QUESTION:  

What do you have to do to prepare for a scientific expedition to 
Antarctica and how much time and money are involved during the 
preparation stages?

        Gene R. 8th Grader at John Morel Intermediate
        School, Brooklyn, NY
 

ANSWER from Janet Phillips, Area Manager, ASA, 
        Palmer Station, Antarctica 
 
Hello Gene,
Most scientists receive three year grants, so planning for the first 
trip is the hardest.  There are about nine months to plan before the 
first trip.  The scientists prepare the equipment, people, and plans 
for the trip while at the University.  There is a lot of paperwork to 
fill out for permits to do work in Antarctica, and to bring any plant 
or animal samples back from Antarctica.  The scientists also fill out 
a form called a Support Information Package request for the services 
they will need at Palmer Station.  So at the same time the graduate 
students are helping to plan what to pack from the university 
labs, the support group reviews to make sure there will be enough 
supplies like chemicals, flasks, computers, lumber, plexiglass, 
zodiac boats, jackets, radios, tents, and field food.  The funds to 
run the entire operation at Palmer Station and the ship, R/V POLAR 
DUKE, are about $20 Million per year, including the grants and 
support funds in both the planning and action stages.  This funding 
supports over 100 scientists per year and includes everything down to 
the last drop of fuel, or milk.