The International Polar Year 2007-2009 officially began on 1 March 2007, in the U.S. and internationally. Scientific research and educational activities are planned for IPY to advance our understanding of Earth's polar regions and how they impact the rest of the world. See this Introduction to IPY.
GLOBE students can participate in IPY activities through a number of field campaigns and Earth System Science Projects.
2009
- January - February 2009: Read Christopher Little's Blog on a two month research cruise to the Amundsen Sea, Antarctica.
- 6 January - 9 February 2009: Join the Polar Cruise Blog coming to you from the R/V Laurence M. Gould.
2008
- 4 December 2008: This International Polar Day is focused on research "Above The Poles" including polar meteorology, atmospheric sciences, astronomy, and polar observations from space.
Ways that your classroom can get involved include a Weather Observation Activity and two live events. Profiles of Arctic and Antarctic scientists and other educational resources are also available (summary).
- 1 - 19 December 2008: The 2008 Surface Temperature Field Campaign is focused on the impacts of snow on Earth's temperature.
- 24 September 2008: This International Polar Day is focused on People and the Polar Regions.
Ways that your classroom can get involved include launching a Virtual Balloon, connecting with communities in different parts of the world, a Global Student Discussion, and Around The World Radio Events (details at the above link).
- August - December 2008: Student Research Campaign for students to work with their local communities and scientists to determine their local seasonal indicators, monitor these indicators and investigate impacts of climate change on their local environments.
- 18 June 2008: This International Polar Day focused on Land and Life includes a classroom activity, scientist profiles, three live events in different time zones, and resources and content about permafrost, ecology, hydrology, and terrestrial biodiversity. Here are some flyers: Introduction, Activity.
- 8 April 2008: For a second time, students from Alaska and Argentina will have an opportunity to compare polar climates and environments through a Seasons and Biomes Project Pole-to-Pole Videoconference.
- 12-13 March 2008: There will be a variety of opportunities to participate in the March IPY Days by joining in at least one of the Changing Earth Live Events.
2007
- 26 November to 21 December 2007: The 2007 Surface Temperature Field Campaign is focused on the impacts of snow on Earth's temperature.
- 21 September 2007: The first International Polar Day, Sea Ice Day: In conjunction with this day, on 18 September 2007 scientists studying sea ice from the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado, the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven, Germany, and at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks will present their recent data and findings in a video conference with students who will ask questions of the scientists. Topics will include examining the record low sea ice extent in the Arctic, the impacts of the loss of sea ice on coastal communities, and ecosystems that exist under the ice. The video conference will be webcast and archived by MAGPI at the University of Pennsylvania.
See also Sea Ice Day: Quick Links for Educators.
- 2 August 2007: GLOBE Master Trainer, Ms. Peggy Foletta, will address the GLOBE Annual Conference from PolarTREC Research Station in Alaska
via an online interactive seminar, known as a Webinar.
- 20 April to 25 August 2007: Bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants in the marine food chain poses a significant threat to vulnerable
ecosystems in Polar Regions. Take part in an international school campaign where fish samples from various regions are analyzed for organic
pollutants. Visit Global POP
for more information and to sign up for the project.
- During March 2007, students will be able to participate in the Pole to Pole Video conference and Web chats celebrating the beginning of the International Polar Year. Following this event, an article about it was published.
2006
- 27 November to 22 December 2006: The Surface Temperature Field Campaign
by the University of Toledo gives students an opportunity to investigate the impacts of snow on Earth's temperature.
As additional IPY activities are planned in connection with GLOBE projects, they will be added to this page.
Links to Further Information
- Travel and talk with Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen as they trek across the Arctic! Also see LivArnesen.com.
- International Events and Announcements.
- For schools who want to be involved in the launching of IPY, visit the Educators' Launch Page for suggestions on activites for teachers and students.