A Make-a-Wish tour of the Geophysical Institute

The Geophysical Institute Education Outreach team welcomed Joel, a 20-year-old from North Carolina, and his parents for a tour thanks to the Make-a-Wish Foundation on Monday, March 7. Make-A-Wish grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses and creates a memorable experience for both the child and their family. Joel and his parents visited several GI departments in the Elvey and Akasofu buildings.

Joel, whose family gave permission to share their story, had dreamed of witnessing the northern lights since first seeing them in National Geographic magazine and hearing tales from a close family friend years before. After being granted a wish from Make-a-Wish in 2019, it was an easy decision for Joel to request a trip to Alaska to see the aurora. The COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on their plans, but they were finally able visit Alaska this month.

Joel's interest in atmospheric and space science paid off; he witnessed the northern lights on his first night in Alaska and made some amazing videos and photos. Poker Flat Research Range Chief Scientist Don Hampton and Joel discussed the aurora and the scientific research occurring at Poker Flat. NASA's Black Brant IX sounding rocket for the LAMP experiment to measure pulsating auroras — the most energetic — was launched the same night Joel was able to see the northern lights.

The GI’s Education Outreach team would like to thank all the researchers for their time, their pleasure in sharing their research and for the gifts to Joel.

The family visited the Wilson Alaska Technical Center, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Alaska Earthquake Center and Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration, the Engineering Learning and Innovation Facility and the International Arctic Research Center.

The discussions and scientific exchanges were rich, and Joel even had a private visit to the roof of the Elvey Building to see the instruments installed there.

Thanks to Executive Chef Tyler Newell and Sous Chef Cavan Bosworth of the Chartwells Catering team, Joel and his parents received a courtesy meal that included all of Joel's favorite foods: Alaska king salmon, Yukon gold potatoes, asparagus and other delicacies.

We wish Joel and his family a lot of courage and send all our support for the future steps in Joel's recovery.

A note from Joel's parents:

“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Geophysical Institute for such an inspirational, educational and fun tour of your facilities. We appreciate the passion which each team presented when sharing their purpose, goals and history of their department. Marine did an amazing job at organizing such a wonderful tour for us! Joel was very inspired by all of the kindness shown to him from each and every person he met, from the moment he arrived to his departure where he hugged everyone. This was truly a visit of a lifetime with many memories!

“Bless you all for the part you played in bringing joy to all of us!”

For more information about Joel’s visit, contact Marine Vanlandeghem-Gillespie at mcvanlandeghem@alaska.edu