After 18 days in the cold land of Antarctica, the prompt arrival at the airport must have been the best warm homecoming. There were four members of the Antarctica expedition who had returned home to a hero's reception after almost three weeks at the foot of the Earth. For this reason, it was exceptional and emotional event and deserves a record in history.

Terrible weather condition restricted the Antarctica's scientific quest for about 10 more days than anticipated, therefore, as the arrival day finally came, the welcome party was arranged immediately. An hour before the plane had arrived, immediate members of the family and peers sat on the black plastic airport chairs watching closely at the large windows on the landing field and glancing at their watches. Down the hallway, there were 25 students gathered with teachers and parents, nibbling turkey sandwiches and were about to pamper their teacher with hugs.

Troops brought a lot of heart structured balloons, a bundle of roses and a pile of handcrafted welcome signs bearing images of penguins. Four members of the expedition carry two handbags of meteorites which will later be taken photographs, cut open and experimented and talks about their tales of a mission accomplished. The quest also compromised two retired NASA astronauts, a scientist from NASA and a resident of Chicago who contributed significantly in funding part of the expedition. The quest directed the group to the Patriot Hills of Antarctica, South Pole and Thiel Mountains not so high as the Rockies, but just as attractive.

Upon returning to the States, there was a complaint made about what kind of technology was brought along. He found the satellite phones to be no good. What they remember from these is what they left behind. In no time he will be able to return to being a professor of astronomy and geology in a populated continent.

It was not long ago when these people embarked on a similar trip to an unfamiliar territory. Two of them went to Turkey last summer together with a scientific team viewing the solar eclipse from the coast of the Black Sea. They had an unexpectedly prolonged stay in Antarctica and while over there the same thing actually happened. After the eclipse they still could not leave because of a very strong earthquake that occurred at the time. Around 5.5 was the magnitude of the earthquake that they felt because they were 200 miles away from its epicenter.

Camaraderie on the trip was what he considered to be the best part of the trip and he also said that there was less stress with images of blue fields and snow covered scenery. He said that the group of explorers, including a retired NASA scientist, was a rather exclusive club. Not only were they easy to talk to but they were actually down to earth. There were no egos involved, just a lot of fun. Aside from snowmobiling, what they did in Antarctica even during their unexpected stay was read, cross country ski, and talk.

One month ago, the 24 year old team member modeled for reporters and staff members what she planned to wear on her scientific excursion, boots, goggles, heavy gloves and an energetic smile. Other than her cheerful smile she also wore jeans, a sweatshirt, and sneakers back home. Incorporating space science in her classes made her one of the chosen few for this Mars like continent. Students had an incredible opportunity as well. When things are tied in then learning happens. One teacher who is an explorer at the same time exposes the kids to science and history.

On this trip, she experimented on gravity, temperature, and rocks, same as what was being done by students back home. Used to transmit the information to 11 classrooms were satellite phone and email as well. Not only the questions raised but also the answers given were hilarious. It was the variety in the answers that led to amusement. When it comes to the knowledge she is able to provide the students with, it is that results can change when the setting is a snowy desert with almost freezing temperatures.