The Palmer Station Antarctic Marine LTER (Long-Term Ecological Research) project provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduate participation in research. All research within the antarctic marine LTER relates to a central hypothesis: that interannual variation in the extent of pack ice affects all levels in the food web, from phytoplankton to apex predators. The LTER and the Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs have several common objectives which are achieved by undergraduates participating in research activities. These objectives include: enhancing undergraduate education, attracting students to marine science, and training the next generation of scientists. Undergraduates with an interest in marine sciences will have the opportunity to experience many aspects of an interdisciplinary project which involves current and evolving techniques. They will participate both in the field seasons in Antarctica, and in the laboratory work in universities in the United States. Areas of research available to REU students who participate in the Palmer antarctic marine LTER include: remote sensing; hydrographic and optical characteristics of the water column; phytoplankton physiology and production; distribution and recruitment of zooplankton and nekton; and analysis of zooplankton and nekton collected by seabirds. During this experience we expect students to move from a broad overview and dependent status to narrower focus and independent projects with their REU advisors.
