Since the Polar Educators International network formed during International Polar Year 2012, we have been supporting educators’ professional development and sharing polar education learning resources across our community, raising awareness of environmental issues and the importance of our polar regions in both formal and informal settings around the world.
Capturing the energy and enthusiasm about collaborating on polar education and outreach during the International Polar Year, the learning activities Polar Science and Global Climate: An International Resource for Education and Outreach were co-developed by an international group of educators, polar scientists and community members for a wide audience back in 2010. Read More
Inspired by the original publication and working in partnership with the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), we have begun developing, revising, updating and exploring polar education resources suitable for a range of ages and settings from the classroom into the community and beyond. It has never been more urgent for a generation of learners to understand the critical role the polar regions play in driving global climate and for polar scientists to help us all understand the impact of climate change on our biosphere.
We have grouped these resources under the six themes: Oceans, Land, Ice, Atmosphere, People, Space. All resources are tried and tested for an international audience, and can be used either as standalone activities or as part of a series focusing on the polar regions.
We hope that polar educators around the world will be inspired to use these resources to help bring the polar research alive for learners everywhere.
Lesson at a Glance:
Connect
Provides the polar research context, discussion prompts and a guide to help connect research concepts and approaches to the learning activity. Some activities also include personal accounts and observations from the polar regions.
Learn
Provides all the information you need to prepare for and carry out the activity, including a materials list, lesson planning, step by step instructions, teaching tips and additional resources such as visuals, apps and links.
Act
Provides ideas for positive action, taking the learning out into the community through communication and public engagement projects, creativity and careers tips. We hope these ideas will inspire you and your learners to communicate your own experiences of polar science to your wider communities.
Polar Research Theme: Ocean
Key Words: Arctic, ocean circulation, microplastics, plastics, pollution, riparian
Description: This group activity is inspired by an Arctic researcher who studies the distribution and toxicity of marine plastics, now found in oceans around the world. It connects sources of local littering to widespread plastic pollution carried to the Arctic Read More
Duration: 6 – 8 hours
Suitable For: School (Ages 12-16), General Public
Year: 2023
Explore Activity
Polar Research Theme: Ice, land, people
Key Words: geology, weather, journal, storytelling, drawing, history
Description: These bus activities developed for participants in the PEI Iceland Workshop can be used in two ways.
Type: İnformal learning activity, Field/outside activity
Duration: Flexible
Suitable For: School (Ages 9-11), School (Ages 12-16), Youth (Ages 16-25), General Public
Year: 2022
Polar Research Theme: Oceans, Ice, Land, People, Atmosphere
Key Words: Arctic, polar activities, science, STEAM
Description: Dr. Agata Gozdzik presented a it of 5 polar activities from POLAR STAR Project. They are available online, but her presentation is not. Activities include: Read More
Type: School lesson, Informal learning activity, Interactive Media
Suitable For: School (Ages 12-16), Youth (Ages 16-25), Graduate/Professional, General Public
Year: 2021
Learn More
Polar Research Theme: Ice, Land
Key Words: Climate change, climate disruptions, ice-sheets, glacial retreat, graphing, analyzing data
Description: Virtual Field Labs can be used synchronously, asynchronously or in hybrid classrooms and have been field tested in high school and college classes. Read More
Type: School lesson, Video, Interactive Media
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Suitable For: School (Ages 12-16), Youth (Ages 16-25), Graduate/Professional
Watch Video
Polar Research Theme: Ice, Land, People
Key Words: Antarctica Day, Antarctic Treaty, South pole
Description: In celebration of Antarctica Day Bethan Davies and Laura Boyall are presenting Antarctica Story Maps that both are working on together. Four story maps are available and aligned to the UK school curriculum Read More
Type: Video, School lesson, İnformal learning activity, Interactive Media
Duration: 30 – 60 minutes
Suitable For: School (Ages 9-11), School (Ages 12-16), (Ages 16-25), Graduate/Professional, General Public
Polar Research Theme: Oceans, Ice, Land, Atmosphere
Key Words: Arctic, interactive, careers, research
Description: An overview of the INTAROS Toolkit through Golabz and how to use it with students. The toolkit activities combine information on the Arctic Read More
Type: Video
Polar Research Theme: Oceans, Ice, Land, People
Key Words: Arctic, education, Germany, permafrost, ocean acidification, citizen science
Description: German researchers, and educators present classroom projects, citizen science opportunities, an introduction to APECS Germany, and an intro to Arctic rights. Read More
Suitable For: Graduate/Professional, School (Ages 12-16)
Polar Research Theme: Ice, Oceans, Land, People, Atmosphere
Key Words: Outreach and education, books, videos, games, simulation
Description: A Brazilian scientist suggests how teachers can discuss geography themes and Polar Region in classroom. Read More
Japanese institution ARCS II presents Secrets of the Arctic, a book for children explaining basic information about the Arctic, such as, animals, plants, people, problems.
