14 Jul 2009

Young scientist scores Antarctic experience

A former Morrinsville College student is looking forward to getting cold next summer. Waikato University earth scientist Natalie Miedema was last week named as the winner of this year's Antarctic Youth Ambassador Award.

The Award was developed by Antarctica New Zealand and the Sir Peter Blake Trust to engage young New Zealanders in Antarctic environmental issues. Senior tutor in earth and ocean sciences at Waikato University, Natalie said she applied for the award last month.

Speaking to the Piako Post on Friday, she said going to Antarctica has been a dream for "years and years. It's so untouched." The 23 year old will spend 10 days to two weeks on the ice, mainly at Scott Base plus a night out in a tent, in December or January. She will look at the science projects being undertaken there and environmental practices that surround them.

A former Hoe-O-Tainui School and Morrinsville Intermediate student, Natalie was presented with her award by Lady Blake at the annual Antarctica New Zealand conference in Auckland.  She is interested in the management of extreme environments. For her Masters degree at Waikato University Natalie studied the impact of CO2 in the Waitomo caves and the management of visitor numbers when CO2 levels rise, particularly during flood events (Piako Post Nov 19, 2008). "I see it as important to manage people, and the environment, particularly in pristine environments like Antarctica. When I return form the ice I'll be able to use my ambassador role to talk to people about my experience and new found knowledge, and hopefully it will encourage and inspire a passion for Antarctica and other environments, increasing awareness of our impact on the environment and the need to be proactive in reducing our footprint."

- Piako Post, 8 July 2009