About this Event
What does it take to live and work on the coldest, driest and windiest continent on Earth?
This presentation explores the human side of Antarctic expeditions and the extraordinary science they enable. While Antarctica is often seen as a place of breathtaking icebergs and penguins, it is also one of the world's most important natural laboratories—where the science conducted today helps answer some of humanity's biggest questions about our changing planet.
Over four seasons and two years working South for the Australian Antarctic Program, Jay lived and worked across the 3 Australian stations as an Electrical Technician, supporting the infrastructure that makes Antarctic science possible.
From flying by helicopter to remote work sites and being a part of the 9-person traverse team driving across the continent in tractors at -65°C in search of the world's oldest ice, to counting penguins, sharing meals with a small international community, and experiencing months of isolation, life in Antarctica is unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Along the way, we'll explore questions such as:
• What does everyday life actually look like at an Antarctic research station
• How do small communities thrive in one of the world's harshest environments?
• What are some of the science projects being done that impacts the rest of the world?
• Why is Antarctica one of the most important places on Earth for understanding climate change?
• And what can Antarctica teach us about resilience, teamwork and the future of our planet?
• How does the coldest place on Earth possibly hold the answers to our hottest questions?
Jay Burgers is an electrician, expeditioner, bilingual tour guide and public speaker who has spent more than two years living and working in Antarctica with the Australian Antarctic Program. Working across Casey, Davis, and Mawson research stations, he supported critical scientific operations and selected to be a part of the 9-person Million Year Ice Core deep field traverse project, one of Antarctica's most ambitious climate research projects to drill for the oldest ice core in the world.
Jay’s duties have included being a Field Trip Leader, Traverse Tractor Driver, Search and Rescue Team, Zodiac driver leading teams safely in one of the world's most extreme environments.
Through his presentations, he shares firsthand stories of Antarctic life, exploration, and the science helping us better understand our changing planet.
Event venue & nearby stays
Prehistoria Museum, 1106 Queen St West, Toronto, Canada
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