International Polar Year, or IPY (2007-2009) is by far the most exciting international scientific and educational opportunity of this century. For the next two years, all eyes will be focused on the physical, social and human dimensions of our planet's polar regions. Watch this blog for news related to Canadian outreach and education efforts related to IPY. Of particular interest to educators! Note: This blog is created independently of any official IPY organization

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Pembina Arctic eCards site

Teachers: Take Your Students to the Arctic with eCards

Hauling the SailsStudents can now research Arctic glaciers on the eCards website, and use it to create an eCard, an electronic postcard with their own message and graphics.

In September 2007, twelve high school students from Canada, Germany and the UK sailed to the Arctic aboard the Noorderlicht. They worked with scientists and artists who are interested in exploring the impact of climate change in the North. This Cape Farewell expedition gave the youth a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity, one they can now vividly share with other students through the eCards topic resource centre on Arctic glaciers.

The Noorderlicht While learning about glaciers, your students can imagine what it would be like to travel to the Arctic aboard a 120-foot schooner. They will meet Shona, a high school student in Quebec. Students can listen to her video diary about the glacier mass balance research she participated in and read what she had to say about it in her blog. They also meet Jethro, a student from the UK, who shares his video diary from the Arctic as well as a song he wrote that was inspired by the glaciers.

The eCards website now includes five age-appropriate, multi-media topic resource centres for student research:

  • eCards Screenshot wind energy
  • solar energy
  • nuclear power
  • energy success stories
  • Arctic glaciers.

Initially piloted by Grade 7 Geography teachers in Ontario last fall, eCards is quickly finding its way into a range of classrooms, curricula and grade levels across the country.

Visit the eCards website and click Learn More to see the Arctic Glacier topic resource centre.

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