A Brazilian scientist presents a program which offers materials for teachers and students: videogames, books, videos, podcasts.
Type: Video, Scientific presentation
Suitable For: School (Ages 9-11), School (Ages 12-16), Youth (Ages 16-25), Graduate/Professional, General Public
Polar Research Theme: Ice, Oceans Land, People
Key Words: Online learning, MOOC, Antarctic science, history
Description: Dr. Cliff Atkins describes the development of and his participation in a massive on-line course, ICE101x (Antarctic Massive Open Online Course – MOOC), developed by Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Read More
Type: Video, Scientific presentation, School lesson, Informal learning activity
Polar Research Theme: Land
Key Words: Arctic, tundra, permafrost thaw, climate change, carbon cycling, decomposition, methane, photosynthesis, carbon sink
Description: This resource consists of a video supported by online education resources. The first portion is a comprehensive introduction to permafrost thaw Read More
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suitable For: School (Ages 12-16),Youth (Ages 16-25), Graduate/Professional, General Public
Year: 2018
Polar Research Theme: Oceans, Ice
Key Words: Antarctica, marine ecosystems, Southern Ocean, krill, biodiversity, energy pyramid, nutrient cycling, carbon sink, ocean acidification, ocean circulation
Description: The scientist begins with a survey of ecosystem mechanics and then conducts a comprehensive survey of Southern Ocean ecosystem changes Read More
Suitable For: School (Ages 5-8), School (Ages 9-11), General Public
Year: 2016
Key Words: Antarctica, marine ecosystem, benthic community, trophic levels, foodweb, biodiversity, essential fatty acids, stable carbon isotopes, Larsen Ice Shelf
Description: The webinar begins with a comprehensive summary of the Antarctic benthic community Read More
Type: Video, Scientific presentation, School lesson
Suitable For: School (Ages 5-8), School (Ages 9-11), School (Ages 12-16), General Public
Polar Research Theme: Ice, Land, People, Atmosphere, Oceans
Key Words: Climate Change, Ice Core Drilling, Ice Core, Past Climate, Climate Education, Communication
Description: In this PEI Master Class researchers gives many insights about past climate, climate change as well as impacts on human beings. Read More
Suitable For: Youth (Ages 16-25), Graduate/Professional, General Public,
Polar Research Theme: Land, Ice, Atmosphere
Key Words: Climate change, ice core, ice drill, Arctic, global climate, aerosol
Description: Researcher Joseph McConnell and educator Linda Morris provide this master class. Their special focus is on ice core drilling and what they can tell about the past climate. Read More
Suitable For: Youth (Ages 16-25), Graduate/Professional, General Public
Year: 2014
Polar Research Theme: Oceans, Ice, Land
Key Words: Penguin, Antarctic, climate change, marine
Description: In this PEI Master Class a researcher explains how the animals in Antarctica are being affected by changing climate. Read More
Year: 2015
Polar Research Theme: Ice, Oceans
Key Words: Climate change, sea level, ice sheet, education, Antarctica
Description: In this PEI Master Class Dr. Richard Alley, scientist at Penn State College, Read More
Key Words: Geoscience, sediment drilling, Antarctica, Ross Sea Basin, multi-national science research
Description: This master class examines how geological records of past polar climate can inform our understanding of what may happen to ice sheets in the future. Read More
Suitable For: School (Ages 5-8), School (Ages 9-11), School (Ages 12-16), Youth (Ages 16-25), Graduate/Professional, General Public
Polar Research Theme: Oceans, Ice, Atmosphere
Key Words: System thinking, climate change, ice core science, paleoclimate, glaciers
Description: This archived Master Class is about climate change and the urgent issues facing our planet. The focus is on how scientists use evidence from ice cores Read More
Year: 2019
Key Words: Greenland, climate change, glaciers, sea ice, sea level rise, geoengineering
Description: The decline of the Greenland ice sheet and its causes are described. Geoengineering solutions to reduce carbon dioxide are introduced.
