NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Jack Fishman and Jim Plant, a scientist working on ARCTAS, explain to Jason Fishman how ozone detectors work. This particular detector, located in the Science Directorate at NASA Langley Research Center, has been used several times to examine polar ozone depletion - a crucial component of IPY atmospheric research. Credit: NASA/Sean Smith

At the Polar Plunge in 2007, Jason Fishman became fast friends with a team of anchors and reporters from WTKR Channel 3 in Norfolk, Va. Jason is shown here with WTKR Plunge buddies: (from left to right) morning anchor Kurt Williams, reporter Stacy Davis, and evening anchor Pat McReynolds. Credit: Jack Fishman

This year celebrates the International Polar Year (IPY,) a time for researchers around the world to study and raise awareness for some of the most remote and untouched parts of our world — the poles. IPY has sparked interest in scientific research in a wide range of physical, biological and social research topics in the Arctic and Antarctic.

In the midst of this polar exploration excitement, two NASA Langley Research Center employees, Jack Fishman and his son Jason, are entering their seventh year on a special polar mission. It is not in space, the atmosphere, or even at one of Earth’s poles. It is in the frigid, February Atlantic Ocean for the annual Polar Plunge.

The Polar Plunge, a fundraiser for the Virginia Special Olympics, is part of Virginia Beach's Winter Fest that fills up the boardwalk with entertainment and more than 3,500 eager plungers. Many people raise money in teams, and last year participants raised more than $800,000. This year the goal was to raise a "cool million" to provide year-round training and sports programs for both children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout Virginia.

In the Science Directorate at Langley where Jack Fishman works, there is support for both the IPY and Polar Plunge missions. Several dozen employees are working on the Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites (ARCTAS) field campaign that will take place in the spring and summer of 2008 to learn more about the changes taking place in the arctic atmosphere. Many of these same employees know what Polar Plunge means to the Fishmans and have become active in the annual fundraiser.

Jason was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the development of intellectual, physical, social and sensory growth. Regardless of how Jason has been impacted, he has been an athlete in the Special Olympics for more than 10 years, competing in swimming, soccer and bowling. Jack coaches Jason’s swim team, which is comprised of special athletes from all over the Hampton Roads area. The team trains every Saturday from January through June, and competes in meets as far away as Raleigh, N.C.

Aside from his involvement with sports, Jason is also passionate about his job as a dishwasher at the NASA Langley Cafeteria. As Jason excitedly talks about his coworkers, Jack mentions Jason’s newfound love for the camera.Last year during the Polar Plunge, Jason grabbed the attention of Stacy Davis, a reporter at WTKR-TV, Channel 3 in Norfolk, Va. The news channel is a sponsor for the event, and Davis was paired up with Jason to do the plunge.

"He helped make it one of the most memorable days I've ever had," says Davis, who will be plunging again with him this year.

For Polar Plunge 2008, Jason and his sister Melissa, who was the first to plunge in 2000, suited up in bumblebee costumes and joined the York County Special Olympics team on February 2 to jump into the chilly Atlantic Ocean.

"We dress up every year. You should see the costumes some people come up with," says Jack. The event is known for it’s enthusiastic, and sometimes out of the ordinary, display of support.

Jennifer Collings
NASA Langley Research Center