Program Application

Educator applications for the 2026/27 season are closed. 

• Educator applications for 2027/28 will open in late spring of 2026.  Join our email list to be notified when applications are open and follow us on social media @polarsteamteam for updates.  
• We work with the following types of educators:
  • Educators across all subject areas. 
  • Informal educators who can incorporate polar science education into their work.
  • Faculty from community colleges and Primarily Undergraduate Serving Institutions (PUI). 
  • 6-12 grade classroom educators.  
  • Educators must be currently working with a defined group of learners to be eligible.  
• Virtual and field collaborations are available.  
• Before you apply, please read the FAQs.  
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend our information session (June 2026) or watch the recording. You can view last year’s recording on our YouTube channel. 
• Please reach out to polarsteam@oregonstate.edu with questions. 

Key information:

• Polar STEAM is a partner in your broader impacts work and facilitates collaborations between educators, artists, & writers and polar researchers. Virtual and field collaborations are available.
• We are currently recruiting researchers for the following polar seasons:
  • Arctic field research, boreal summer 2027  
  • Antarctic field research, austral summer 2026/27
  • Virtual collaborations, Arctic and Antarctic, 2027
• We are also interested in talking with researchers who are submitting NSF proposals for future work and are interested in collaborating with Polar STEAM.
• Polar STEAM welcomes applications from NSF-funded polar researchers across a wide spectrum of research disciplines including social sciences.
• Designate one researcher on the team as the primary point of contact with Polar STEAM. We work with PIs and other members of the research team, including graduate students. 
• Here is what you can expect from a Polar STEAM Collaboration:
  • No cost for you to participate – We cover educator travel, stipends, and gear. 
  • Field support – Educators are expected to be fully engaged team members. 
  • Community – Join a cohort of 15–20 polar researchers for networking and mentorship. 
  • Broader impacts – We can offer guidance to report and build on your experience for future NSF proposals. 
  • Visibility – We help share your research with new audiences through educator and artist collaborations. 
• Watch our 8 minute Researcher Information video
• Read the FAQs for more information
• Researchers can request a meeting with the team via Zoom or send questions by email to polarsteam@oregonstate.edu.
• To stay connected and receive updates about future opportunities, join our email list and follow us on social media @polarsteamteam.

Artist and writer applications for the 2026/27 season are closed. 

• Key information:
  • Polar STEAM welcomes applications from working artists, writers, and creative practitioners in a variety of genres, from traditional to experimental.
  • Artist and writer deployments typically occur during the Antarctic summer season, October through February, with a possible option for early season (August through September). Most deployments are 4-8 weeks in length.
  • Please read the FAQs for additional information.
  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to watch the recording of the informational webinar on our YouTube channel.
  • If you have program-specific questions, please email polarsteam@oregonstate.edu.
  • To stay connected and receive updates about future opportunities, join our email list and follow us on social media @polarsteamteam.