Antarctica Week 2019 – For UK schools

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Calling all teachers! There is an amazing opportunity for your school (if you’re in the UK) to link up with polar experts during ‘Antarctica Week’, 2-6 December 2019.

What British Antarctic Survey is offering:

An opportunity to talk to a member of BAS staff or the UK Polar research community on weekdays from 2-6 December to celebrate Antarctica Day on 1st December. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty, which dedicates the continent for peace and science.

This year we are excited to announce that in addition to BAS staff we are offering UK schools the opportunity to speak to scientists participating in the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration. This new UK-US collaboration will study Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica (which is the size of the UK) to reduce the uncertainty in how it is contributing to global sea-level rise.

If you’re keen to engage your students in why polar research matters and what it’s like living and working in Antarctica then please book a slot. We are offering the following event which comprises:

  • A phone call with a researcher or member of staff who’s in Antarctica at one of the British Antarctic Survey stations or who has experience working in Antarctica (Skype may be possible with UK researchers)
  • 45-minute slots available daily at 10.00am and 11.00am GMT
  • Photos of the Antarctic stations and wildlife plus biographies of the people your pupils have a chance to chat to and ask questions to
  • Format includes: a short 10 minute introduction from your ‘Antarctic educator’ then time for questions – please get your pupils involved in advance! Lots of great content on this website and on www.discoveringantarctica.org.uk

If you’d like to participate please follow these instructions:

Fill in the registration form here by Friday 15 November at 17:00 GMT.

The following details will be required:

  • Teacher or contact name
  • Name of the school
  • Age of the pupils
  • Number of pupils who would attend the talk
  • Telephone number to call on the day

We know this opportunity is likely to be over-subscribed so please try to have a minimum of 30 pupils for your slot so we can reach as many young people as possible! We encourage you to merge classes or get the whole school involved.

Please note: as this event is likely to be over-subscribed we will be prioritising schools who have not participated before.

Antarctica Day was inaugurated in 2010 to celebrate the 1st December 1959 signature of the Antarctic Treaty, which was adopted “with the interests of science and the progress of all mankind.” Antarctica Day was initiated by the Foundation for the Good Governance of International Spaces as an annual event to build global awareness of this landmark institution, celebrating this milestone of peace in our civilization with hope and inspiration for future generations.