On Thin Ice:
Antarctic Biology in a changing ocean - June 4, 2016​

Coming this Summer on June 4 to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center in Santa Barbara, CA, On Thin Ice is a multimedia, collaborative outreach effort to expose visitors to the experience of conducting biological research in Antarctica.  "The Ice" is a critical location to conduct global change biology research; not only is it the location of one of the last marine wildernesses, but it is also slated to be especially susceptible to near-future temperatures and carbon dioxide levels. 

This collaborative event, hosted by the Hofmann Lab will bring the following talent to Santa Barbara: 
  • ​Artist Lily Simonson, NSF Artist and Writers fellow (2014), Antarctic Diver.
  • Musician/Documentary Filmmaker Henry Kaiser, NSF Artist and Writers Fellow (2001, 2005), Antarctic Diver.
  • Jean Pennycook, Antarctic penguin researcher and teacher.
Umi Hoshijima will be giving a series of presentations about his experience as an Antarctic diver. SCUBA diving through 6 feet of ice in 28˚F water has its inherent challenges, and presentations will include video footage and gear for the public to experience. 

May 31: Paradise Dive Club, Santa Barbara. This event is not open to the public, and is directed towards members of the local recreational diving community. 

July 11: Pub Talk at Dargan's Pub, Santa Barbara (Public is welcome!)


SeapHox - Undergrad research group with NOAA

From Data Discovery to STEM Education


Time-series pH data collection from polar, temperate and tropical marine ecosytems has lead to middle school science curriculum development. Spearheaded by Lydia Kapsenberg and Amanda Kelley, this lesson teaches students how to:

  • interpret real data
  • develop hypothesis for drivers of pH variability 
  • generate questions based on evidence

For complete list of materials (data, lesson plans, photos), please contact Lydia Kapsenberg. This work was done in collaboration with the Moorea and Santa Barbara Coastal LTERs, NOAA.

Kapsenberg, L, AL Kelley, LA Francis, and SB Raskin. Exploring the complexity of ocean acidification: an ecosystem comparison of coastal pH variability. Science Scope, Nov 2015. PDF

Education through the National Park Service


Lydia Kapsenberg's dissertation research in the Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary led to a collaboration with the National Park Service. For the outreach component of her research, Lydia initiated ocean acidification education of Park employees and Channel Islands Naturalist Corps. In addition, she has developed a multi-media traveling outreach exhibit for ocean acidification education that will be used by the Park. 

Pictured (left): Part of the ocean acidification exhibit, mimicking a SeaFET pH sensor deployment at Anacapa Island landing cove pier, Channel Islands National Park.