Recently, senior-level physics students joined thousands of scientists from over 60 nations to examine a wide range of physical, biological, and social research topics as part of the International Polar Year (IPY). Through a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded research project, these students applied physics concepts to the study of Arctic sea ice. They participated in an authentic proposal writing contest focused on dramatic changes observed in the Arctic environment and developed a research question to examine why these changes are occurring. This article describes their participation in this exciting hands-on project. (Contains 4 figures.)