Category: Research Projects

 

REVEALING DATA PUBLISHED FROM KRILL PROJECT

PRESS RELEASE – JANUARY 2023

REVEALING DATA PUBLISHED FROM KENT SCOUTS KRILL PROJECT

  • The T.A.S.K. (“THE ANTARCTICA SCOUT KRILL”) project was carried out by the Kent Scouts REQUEST2021 Antarctica expedition team in partnership with British Antarctic Survey to study and raise awareness of the importance of Antarctic krill to the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
  • British Antarctic Survey loaned the team of Scouts a replica Nansen Net and all the other necessary equipment for capturing the krill samples.
  • Twelve samples in total were taken by the team a year ago between the 7th and 13th January 2022 whilst on board the Bark Europa tall ship in the waters of the Antarctic peninsula.

After analysing the samples taken by the team, Prof Geraint Tarling FMBA, Ecosystems Science Leader, British Antarctic Survey, said:

There were a small number of krill (Euphausia superba) captured. However, most interesting were the larger number of krill eggs. These are negatively buoyant and will quickly sink to beyond 500 m once spawned, so it indicates that there was a very recent spawning event during the period of sampling.”

Bear Grylls, Chief Scout, had sent the team off on their expedition with these encouraging words:

“You are truly following in the footsteps of many legends including the great Sir Ernest Shackleton who set off on his Quest expedition. You are also doing vital work in how we can protect the world around us, which is so important.”

[236 Words] For more information, please contact alan.noake@kentscouts.org.uk 07525 633435
High resolution images available upon request. ENDS

Notes to Editor:

About the Project

  • Tarling, G. A., Ward, P., Fielding, S., & Noake, A. (2022). Mesozooplankton collected by the Bark Europa in Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/6676EC60-9E37-45A8-B447-938256438E9F
  • Taxonomic analysis of the plankton samples was carried out by Dr Peter Ward and the data curated by Petra Ten Hoopen of the Polar Data Centre at the British Antarctic Survey.
  • The ReQuest2021 project was a wider programme of activity centred around the expedition to Antarctica to commemorate the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition of 1921-1922 which included two Scouts: James Marr and Norman Mooney. 100 years after Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Quest sailed to Antarctica a ten strong team of Scouts and leaders were recreating the original ethos of the expedition by undertaking their own voyage to the frozen south. The ten participants have been undertaking research projects whilst in Antarctica. Findings will be presented in a range of engaging formats including photography, soundscapes, reports, artwork and interactive forums.
  • For more information about the ReQuest2021 expedition and the various research projects, please visit http://www.request2021.org.uk 
  • The ReQuest2021, Antarctic Research Project Team sailed on board Bark Europa tall ship from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula from 30th Dec 2021 to 20th January 2022.
  • Over the past four years the ten Scouts have undertaken fundraising activities including a rowing challenge, grand auction and online merchandise sales to raise £140,000 for the expedition.
  • Individual Projects: CLIMATE CHANGE (LUCY), PHYSIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENT (GENEVIEVE), 3D ICEBERG SIMULATION (GEORGE), COLLABORATIVE ARTWORK (DARCEY), OCEAN CURRENTS (SAM), ANTARCTIC SOUNDSCAPE (ALAN), MOTION SICKNESS STUDY (CATHY), PLASTIC POLUTION (HELEN), ELECTRICITY GENERATION (MATT), GEOMAGNETICALLY INDUCED CURRENTS (ALEX)
  • Expedition participant names and locations they are from: –
    • Alan Noake, Deal, Walmer, Sandwich & District Kent
    • Cathy Mummery, Weald District, Kent
    • Matt Wood, Malling District, Kent
    • Helen Smith, Gravesham District, Kent
    • Lucy Morgan, Sevenoaks District, Kent
    • Genevieve Scullion, Deal, Walmer, Sandwich & District, Kent
    • George Stonor, Faversham District, Kent
    • Darcey Holmes, Thanet District, Kent
    • Sam Payne, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
    • Alex Maciver, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland

About Scouts:

  • All genders, races and backgrounds are welcome at Scouts. Every week, it gives almost half a million people aged 6-25 the skills they need for school, college, university, the job interview, the important speech, the tricky challenge and the big dreams: the skills they need for life.   
  • Scouts helps members gain these skills by encouraging them to ask the big questions and listen with wide open minds. It helps them to take a deep breath and speak up, think on their feet, ignore the butterflies and go for it. With Scouts, young people don’t give up – they get back up and try again, often with the support of the friends they’ve made there.   
  • Our volunteers contribute more than 50 million hours of voluntary work each year to their local communities.   


