The 8th Polar Day (topic: Polar Oceans) elicited so much interest that it turned into a full week of events that took place across the globe from some likely places such as Edinburgh, Winnipeg and Nuuk to some not so likely places like Brazil & Malaysia.
Take a peek at some of the exciting highlights from classrooms, radio stations, field schools and public outreach sessions around the world.
Edinburgh, UK: March 14th - 15th
The Dynamic Earth science center hosted a hands-on public session with researchers from the Scottish Association for Marine Science who displayed Arctic research footage from recent expeditions. The most popular part of the event was when people got a chance to don the equipment worn by polar scientists. We may have just hooked the next generation of polar scientists.
The next generation polar scientist (photo: Dr Jon Urch)
Microbiologist Dr Eleanor Bell (photo: Hosea Handoyo)
Biogeochemist Dr. Arlene Rowan showing a 'young citizen' some groovy images of polar plankton (photo: Dr Jon Urch)
Hannover, Germany: March 19th
The 5th grade at the high school ISG List in Hannover was amazed after figuring out that two young polar researchers are present and would introduce them to the Polar Regions. They highly enjoyed learning more about why polar bears developed the way they have and how the work in the field is actually conducted from Kim. Mike introduced them to the history and life of Arctic travellers in the 18th century and the cultural and current Inuit life. The kids were great to work with and brought the enthusiasm back home to their families and friends. We hope to include more school kids in our activities in the near future and get them involved in Polar activities.
ISG High School, Hannover, Germany
ISG High School, Hannover, Germany
Malaysian IPY Forum: March 20th
The Environmental Law Association at University Information & Technology MARA, (UiTM) organised a forum for Polar Oceans Week called "International Polar Year - Im involved, are YOU?" and 236 students participated. The forum gave students a platform to understand the effects of climate change on the polar regions and the impacts in this part of the world.
The group wants to thank Dr. Jose Xavier for participating in the forum and answering questions about the Antarctic AND especially for taking the Malaysian flag to Antarctica! Many students had never heard of IPY yet they knew about climate change. This event helped them to connect their ideas and knowledge and encouraged them to think about how they can get involved and go to the next level.
Brazilian radio, Claretiana FM: March 24, 2009
Another Polar Day and another great success in Brazil! Dr. Jose Xavier, a Portugese researcher was on board the RRS James Clark Ross in Antarctica, as he talked with local Scouts and students during a wonderful interview with Claretiana FM on Wednesday.
Scouts lead discussions with Dr Xavier (photo: M Hebling Almeida)
Anxious to ask questions (photo: M Hebling Almeida)
Successful radio event (photo: M Hebling Almeida)
He also spoke with students and teachers from Colégio Puríssimo Coração de Maria (Rio Claro SP) on Friday. He answered questions about the polar regions, marine life and polar science for almost an hour on both days. We would also like to thank Dr. Xavier for the great explanations and for sharing a bit of his knowledge with us.
(photo: M Hebling Almeida)
We thank the International Program and their colleagues for organizing this IPY week, during which people from all over the world have had so many opportunities to learn more about the poles. And we also thank British Antarctic Survey and everyone who made these contacts possible.
A big thank you from Brazil! (photo: M Hebling Almeida)
Nuuk, Greenland: March 26th
Fifteen 10th grade students joined a group of scientists at the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, at the Centre of Marine Ecology and Climate Impact, in Nuuk Greenland, where they got an up close view of the fjord monitoring programme.
Scientists and students had a great day (photo: L.Poort)