Key Words: Arctic, Svalbard, Barents Sea, ice floes, cryoconite, ice risk, marginal ice zone
Description: Nataly Marchenko elucidates research on the marginal ice zone off of Svalbard. Read More
Suitable For: Graduate/Professional, General Public
Polar Research Theme: Ice
Key Words: communication, storytelling, ice cores, drilling, glaciers, education, Antarctica, Third-pole
Description: How do scientists study the rapidly changing cryosphere and educate others? Learn more from presentations by 4 researchers:
Read More
Polar Research Theme: People
Key Words: Arctic, climate litigation, Corporate Social Responsibility, sustainability, subsistence economy, Carbfix, adaptation
Description: This video consists of two separate presentations. Read More
Polar Research Theme: People, Ice
Key Words: Arctic, Nunavut, Inuit SmartICE, Ikaarvik, indigenous knowledge, safety, buoy, ice
Description: Two programs (SmartICE and Ikaarvik) designed for and by Inuit are discussed. Read More
Key Words: Methane, Ice, Microplastics, Sea level rise, Mercury, Beluga, Geothermal energy
Description: Four research presentations
Duration: 2 – 4 hours
Polar Research Theme: Ice, People
Key Words: Cambiamento climatico, carote di ghiaccio, albedo, ghiacciai, fusione del ghiaccio artico
Description: Webinar dei ricercatori Dr Paolo Gabrielli e Alessia Cicconi, dal Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, Ohio State University. Read More
Polar Research Theme: Ice, Ocean
Key Words: Antarctica, education, research, policy, early career scientists
Description: Four members of PEI Portugal (scientists José Xavier and Hugo Guímaro, teachers Patricia Fialho and Marta Espírito Santo) Read More
Type: Video, Scientific presentation,
Key Words: Arctic, policy, science, education
Description: Interview live with Dr. Lindsey Arnold, from the Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, and part of the third Arctic Science Ministerial Organizing committee. Also Julia Dooley, Read More
Key Words: Glaciers, Iceland, scientist, glaciologist
Description: Welcome to PEI 2022 workshop and three presentations from Icelandic researchers and educators.
