Celebrate International Polar Day on 24 September, 2008!

This particular Polar Day will focus on the human dimension of IPY and we have created four (4) activities around this Day that will allow classes of all ages and subjects, as well as the general public, to get involved in the celebration http://www.ipy.org/index.php?/ipy/detail/people/. For more information about any of the events, contact: Kristi Skebo skebo@ualberta.ca ---------------------------------------------------- Here are the (4) ways in which you can celebrate IPY day: 1. Launch a Virtual Balloon Show the involvement of your class or school in these Polar Day events (http://www.ipy.org/index.php?/ipy/detail/people_launch_a_virtual_balloon/) and watch balloons fly around the world. See if you can find some of the other classrooms who participated in these activities! 2. Connecting Communities From Pole to Pole We encourage classrooms around the world to engage in discussions about the changes (climatic, socio-economic, political, health) affecting their own communities and lives. These discussions will all come from very different places and perspectives and part of the exercise will be to think about people living in other places dealing with similar changes, for example, polar regions or non-polar regions for those who live in the Arctic. An English-language flyers and translated versions of this activity (French, Italian, Greek, Inuktitut to name a few) will be available from www.ipy.org over the next couple of weeks. 3. Global Student Discussion As a follow-up to the classroom discussion listed above, we encourage those classes or teachers with internet access to join in a GLOBAL DISCUSSION - share your class ideas, videos, artwork, poems, songs, etc. in an online forum at http://polarday.tiged.org/. The on-line classroom is now live although we are still making some adjustments. You can register your class ahead of time and look around the site. During the week of September 22, social science researchers from around the world will be available to answer questions that arise from your discussions, questions about their work and what¹s it like to live in the polar regions. Teachers can exchange lesson plan ideas on the Polar Day website (http://polarday.tiged.org). Be sure to share a description of your class (school and class name, location, grade, subject) ­ classes from grades 3-12, in any subject (English, Geography, Science, etc) are encouraged to participate. WE ARE LOOKING TO RECRUIT SCHOOLS IN ARCTIC REGIONS (CANADA, ALASKA, GREENLAND, EUROPE, SIBERIA) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GLOBAL DISCUSSIONS. WE HAVE NUMEROUS SCHOOLS FROM NON-POLAR REGIONS (U.S.A., BRAZIL, ZAMBIA, CONGO, etc.) WHO ARE INTERESTED IN EXCHANGING IDEAS DIRECTLY WITH NORTHERN CLASSROOMS. PLEASE CONTACT KRISTI SKEBO AT THE CANADIAN IPY SECRETARIAT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THIS DIRECT EXCHANGE (skebo@ualberta.ca). 4. Live Radio Event CKLB Radio - an independent aboriginal community radio station based in Yellowknife, NWT, is proud to be hosting a new type of live event celebrating our connection with the North. For 24 hours CKLB will be connecting people around the world through an Internet radio stream which can be found at http://www.ncsnwt.com There will be three opportunities for students to speak LIVE with the radio show announcers and experts. They can also send in questions by email or blog real time questions through the CKLB website. Each radio show will be 2 hours long and include interviews with researchers, community leaders and teachers involved with polar research and activities. Some of the topics include: · Caribou migration and health of Inuit community health · Discussion of climatic, social and health issues in indigenous communities in Australia and Canada¹s North · Inuit Sea Ice Use and Occupancy (link) · The University of the Arctic: Providing Higher Education and Outreach Programs for the International Polar Year · Map of Arctic People project (link) · Discussion of what it¹s like to overwinter at the Mawson Research Station in Antarctica · Antarctic Tourism · Storybook exchange between schools in Alaska and Tasmania (Australia) The times for this event are: Europe - Sept 24 1330-1530 UTC+2 (7:30-9:30 am EST or 5:30-7:30am in Yellowknife) North America - Sept 24 1300-1500 UTC-4 (1:00-3:00pm EST or 11am-1pm in Yellowknife) Australia/Asia - Sept 25 1300-1500 UTC+10 (11pm -1am EST or 9:00-11:00pm in Yellowknife) Tune in, stream from the internet, ask questions, and use the information provided to stimulate debate in your classrooms about important IPY projects and issues. All broadcasts will be archived on CKLB¹s website (http://www.ncsnwt.com) so if you miss one on Sept 24, you can ³tune in² at a later date! CKLB would love to put your students on the air and allow them to ask participating IPY project representatives questions directly, live during the broadcast. WE ARE LOOKING FOR 3 OR 4 CLASSROOMS IN EACH TIME ZONE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EXCITING OPPORTUNITY. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT KRISTI SKEBO (skebo@ualberta.ca) WITH A SCHOOL PHONE NUMBER WHERE YOUR CLASS CAN BE REACHED DURING THE BROADCAST. CKLB WILL SET UP A TIME WITH YOU IN ADVANCE TO CONNECT WITH YOUR CLASSROOM DURING THE PROGRAM SO YOUR STUDENTS CAN ASK QUESTIONS LIVE ON THE AIR. We hope to see lots of balloons flying on the map on September 24! Kristi Skebo Communications Coordinator Canadian IPY Secretariat Z-908 Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton, AB, CANADA, T6G 2E9 Tele: 780-492-0486 Fax: 780-492-0493 Website: www.ipycanada.ca