Alan Noake

Assistant County Commissioner, Global Projects & Community Impact (Kent)

District Appointments Secretary (Deal, Walmer, Sandwich & District)
Mobile: 07525 633435
alan.noake@kentscouts.org.uk

Sam’s 2nd Argo Launch from Bark Europa

Finally got around to editing the video of Sam Payne’s second ARGO deployment from Bark Europa back on 16th January 2022.

There is quite a lot of background wind noise however it serves as a satisfactory record of the event.

You can track the second float here: https://fleetmonitoring.euro-argo.eu/float/6904093

There is also now a fantastic new educational resource available in the form of the Argo Online School: https://www.euro-argo.eu/argo-online-school/intro.html

ReQuest2021 Podcast Ep.32

EPISODE 32 – Tuesday 10th May 2022 – ANTARCTIC ISOLATION – PART 2

Got so much great content that I am editing that I am hoping to put out more than one episode a month now.


This episode is entitled ANTARCTIC ISOLATION – PART 2 and covers the 6th and 7th January while visiting the Antarctic Peninsula. It includes Deception Island, Krill Sampling and George Climbing the Mast. There is also the REQUEST interview with our fellow passenger – Paul van Hemert – from the Netherlands in the UK, who was also on White Watch with Genevieve, Darcey and I.

00:00 Theme Music – “Antarctica”

00:45 Welcome Message

01:39 6th January – Heading Up On Deck

04:32 Breaching Whales

05:20 With Axel En Route To Deception Island

06:10 More Whale Spotting En Route To Deception Island

10:59 Meal In Cabin One

14:30 Back Up On Deck – Deception Island

19:48 On Foredeck In The Afternoon – Deception Island

21:39 Abandoned Whaling Stations – Deception Island

24:58 Cabin One – Alex & Alan In The “Big Brother” Household

26:07 7th January – Morning Up On Deck / Nansen Net

37:10 On The Stern Of Europa / TASK Project – Krill Sampling

39:03 Team TASK Project – Krill Sampling

42:33 Afternoon Up On Deck

51:30 Motoring By Icebergs

52:22 Reflecting On The Icebergs

53:35 Review Of The Day

54:31 George Climbing The Mast

59:02 REQUEST interview with Paul van Hemert

1:08:33 Closing Message

1:09:08 Theme Music – “Antarctica”

1:09:53 Introduction To Bonus Material

1:10:07 Bonus Content – Whistling In Whaling Station Drums

1:10:38 END

JOIN-IN ANTARCTICA Session 1 – THE EXPEDITION

Here is the full recording of our JOIN-IN ANTARCTICA Session 1 – THE EXPEDITION – REQUEST2021 Project

Led by: Alan Noake #REQUEST2021

YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/0ft8ElqfgGc

PLEASE FEEL TO FORWARD AND SHARE FAR AND WIDE TO ANYONE YOU THINK MAY BE INTERESTED.

SOME USEFUL TIMINGS BELOW IN CASE YOU WANT TO USE SECTIONS AS A RESOURCE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.

YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/0ft8ElqfgGc

TIMINGS:

1) Intro music and project overview slide. [UNTIL 6 mins 30 secs]

2) Brief welcome from Alan. [From 6 mins 30 secs UNTIL 7 mins 0 secs]

3) Slideshow of Alan’s ice and wildlife photos. [From 7 mins 0 secs UNTIL 13 mins 13 secs]

4) REQUEST2021 – Expedition Presentation. [From 13 mins 13 secs UNTIL 1 hour 5 mins 21 secs]

5) Interval – Repeat of Slideshow of Alan’s ice and wildlife photos. [From 1 hour 5 mins 21 secs UNTIL 1 hour 11 mins 37 secs]

5) REQUEST2021 – Project Presentation. [From 1 hour 11 mins 37 secs UNTIL 2 hour 11 mins 55 secs

NOTES:

1) Missing Harberton pictures added to the edit.

