trip to observe evidence of the last glacial maximum. Credit: Bill Grosser.
2025 School of Ice field trip to observe evidence of the last glacial maximum. Credit: Bill Grosser.
Image
Group photo of the 2025 SOI participants wearing “Big Red” jackets. Credit: Bill Grosser.
Group photo of the 2025 School of Ice participants wearing “Big Red” jackets. Credit: Bill Grosser. 
Video Url
The School of Ice celebration video illustrates the packed week of collegiality, learning, and fun.

Browse by Topic

Requesting Field Support

If you are preparing a NSF proposal that includes any kind of support from IDP, you must include a Letter of Support from IDP in the proposal. Researchers are asked to provide IDP with a detailed support request six weeks prior to the date the Letter of Support is required. Early submissions are strongly encouraged.

Program Information

The U.S. National Science Foundation Ice Drilling Program (IDP) is a NSF-funded facility. IDP conducts integrated planning for the ice drilling science and technology communities, and provides drilling technology and operational support that enables the community to advance the frontiers of science.