We believe that our outreach efforts have been excellent. Our group has been involved in educational outreach of all types. These include hosting three secondary science teachers (1993-94, Mr. Jim Schulz from Bozeman, MT; 1996-97, Ms. Barb Schutz from Seattle, Washington; 1997-98, Mr. Paul Jones from Montezuma, IA). This activity was supported through NSF's Teachers Experience in Antarctica Program. One high school student in NSF's High School Student Experience in Antarctica was also hosted. Numerous talks and presentations were given, and letters/e-mail from various elementary, middle and high schools were answered by the PIs. Two minority high school students, supported by the American Chemical Society's SEED program supplemented by MCM-LTER funds, worked in Dr. Lyons' laboratory the past three summers analyzing Antarctic samples.

In addition to these activities, a number of the PIs participated in LIVE FROM ANTARCTICA!, a PBS production that was produced in Antarctica during our field season of 1994. Presentations were given to a number of civic organizations (e.g. Senior Citizen's organization by Wall, Boy Scouts by Moorhead, Rotary Club by Lyons, McKnight participated in a USGS Open House for the public, and Fountain lectured at a lay geology club). REU students have been supervised by MCM PIs during the last four years of the grant. A number of MCM's female scientists were featured in a recent book for teenagers by Rebecca L. Johnson entitled, Braving the Frozen Frontier (Lerner Publications, 1997).

Because of our unique location, our site is visited by both media and important political figures every austral summer. For example, as we prepare this proposal, Ms. Cory Dean, science editor of the New York Times is writing an article, based on her recent visit, on the ecology of MCM (scheduled publication, 3 February, 1998). This past season alone (1997-98) our site hosted a reporter from Science, four members of the National Science Board, a reporter and photographer from the Rocky Mountain News (Denver newspaper), four members of House Science Committee, including Representative Boehlert (R-NY), a reporter from Newsweek, D. J. Baker, the NOAA Administrator and six Senators from the Appropriations Committee including Senator Stevens (R-AK). This activity is typical, and a complete account ranges between 30-40 dignitaries and reporters per field season visiting our site. In our presentations to these visitors, we emphasize the importance of LTER research and the position of the MCM-LTER within the framework of the other LTER sites.