From the international IPY office

3. Polar Weeks As the IPY research program moves toward analysis and results and as IPY participants plan for a large international conference in Oslo in June 2010, the IPO plans two Polar Weeks, October 2009 and March 2010, with the theme: What Happens at the Poles Affects Us All. These Polar Weeks have four goals: * To expand the IPY global networks of motivated and enthused educators; * To raise the visibility of polar issues and polar organizations; * To enhance the development of polar science educational materials; and * To develop long-term education and outreach partnerships for polar science. During October 5th through 9th, the IPY Polar Week will focus on recruiting new individual and institutional partners, will stimulate increased engagement by polar partners, and will highlight classroom activities developed for the new IPY Polar Resource Book. If you have any events planned during October Polar Week and would like to connect to the international IPY community please contact Karen Edwards directly @ karen.edwards@ualberta.ca. In March 2010, the Polar Week will focus on local community-building activities, will connect new and existing partners in science outreach, and will stimulate global enthusiasm for June 2010 on-line and on-site events. Both polar weeks will feature fresh accessible science, live web events, fun classroom activities, virtual balloon launches and spontaneous global inter-connections - activities that have made IPY Polar Days effective and enjoyable. For more information please visit the IPY website at: 4. Changes to IPY Website IPY.org is currently undergoing construction as we transition to a new partner - the Arctic Portal. Please bear with us during this time as we work through broken links and other issues with the site. If you have any questions or need any help, please don't hesitate to contact us at ipyipo@bas.ac.uk.