This is an excellent book which provides a range of interesting perspectives on the people who work in the continent, as well as changes that are taking place.
There's plenty of science, along with an excellent historical timeline of the continent, and a glossary of key terms including some of the slang terms used by the scientists who over-winter at the South Pole base.
I shall also be making use of some of the activities from the rather wonderful RGS-IBG Discovering Antarctica site. I wrote the curriculum links section for this website some time ago, when still teaching.
One possible focus for student enquiries and writing could be the current discussions which are taking place to determine whether the oceans around Antarctica will be declared as marine sanctuaries. This would connect with many of the relevant themes, and also explore some of the ideas relating to seas and oceans which are now mentioned in the new draft curriculum document.
For those who may not be aware, there's a sister-site called Discovering the Arctic which is also available. There are less interactive elements here perhaps, but there's plenty of useful material. I had a hand in this too: writing the section on SWIPA - a report on the changing nature of permafrost and ice in the Arctic regions. There are some new geographies emerging here, and we shall try to offer opportunities to explore those in more detail.
When the temperature is soaring outside it's nice to read about something as cold as ice...
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