Brookings, S.D. (KELO AM) - Nine South Dakota State University students recently returned from a 14-day trek from the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge to the Churchill (Manitoba) Northern Studies Centre. The adventure was for the course, "Arctic Biosystems and Culture."
The students, whose majors ranged from ecology to advertising, spent their time experiencing the area's wildlife, nature, research and culture. In addition to seeing polar bears and beluga whales in their natural habitat, the students toured Fort Prince of Whales."Being an ecologist in training, you generally deal with a single biome to analyze the biotic and abiotic features," said senior Austin Hanson, who hails from Brandon.
"However, within one week, we were able to experience and analyze three different biomes."According to pre-health professional adviser Greg Heiberger, who was also on the trip, the class is open to all students. "Even though I wasn't necessarily the target audience for this course, with a bit of focus I was able to study and learn about the social, cultural, economic characteristics of Canada, and how those shifted as we approached the far north," said senior political science and economics major Bryce Kummer. Kummer is from Sioux Falls.For more information on the trip and to see numerous pictures, visit:https://www.facebook.com/SDstateArctic14.