Libertyville teacher tapped by NASA
By Anna Tarkov atarkov@pioneerlocal.com January 25, 2013 7:10PM
Libertyville High School teacher and cross country coach Mark Buesing of Bristol, Wisconsin will travel to Greenland in April to participate in NASA’s Operation IceBridge. | Special to Sun- Times Media
Updated: March 27, 2013 2:12AM
LIBERTYVILLE — Libertyville High School Science Teacher Mark Buesing will travel to Greenland in April to participate in NASA’s Operation IceBridge, a six-year mission to map polar ice in greater detail.
A physics teacher, Buesing applied to be part of the research team through PolarTREC, which pairs K-12 teachers with polar researchers. He is the author of the 2008 book, “The Physicist’s Guide to Weight Loss”.
“PolarTREC and I share many of the same goals, chief among them is to get students interested in science, technology, math and science (STEM) careers,” Buesing said.
Approximately 300 teachers applied to participate in polar projects around the globe.
Buesing was one of only 15 chosen. The purpose is to better understand how the polar regions are connected to the global climate system.
Though his days will be full while on the mission, Buesing will make time to connect with his Libertyville classroom.
A resident of Bristol, Wis., he also will connect to his own children’s elementary school.
“If any teachers want to participate, they should contact me,” Buesing said. “I hope to make this experience valuable to as many students as possible.”
PolarTREC is managed by the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS) and funded by the National Science Foundation. For more information visit www.polartrec.com. For more information on ARCUS, visit www.arcus.org.
