BBC Highlights Icelandic Students’ Glacier Research

On the 14th of October BBC London Radio hosts Maria Margaroni and Richard Fenton Smith interviewed three high school students at FAS school for a program about glaciers and climate change. BBC finds it important to come to areas where there are major changes in the glaciers and want to know what it is like to live close to the glaciers. Additionally they want to know if people are experiencing change and how it affects their lives. They had heard that in FAS, students were able to measure glaciers and wanted to talk specifically to students about that experience which is described below.

The geology students talked to the broadcasters and shared their experience with glacier measurements. In addition to discussing glaciers, the conversation was wide-ranging covering many subjects. For example, the lives of young people in rural areas and legends. Maria and Richard were very pleased with their interviewees from FAS and talked especially about their good English skills. It was clear that the kids were well connected with their environment and felt the importance of caring for nature.

Maria and Richard will also talk to several members of the municipality, but will return home during the week and prepare for the broadcast episode, which is expected in the air in late November or early December. In addition to broadcasting the episode on BBC 4, the episode will also be available on BBC World Service and will be available outside the UK.

(Icelandic text available here.)

Glacier Measurements on Science Days – 24 October 2018

This morning, science days started in FAS, when the school books are set aside and students are engaged in various kinds of research. One of the groups working on science days went on glacier measurements at Heinabergsjökull this morning. It was foggy and soggy in Höfn when leaving early in the morning, but gradually the weather improved and by the end of the trip the bright sun was shining and our nature sparkled at its most beautiful. Also included were Snævarr and Lilja from the South Eastern Nature Agency. Snævarr is a natural geologist and works extensively on glacier research. It is a privilege for students of FAS to have access to specialists from the Nature Agency who are willing to share their experience and knowledge.

This time the hike started on the old bridge over Lake Heinaberg. From there we went to Heinaberg lagoon where the glacier was measured. Usually the glacier was measured in two places but because the glacier has shrunk and thinned it was only possible to measure in one place. For those who do not know, the Heinabergsjökull glacier progresses to a glacier reservoir and therefore angular geometry must be used to calculate the glacier’s position at each time. Students were taken to the measuring station on buses and it is only a 30 minute journey.

On the way to the measuring station, all kinds of traces of the glacier were examined and also how the outer forces continue to shape the land.

The next day the group will calculate the state of the glacier this year and then it will be possible to compare those calculations with the results of previous years. Students at the school have for many years measured the glaciers in the vicinity of Höfn where the school is located.

Students present their findings Friday at the end of Science Days to interested residents of the local area and students from the other groups.

(Icelandic text and images available here.)

Kolbrún Svala Hjaltadóttir is a retired teacher and PEI Member from Reykjavik, Iceland. She works as an ambassador for NSS  and eTwinning which offers a platform for staff working in schools in European countries. She assists teachers to communicate, collaborate, develop projects, share and be part of the exciting learning community in Europe.