Citizen Science for the planet
Gathering explorers, scientists and communicators for research expeditions in extreme environments. Nuturing and educating the next generation to preserve the wonders of our planet.
Discover our expeditions
Learn with us
Views from our expedition circumnavigating Svalbard
Cosmic Muon tracks detected
Nautical miles of Arctic Ocean Explored
Our mission
Polarquest is an international team of professional researchers, communicators and explorers with a commitment to the environment, research and education! Through our citizen science expeditions, we’ve given new insights into some of the greatest enigmas of science: from microplastic pollution to the origin of high energy cosmic rays.
In addition, we are passionate about communication and education – sharing the impact of human pollution as well as the magic of our planet’s extraordinary natural phenomena.
Our record-breaking results
our Expeditions
Citizen science from the Arctic to the Amazon.
Arizona 2 Alaska
A motorbike expedition to the arctic circle
NANUQ2020
Scientific survey of the coasts of eastern Greenland.
Polarquest 2021
Arctic research expedition of the Svalbard Archipelago.
POLARQUEST 2018
Circumnavigating Svalbard in our record-breaking mission.
Polarquest 2021: Save the White
Polarquest2021: Save the White was an Arctic research expedition to the Svalbard Archipelago carried out on board the record-breaking Best Explorer. Polarquest Association partnered with Arctic Sail Expeditions-Italia for the organization of this expedition.
The expedition explored the impact of human activity on the archipelago: sampling the driftwood and plastic we leave behind, and monitoring impact of climate change on biodiversity through eDNA sampling.
Polarquest2021 crossed the 80th parallel North, into uncharted waters in the Northeast of the Svalbard archipelago. The team carried out first-of-a-kind mapping by air and sea, giving testimony to the state of the Arctic environment in the northernmost regions of Svalbard.
Scientific Accomplishments
Latest News
Tracking Marine Debris in Alaska
Polarquest’s Paola Catapano shares her experience using citizen science technology to track marine debris in the remote Chilkat inlet of Alaska.
Citizen Science in Action in California
On the road from Arizona2Alaska, the Polarquest team meet with Friends of the Dunes to learn about invasive species on the California coast.
Book tour for 80th Parallel!
Polarquest lead Paola Catapano embarks on book tour for “Ottantesimo Parellelo” (80th Parallel) in Italy and Switzerland!
as seen on tv
Polarquest’s 2018 expedition to Svalbard is the subject of two award-winning documentaries. The films follow the Polarquest team during the record-breaking circumnavigation of the Svalbarb archipelago, carrying out scientific research and paying tribute to the lost Airship ITALIA.
Nanuq: an arctic journey from past to future (2020)
Produced by Guia Invernizzi Cuminetti for Addictive Ideas
Director: Emanuele Licitra, Co-director: Paola Catapano
Polarquest (2018)
Produced by FLAIR PRODUCTION and Ushuaïa TV
Directed by Dorothée Adam Mazard and Alwin Courcy
“I have got the Arctic lure and will certainly go North again.”
―
Louise Arner Boyd
Our Partners & Sponsors