Key Words: Interactive technology, Bouncy Maps. H5P, Google Earth, technology tools
Description: The presenter demonstrates interactive technology for use in classrooms. Read More
Type: Video, Interactive media
Suitable For: School (Ages 9-11), School (Ages 12-16), Youth (Ages 16-25), Graduate/Professional
Polar Research Theme: Ice, Ocean, Land, People, Atmosphere
Key Words: Virtual Field Trips, NearPod
Description: How to set-up, record, and conduct a virtual field trip for your students. While this was originally designed for Covid lockdown the concepts and hints Read More
Type: Video, Field/outdoor activity
Polar Research Theme: Ice, Land, People,
Key Words: Education, pedagogy, place-based education, energy, ice
Description: Three panelists of diverse backgrounds (professor, classroom teacher, informal educator) relate experiences in environmental education. Read More
Key Words: Climate Change, Art, Ice, Polar Research, Arctic Citizenship, Educational Activities, STEM
Description:
Suitable For: Youth (Ages 16-25), Graduate/Professional
Key Words: Arctic, field work, Svalbard, school expedition, educational experience, research
Description: An account of RESEt (Research and Education Svalbard Experience), an exceptional educational initiative Read More
Type: Video, Story-News-Article
Key Words: Arctic development, scientific tourism, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, agriculture, hunting, archaeology
Description: Scientific tourism in Greenland (Wonder Seekers) supports tourists who travel to learn, especially to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Read More
Key Words: Arctic, Inuit, Nunavut, cultural exchange, indigenous life
Description: An introduction to student and teacher exchange programs involving Southern and Arctic Canadians, the Inuit. Read More
Key Words: Arctic, polar educators, ice stories, Arctic, Antarctic
Description: Dr Sunniva Sørby talks about the Heart in the Ice project: A project of 2 women in 1 trapper’s hut, who spend 9 months in the Arctic (Svalbard) – 140 km away from civilization.
Key Words: Climate Change, Inuit, Greenland, Arctic
Description: An Italian adventurer, Robert Peroni has settled in an East Greenlandic village. In an interview format, he discusses sustainable Inuit life ways and their adaptations to climate change. Read More
Key Words: Arctic, Nunavut, Inuit preschool, Montessori, culture, traditional knowledge
Description: The video relays information about the Montessori method preschool in Nunavut where early childhood education (ECE) has a positive impact. Read More
Polar Research Theme: People, Ice, Land
Key Words: Iceland, glacier, Iceland history, Icelandic language
Description: A wonderful overview about the history, geography, people and language of Iceland.
Key Words: Polar art, sci-art, experiential art, stitch your science, Antarctica art, climate empathy
Description: Numerous artists describe their work that relates science to environmental context with a goal of stimulating stewardship. Read More
Key Words: Inuit, Arctic scientists, Peer reviewed knowledge, indigenous research
Description: Ikaarvik, or “bridge”, is a group of Northern youth bridging research and communities, Indigenous Knowledge and Western science, Read More
Polar Research Theme: People, Land
Key Words: Reindeer herding, traditional fishing, indigenous communities, climate change, adaption, Sakha Republic, Arctic
Description: The Arctic School (Sakha Republic, Russia) enables local children to deepen their understanding of their own culture and language. Read More
Duration: 30 minutes or less
Key Words: Antarctica, icebreaker, research, Southern Ocean, marine biology, IPY
Description: Portuguese scientist, marine biologist José Xavier, created this film in 2007 as an educational tool, as a contribution to the International Polar Year, Read More
Year: 2007
Polar Research Theme: Land, People
Key Words: Arctic, Indigenous, Education, research, reindeer, music
Description: 400,000 inhabitants in the Arctic are Indigenous. Reindeer herding Sami, Nenets, Khanty, Evenk & Chukchi continue their traditional lives, as they have done for millennia, Read More
Polar Research Theme: Ice, Land, People, Atmosphere
Key Words: Antarctica, overwinter, research
Description: An Interview with Dr. Elisabeth Schlosser, a meteorologist from Innsbruck, who was part of the first, and so far only, all-women overwintering team at the German base Georg von Neumayer, Read More
Key Words: Antarctica, penguins, research, rescue
Description: Dyan DeNapoli is known far and wide as “The Penguin Lady.” In this presentation for the PEI Equinox Share-a-thon event, Dyan details how she got started working with penguins, the great penguin rescue in South Africa Read More
Key Words: Inuit, Arctic, research, education, Nunavut, Indigenous knowledge
Description: Recorded interview with Shelly Elverum, Northern coordinator of the “Ikaarvik” (the Bridge) project, which links Western science with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, or traditional knowledge systems. Read More
