Retreat 2018 to Helgoland

Activities :
-  The retreat started with the science communication workshop. The two lecturers, Dr. Julia Gantenberg and Isabel Harder, reviewed the history of science communication and outlined the main strategies for successful face-to-face and on-line outreach. The workshop ended with a practical exercise which gave the participants the opportunity to write a blog post or to perform a small "elevator" presentation about their projects. This session was particularly useful since the ArcTrain students are already writing on a blog.
- Directed by Dr. Martin Losch, the students were asked to examine the status of their projects after one year and an half in their PhD. The participants were divided in small groups of 3 people and shared their experiences talking also about how to keep stay focused and how to better manage their tasks.
- The PhD students had then a time to talk and take decision on how they want to organize themselves. Valentin leaving the representatives, the group elected two new representatives, Lina and Jens. Damien joined the blog group. The group also decided to create a Twitter and an Instagram account to practice more Scientific outreach.
- The retreat ended with a workshop on the history of the Arctic Exploration. Prof. Dr. Jörn Thiede and Reinhard Krause joined the group and reviewed the amazing stories of pioneers and adventurers and their expeditions to the Arctic. This was a great interactive exchange involving student presentations, about the different expeditions of the first International Polar Year (1882-1883).

Funding: ArcTrain funded the travel, accommodation and food. The group used the facilities of the AWI for accommodation and workspace, and the meals were taken at the Youth Hostel.

Damien Ringeisen