Break the ice at your school

One of the main themes of the International Polar Year is the study of Earth’s changing ice and snow, and its impact on both our planet and our lives. On 1 March 2007, students and teachers around the world are invited to help launch the IPY in your classrooms.

IPY

To become part of this exciting international scientific effort go to the IPY website for Educators or download this PDF to get started.

International Polar Year Information

The International Polar Year 2007-08 is a scientific campaign planned to unlock the secrets of the earth’s poles. Organised by the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), it will involve collaboration from thousands of scientists from over 60 countries. Research and observations from over 200 scientific programmes will be coordinated over the duration of the IPY.

Weather ballon Weather ballon Weather ballon

The IPY 2007-08 is the fourth global polar year, following those of 1882-3, 1932-3, and 1957-58. The most recent polar year, the International Geophysical Year (1957-58), was instrumental in the formation of the Antarctic Treaty. More information about the history of the IPY can be found at:

www.ipy.org/index.php?/ipy/history/
dels.nas.edu/us-ipy/history.html

Focusing on understanding the environmental status of the Arctic and the Antarctic, the IPY 2007-08 will identify any changes occurring within the polar regions and how these affect the rest of the globe. Extending from the March, 2007 until March, 2009, the extended ‘year’ will allow scientists to research both poles over a full annual cycle. More detailed information of specific scientific objectives can be found at http://www.us-ipy.gov/

For more information visit the official IPY website at www.ipy.org. For information on Australia’s involvement in the IPY, visit AAD web site.

 

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