Antarctic Tourism

This piece in 'The Guardian' by Peter Hannam is well worth reading by Year 8.

We have been exploring the impact of tourism in Antarctica and this provides some useful perspective on this issue, and also some excellent images to show the juxtaposition of the landscape and the visual impact of cruise ships and tourists with their high visibility clothing.

South Pole Marker

The location of the South Pole is marked by an official marker which stays in place for a year. During that time, the ice on which the marker is placed moves around 10metres as the ice it sits on moves.

2021 South Pole marker details: top hemisphere is aluminum for 6 months of night/twilight, with selected Southern Hemisphere constellations; the bottom, brass for 6 months of day. The rising/setting Sun of the Equinox is inspired by compass rose of 2020 marker; pic @SPTelescope pic.twitter.com/6InGuT9QbD

— The Antarctic Report (@AntarcticReport) January 2, 2021

Antarctica Day - flag design competition

This is on the 1st of December each year.

Each year, the UK Polar Network has a competition.

On December 1st 1959, 12 nations signed the Antarctic Treaty, a document declaring that Antarctica would be off limits to military activity and setting it aside as a place for peace and scientific discoveries. Since 2010, December 1st has been celebrated each year to mark this milestone of peace and to inspire future decisions. We hope to extend the celebrations worldwide through our Antarctic Flags initiative, giving new generations the opportunity to learn about the Antarctic Treaty and to share, interpret and cherish the values associated with Antarctica.

Register by October 31st to take part, and send your flag to a scientist in Antarctica.

TED Ed - the Race to the South Pole

There's an associated lesson plan here.

This came just too late for my Polar unit.

Take the Wilderness Challenge

Year 8, don't forget to let the penguin quizmaster introduce you to Antarctica. Take the Wilderness Challenge.

Scott and Amundsen

It's just past the anniversary of the arrival of Scott and Amundsen and their men in the Antarctic ahead of their attempt on the South Pole. Amundsen had a change of plans, after he heard that Robert Peary had reached the North Pole (his original target).

We will be exploring the journey of the two expeditions after half term in Year 8... 
Consider how the different routes the expeditions chose influenced their success (or failure)

Prince Harry reaches the South Pole

We talked earlier in the term about the story of Prince Harry, who was heading for the South Pole.
He made it!

As always, there are other Antarctica stories too...
The rate of melting ice in West Antarctica is speeding up according to new satellite data...
And one on the OZONE HOLE: one of the things that scientists working in Antarctica spend time researching.

In the Lent term, we will be following another expedition: the Pole of Cold team... Watch out for the new display in N2