I have been lucky enough to be selected as GSCs representative to join the Arctic Prize Project, where scientists will be looking at Arctic Productivity in the Seasonal Ice Zone. Now, clearly I’ve ripped that last part from their website and I am fully aware that I’m a PhD short off qualifying for this trip on merit.

However, I will be taking a selection of cameras to document and record the trip on behalf of GSC. I’ve managed to convince Instapro 360 to loan me their 8k resolution 360 camera for the trip, which is the highest resolution VR camera on the market.

I’ll be looking to film Arctic VR experiences to display online and using our Oculus Rift headset for visitors. I will also be taking that content and making it available for the planetarium. Hopefully I will be able to get some environment, some stargazing, some wildlife footage and if I’m lucky some northern lights content that works well in the dome.

I have been busy the last few weeks sorting out travel, cold weather gear and the camera equipment and in the week before I leave I’ll get my Sea Survival Training at Clyde Marine in Glasgow.

On Sunday 22^nd I fly to Tromso in Norway, the day before I join the crew and science team from SAMS (Scottish Association of Marine Science) and partners from the Arctic University of Norway aboard the RV Helmer Hannson. From there, we head North into the arctic circle, getting within around 650 miles of the North Pole, before eventually landing at Longyearbyen in Svalbard around the 6^th of May.

As of writing, I’m 11 days out from it and I still can’t quite get my head around the trip. I’m fully aware and grateful to what a unique opportunity this and can’t wait to get going.

Craig, who are you?

I’m one of the Technical Managers at Glasgow Science Centre. I run a team of technicians that are involved in the running of GSCs day to day Audio Visual and IT systems. I also get involved with GSCs major exhibitions, advising and contributing to interactive technology ideas to projects like Bodyworks, Powering the Future and MyWowLive. I was also project manager on the full dome digital upgrade to our Planetarium, a must see state of the art immersive experience at GSC and the my most recommended must do activity when visiting.

So while the FOH and Science Teams are delivering a 5 star experience across the centre for our visitors, we’re stuck in the basement, without any windows, making sure GSCs systems run smoothly across the day, but for the most part, drinking tea and looking at the internet.