Children make notes while viewing episodes of Tim Bowden's television program or video Heading South. Share the results.

Learning outcome:

Did you know? The coldest temperature for Antarctica was a chilling -89.6 C, recorded at Vostok on 21st July 1983. Compare this with the temperatures where you live. Record the maximum and minimum daily temperatures for a week and make of line graph to show the results. Consider the protective clothing required for the harsh Antarctic weather conditions. Dress a model.

Learning outcome:

Explore concepts of stewardship for future generations: preservation of wilderness, aesthetic values, spiritual values, recreation, heritage, education.
A study of the Antarctic can involve many important global issues. e.g.- depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, the effects of population growth, disposal of effluent and solid waste, the effect of chemical pollution on biodiversity, whaling bans in the Southern Ocean, Longline Fishing casualties such as the Wandering Albatross, the difficulties of cleaning up oil spills in cold climates.
Monitoring of air and water quality by staff at Australian Antarctic bases contributes a great deal to international science research.
Satellite tracking is being used by scientists working on the Wandering Albatross Project. It is an international project by the World Wide Fund for Nature to collect data which will improve the chances of the birds' survival.
Information about the Antarctic Treaty is readily available from Internet sites.
Why is mining banned on the continent of Antarctica? What could change this? Examine the roles of environmental groups such as Greenpeace and individuals such as Nigel Brothers who persuaded International fishermen to change their Longline Fishing practices, thus saving many a Wandering Albatross.

Focus: The interdependence of elements in systems, moving from general to specific examples of relationships between elements. These may include a food chain, the water cycle, etc.

Learning outcome:

Relate to food webs in Science KLA.
How can the actions of humans protect ecosystems for the health of our planet?
Information about The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) can be found on the Internet.
The Southern Ocean Sanctuary provides the main feeding grounds for sperm whales and all but one of the baleen whales in the southern hemisphere. Many of the great whales are on the endangered list. The Blue whale is the largest animal on earth and weighs up to 130 000 kg. The Sperm whale can dive up to 1 000 metres. Why do humans no longer need whaling products?
Investigate some principles of ecotourism and put them into practice locally. e.g. "Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints"

Learning outcome:

Antarctic communities must make special efforts to ensure harmony during the long dark winters. The expeditioners must undergo psychological testing as well train for their task.
Cooperative group learning exercise 1,2,4: Imagine that you are journalist who has been invited to visit Antarctica for a month. You are allowed to pack only one suitcase. What will you take?
Make individual lists. With a partner decide which items are the most necessary, then in groups of four reach agreement about what you will take. Justify your choices to the whole class.

Blue Ice Huddling Activity
Huddle like penguins for warmth. Note how it is warmer on the inside of group. Everyone must take their turn on the outside to protect the group. The social behaviour of huddling provides protection for the 1000s of father penguins during the worst part of the winter when they are incubating their eggs. In the penguin nursery the adults form a circle around the penguin chicks for protection from the hazards of the weather.

Blue Ice Nurturing Activity
Nurture an egg for 24 hours like a father penguin does for 62 days.
"On Tuesday 21st of May, Grade 3V did a funny activity. We brought hard boiled eggs to school. We tied them to our bare skin for 24 hours like the father Emperor Penguin who has to hatch his egg for eight weeks. The egg sits on his feet under a little flap of skin. Only five people hatched their egg out. We now have five little chicks. It was fun but it was a bit hard, and we would hate to be father Emperor Penguins."
by Amber, Alex, Gabi and Megan

In conclusion :
Children's letters from the Antarctic

Casey Station Antarctica 19/6/96

Dear Tom,
When I came to Antarctica it was very thrilling. I like it here. I've seen two beautiful Adelie penguins and an Emperor penguin chick. It was cute. I have seen an iceberg. It was 6 metres tall. It was very thrilling for me to see a real iceberg. I am sharing a donga with Sam. Do you remember Sam? She's a scientist. I'm going to be a station leader and it will be so much fun. I wish I could stay for two years.
From
Amber

Dear Mrs Veith,
I have always wanted to go to Antarctica and now I'm here. The first sight of seeing ice is fascinating. There are big icebergs. They are like big crystals. Looking over the ice from a helicopter is great. I saw a colony of Emperor Penguins with their chicks. Some were waddling to the sea. When I got to Casey Station the people there showed me where I was sleeping. I am staying for a year as the Station Leader. I have made lots of new friends. The one I chatted to most was Tim Bowden. It is brilliant being a Station Leader. The next day Tim Bowden showed me a colony of Emperor Penguins. It was fascinating. Some mother Emperor Penguins were catching fish. I love Antarctica and I hope you go there one day.
Love
Tess

Dear Mum and Dad,
I have finally arrived at Antarctica. I am staying at Casey Station for 10 weeks. Today is Friday and it's 3 degrees Celsius. It's cold! I have been invited to see these fantastic penguins called Emperor penguins and Adelie penguins and Macaroni penguins. I'm leaving to see these wonderful penguins at 12.00. I'm going with an expert person who knows all about penguins. I'm sharing a room with Kate. She's a lovely artist. It's 12.00. I'm going to see the penguins now. If you are wondering how I got there I went there in a helicopter. I saw the Emperor penguins. First they were amazing, they were fantastic, they were GIGANTIC, they were fascinating. They had little baby chicks under their feathers. Then I went to see the Adelie penguins. They were not as big as the Emperor penguins. They are a bit smaller. They are only black and white. Then I went to see the Macaroni penguins. The Macaroni penguins had spikes on their heads. They looked funny and a bit different and then I went back to Casey Station for the rest of the day.
Yours sincerely
Megan

Davis Station Antarctica 17/6/96

Dear Bob,
You should come to Antarctica. It is fascinating and the wildlife is fantastic. It's all white. The air is lovely. I arrived on the ninth. I got a ride in a helicopter. It flew to Casey Station. It was winter. The wind swished through the breeze. Our gear is so hot. On my last day at Casey the wind was fierce. I got ready for the big ride to Mawson. The big ride was ready to begin. We took off over crevasses. We arrived at Mawson and went to see penguins. We came back to Davis and we are to go home on the icebreaker.
Yours sincerely,
Chris

What did the students learn?
Snowballs
Children use some scrap paper to write down one thing they have learned during their study of Antarctica. Holding their statements, they make two lines facing each other about two metres apart. Crumble the paper into `snowballs' and throw! STOP!
Collect a snowball and take turns to read the statements.