Lake Ice and 
Snow Science 

Ron Reihl

8th Grade Physical Science Teacher,
Tanana Middle School, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
(Retired May, 2004)

As a child growing up near La Crosse, Wisconsin, I enjoyed roaming the wooded hills and exploring the backwaters along the Mississippi River. That was the place I first developed my fascination with the natural world and the things that happen in it. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse which prepared me to teach secondary science. Immediately upon graduation, I sought out both adventure and employment in what then seemed quite distant Alaska.

After four enjoyable and formative years teaching junior high science in the rural community of Delta Junction, I left Alaska and traveled to Mill Valley, California where I worked on graduate studies in theology. The contrast between science and theology proved very intriguing and presented few conflicts in thought. As recognized by great scientists such as Newton, Kepler, and Einstein, science and theology are distinct ways of knowing, but intellect accommodates both. I received a Master of Divinity degree in 1982 from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. Shortly thereafter I returned to Alaska, this time to Fairbanks where I resumed teaching Physical Science at the middle school level.

I have taught Physical Science now for more than twenty three years, but I still look for new ways to focus the natural curiosity and energy of middle level students on science. That is why I became involved in the development of ALISON. In the fall of 2000, I first met with Martin Jeffries, Research Professor of Geophysics, and Assistant Professor of Education, Delena Norris-Tull, both working at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Initially we talked most about how science teachers could experience professional development by participating in snow and ice research. However, as I personally took part in snow and ice research I also started planning how I could involve my students in these same kinds of research activities.

Through ALISON, I have continued to expand my own science research skills and helped facilitate teacher-as-researcher professional development. At the same time I have been able to explore and develop ways snow and ice research activities can be transferred to the classroom and then adapted for student participation. This winter, 2001-02, a school district grant will allow me to collaborate with science teachers from two other middle schools on snow and ice activities we want to conduct with our students. Each teacher will be able to take students to field study sites to make snow temperature measurements using remote sensing technology (CBLs and digital thermometers) and snow density measurement using sampling tubes and electronic balances. The measurements will contribute to the ALISON data set.

See his 8th grade class' 2002 visit to Aurora Pond in Fairbanks and their 2003 project.