2) All videos replaced with original speed to improve quality.

3) Archive video of Quest leaving London removed for copyright reasons but can be watched on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8r5jtV4vNRM

ReQuest2021 Podcast Ep.29

EPISODE 29 – Tuesday 1st March 2022 – NEW YEAR / AXEL

So, a big welcome to episode 29 of the REQUEST2021 podcast. It’s over a month now since the team returned from Antarctica and as the reality of the trip slowly begins to become a wonderful dream it is great to be editing the podcast to record some special memories for posterity.

The team and I are doing our best to get out and about now to share our experience with as many people as possible and the podcast is one way we can do this. So please help spread the word!

This episode is subtitled NEW YEAR / AXEL and covering New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day. There is also the first interview I did with one of our fellow passengers – Axel Friedrichs – a German businessman from Hanover. Although we were put on watch together, little did we know at the time that we would both later have to go into Covid isolation together for 10 days of the voyage when in Antarctica. Axel if you are listening, you now have another future answer for the Unexpected Truth question!

00:00 Theme Music – “Antarctica”

00:45 Welcome Message

02:18 Boarding Bark Europa

07:52 Genevieve Scullion’s Physiological Study

11:35 Setting Off From Ushuaia on New Year’s Eve

12:16 Review of News Year’s Eve Day On Board

13:24 Alan’s First Bout Of Sea Sickness

14:45 Interview With Fellow Passenger Axel Friedrichs

22:22 Closing Message.

22:57 Theme Music – “Antarctica”

23:43 END

ReQuest2021 Podcast Ep.28

EPISODE 28 – Tuesday 1st February 2022 – “GETTING GOING”

So, welcome to episode 28 of the REQUEST2021 podcast. I do hope you like our new theme music. Please let us know what you think.

Now that the team are back from Antarctica each of our individual projects are still ongoing and mine is to continue to produce a soundscape record of our project including this podcast.

I have over 300 sound files to process and edit for you so you can follow along with the key moments of the expedition itself and find out about some of our fellow passengers and crew on board the Bark Europa.

It really was an incredible life-changing voyage for all of us and it is our hope that we can now share some of the adventure by following up with photos, videos, project reports and this podcast.

This episode is subtitled “Getting Going” and covers the period between Christmas and New Year as the team made our way out to South America and prepared for the voyage.

00:00 Theme Music – “Antarctica”

00:41 Welcome Message

02:24 Alan’s Christmas Day Covid Test

03:32 Boxing Day – Picking Up Genevieve

04:46 Heathrow With The Team

06:10 Madrid Security. Boarding. Alex Singing.

08:58 Buenos Aries. Baggage Collection, Transfer to Domestic Airport.

16:02 Ushuaia Arrival. First View Of Bark Europa,

17:31 Lucy And Darcey – Projects Chat

27:00 Alan Packing Up Bags. Reflections.

29:39 Darcey – Watercolours. Cameos from Cathy & Lucy.

38.04 Team Meal – Thoughts Before The Voyage.

43:15 Walking From Hotel Albatros to Hotel Andino To Check-in For Bark Europa.

45:08 Alan – Final Thoughts Before Getting Going.

47:27 Closing Message.

48:10 Theme Music – “Antarctica”

48:47 END

SHACKLETON’S ADVENT CALENDAR

Every day between from the 1st December until Christmas Day the REQUEST2021 team will be publishing a different short video to answer lots of questions from Scouts all about the project. The team would like to thank all the members of 1st Deal Scout Group who took part in our #REQUEST2021 #SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR #ANTARCTICADAY Shackleton The Penguin’s Advent Calendar event.

REQUEST2021ADVENTCALENDAR – Day 01 – What is Alan’s Project?

REQUEST2021ADVENTCALENDAR – Day 02 – What is Lucy’s Project?

