Twenty-five-year-old Rachell "Chelly" Johnson of Columbus will soon be getting a huge break from the heat of Georgia while experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity. That's because the 2016 永利博彩 biology graduate and current computer networking specialist student will be heading to the 小君eau Icefields for eight weeks as part of an in-depth, on-site environmental study experience. The intensive environmental study course runs 小君e 24 – August 20 and is co-offered by the University of Alaska-Southeast and the 小君eau Icefield Research Program (JIRP).

切莉·约翰逊是仅有的24名被该项目录取的学生之一，也是唯一来自美国东南部的学生。 估计有60名学生申请。 约翰逊说，对她这一代人来说，在保护和维护我们的环境方面发挥更积极的作用至关重要。

"I saw an immediate concern-especially with the glaciers melting at such a rapid rate," Johnson said. "I want to do my part to help; I enjoy environmental studies and am a true scientist at heart."

永利博彩 student Chelly Johnson poses with her backpack and some of the equipment she'll take with her on her 8-week course in the 小君eau Icefields.

另一个与切莉·约翰逊密切相关的环境问题是河流和水道的健康。 她最近与查塔胡奇河守护者一起工作，担任流域保护专家。

Johnson’s mentor and driving force to apply and prepare for this life-changing learning adventure is the chair of 永利博彩's science division, Alicia Anderson.

Anderson learned of the JIRP from several professional organizations and through the organization's recruitment material. 安德森知道约翰逊对环境的热情，也认识到她的个人动力，她认为切莉会是这次经历的最佳人选。

"When I got the information packet in the mail, I immediately thought of Chelly. I took a picture of it and sent it to her," Anderson said. "Chelly will be going head-to-head with students from Ivy League schools like Yale and Harvard and even students from colleges in the United Kingdom. I have complete faith that she will learn a great deal and use her new-found knowledge to educate others about protecting our precious resources."

2016年JIRP班的学生收集和分析数据。 来源:JIRP

The Earth System Field Science syllabus describes the course as "an upper-division Earth system science course with an emphasis on field science, concepts in glaciology, and the integrated systems of the northern Coast Mountains. Students will conduct original research and learn safe expeditionary practices while traversing the extreme environment of the 小君eau Icefield." 冰原的陆地面积很大； 它包括不列颠哥伦比亚和阿拉斯加的部分地区。 参与的学生将生活在自然环境中，收集数据并进行研究。 核心主题包括冰川质量平衡、GPS测量、卫星遥感、气候学、基岩地质学、冰川旅行/裂缝救援、气象学等。 除了心理上和学术上的准备，这门课程还需要很强的身体素质。 为了准备穿越冻原，约翰逊一直在跑步，在松山徒步旅行，参加新兵训练营课程。

2016年度JIRP学生。 来源:JIRP

如果你想帮助切莉支付这门课程的一些费用，请致电永利博彩基金会706-649-1199或706-649-1015。 For more information on the JIRP itself, visit the 小君eau Icefield Research Program's 的网站。