REQUEST2021ADVENTCALENDAR – Day 03 – What is Cathy’s Project?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 04 – What is Genevieve’s Project?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 05 – What is Darcey’s Project?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 06 – What is George’s Project?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 07 – What is Sam’s Project?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 08 – What is Helen’s Project?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 09 – What is Matt’s Project?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 10 – What is Alex’s Project?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 11 – What is the group’s Project?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 12 – What are the ten project objectives?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 13 – What seals might you see in Antarctica?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 14 – What penguins might you see?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 15 – What seabirds might you see?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 16 – What whales might you see in Antarctica?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 17 – Is the Drake passage dangerous?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 18 – What is the boat like?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 19 – What route will the boat take? Will you have WiFi? How can people track you?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 20 – How will you get to where the boat sails from?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 21 – What will you do on the voyage?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 22 – What clothing will you need to wear for Antarctica?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 23 – What other items will you need to pack to go to Antarctica?

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 24 – How are the team feeling? [2.5 MIN SHORT VERSION]

SHACKLETONSADVENTCALENDAR – Day 24 – How are the team feeling? [6 MIN EXTENDED VERSION]

ANTARCTIC RESEARCH PERMIT GRANTED!

FANTASTIC AT LAST!!! WE ARE NOW FINALLY OFFICIALLY ANTARCTIC RESEARCHERS! THE FOREIGN OFFICE HAVE APPROVED OUR KRILL LARVAE RESEARCH PROJECT AT THE 11th HOUR! ?

Dear Alan,


Please find attached Permit No. 16-2021-22 for the specialist scientific activities you are intending to conduct as part of the REQUEST2021 expedition in Antarctica this coming season.[…]We wish you and the team a safe and productive expedition.

Best wishes,

Tom
Tom Chance | Antarctic Policy Officer | Polar Regions Department

Microscope to be donated to Bark Europa

These videos show the Wild M5 Stereomicroscope – contents of the box, setting up, using the scope and closing comments.

This is the stereomicroscope the ReQuest2021 Project are donating to Bark Europa for use by their guests before, during and after the ReQuest2021 project team sail to Antarctica. The team will get to use it on board Europa.

VIDEO #1: Wild M5 Stereomicroscope – Overview of Contents
VIDEO #2: Wild M5 Stereomicroscope – Setting up the Microscope
VIDEO #3: Wild M5 Stereomicroscope – Using the Microscope
VIDEO #4: Wild M5 Stereomicroscope – CLOSING COMMENTS

ReQuest2021 Podcast Ep. 16

EPISODE 16 – Mon 1st Feb 2021  – An update on our fundraising efforts, the story of Alan the eleven-year-old Antarctic Krill and the ReQuest interview with Philippa Davies, who hosts the Canterbury-based annual Antarctica enthusiasts’ event – Cantarctica and is also the founder of the Betjeman Society.

Some follow up thoughts from Philippa received after recording for the podcast…

“For variety you are welcome to swap my ginger biscuits for mint imperials. I never have travelled without them and have a tin full in my car. My grandchildren call them magic mints.” 

“Another fascinating link is that Louisa Young, Kathleen Scott’s daughter by her second marriage is a goddaughter of Betjeman. So, Betjeman and Scott link.”

Philippa Davies with her wonderful scale model of Scott’s Discovery

The ReQuest2021 podcast is documenting the Kent Scouts #ReQuest2021 Research Project all the way to Antarctica and back again! Interviews, Scouting historical links, events and research project work recorded along the way. Part of Alan Noake’s Antarctic Soundscapes project.

Show Notes

Alan the eleven-year-old Antarctic Krill
https://humannatureprojects.org/blog/species-spotlight-antarctic-krill

The Curious Life of Krill by Stephen Nichol
https://islandpress.org/books/curious-life-krill

The Betjeman Society Website:
www.betjemansociety.com

“The Betjeman Society Scrapbook” by Philippa Davies
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Betjeman-Society-Scrapbook-1988-2008/dp/0955999715

Lots of Different Ways to Follow and Support The Project including our penguin badges, Antarctic Top Trumps and other merchandise…
www.fundraisingladder.co.uk/ReQuest2021