The APPLICATIONS FOR POLARTREC 2009/2010 TEACHERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) program is currently accepting teacher applications from teachers for the third year of teacher research experiences. Teachers are invited to submit an application to participate in field research learning experiences during the 2009 (Arctic) or 2009-2010 (Antarctic) field seasons. More information and application forms are available at: http://www.polartrec.com. ABOUT THE PROGRAM PolarTREC is a three-year (2007-2009) program of the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS) focusing on a wide variety of research activities occurring in both the Arctic and Antarctic during and after the International Polar Year (IPY). PolarTREC pairs K-12 teachers with researchers to improve science education through authentic polar research experiences. The program integrates research and education to produce a legacy of long-term teacher-researcher collaborations, improved teacher content knowledge, and broad public interest and engagement in polar science. The International Polar YearIPY presents an outstanding opportunity for researchers to share their passion for polar research through topics that naturally engage students and the wider public. PolarTREC is funded by the National Science Foundation. Through PolarTREC, over 40 U.S. teachers will spend two to six weeks in the Arctic or Antarctic, working closely with researchers in the field as an integral part of the science team. PolarTREC teachers and researchers will be matched based on similar goals and interests and teachers will be trained to meet the program requirements prior to the field season. While in the field, teachers and researchers will communicate extensively with their colleagues, communities, and students of all ages across the globe, using a variety of tools including satellite phones, online journals, podcasts, and interactive "Live from IPY" events and web-based seminars. Teachers and research projects will be selected and matched to fill the openings available. All major expenses associated with teacher participation in PolarTREC field experiences are covered by the program, including transportation to and from the field site, food, lodging, and substitute teacher costs. We expect that teachers will be notified of selection decisions in December 2008. APPLICATION DEADLINE Teacher Application Deadline: Monday, 29 September 2008 POLARTREC INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR Interested teachers, researchers, and the public are encouraged to participate in a PolarTREC informational webinar (web conference), scheduled for Wednesday, 10 September 2008, at 2:00 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time (12:00 p.m. HST; 3:00 p.m. PDT; 4:00 p.m. MDT; 5:00 p.m. CDT; 6:00 p.m. EDT). Please register early! An online webinar registration form is available at: http://www.polartrec.com/join/informational-webinar/form Instructions will be sent to all registered participants. Participation in the webinar is free, optional, and is not a prerequisite for applying to the PolarTREC program. Webinar Registration Deadline: Tuesday, 9 September 2008 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION More information about PolarTREC, including program goals, requirements, expectations, and frequently asked questions, is available at: http://www.polartrec.com For further information, please contact: E-mail: info@polartrec.com Phone: 907-474-1600 Funding for PolarTREC is provided by the National Science Foundation (Award Number: 632401).

Students on Ice set to leave

Dear friends,

As sure as the Arctic Tern’s annual flight from Antarctica to the Arctic each year, Students on Ice are getting ready for another Youth Expedition to the Canadian North! We hope you will share this upcoming journey with us via www.studentsonice.com/arctic2008. We will be updating the site each day with student journals, videoclips, photos, scientific updates and more beginning August 2nd. With more alarming news from the Arctic this week, such as another large chuck of the Ward Hunt Iceshelf breaking away, it is more urgent than ever that we show the youth of the world what is happening in the Polar Regions due to Climate Change and inspire them to take action! Protect the Poles – Protect the Planet is the mantra for Students on Ice this year… help spread the Word! And here are some of the highlights of our upcoming journey:

- International Polar Year / Students on Ice Arctic Expedition August 2 – 17, 2008

- We are dedicating the expedition to our great and recently departed friend Dr. Fritz Koerner!

- Our expedition is endorsed by IPY Canada and IPY International and represents one of the largest IPY education events in the world.

- 20 northern Canadian students from the Yukon to Labrador generously funded by Canada’s IPY Federal Program and other northern partners will join our team.

- Canadian students from 10 provinces and territories

- 65 Students in total from 10 different countries, including Afghanistan, Norway, United States, Austria, United Kingdom, Monaco, Australia, Mexico and Canada.

- 70% of the participating students have been fully sponsored thanks to the generous support of many people and organizations all listed at http://www.studentsonice.com/arctic2008/html/partners.html

- Twenty international polar scientists, educators, artists and northern leaders, including the Hon. Ann Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut, will lead lectures, workshops and hands-on activities.

- Topics studied during the expedition will include marine biology, earth sciences, history, sustainable development, culture, Arctic sovereignty, and environmental issues.

- Students will participate in numerous ‘hands-on’ activities – including an exciting ocean current experiment with the Institute of Ocean Sciences

- Everyday students will be involved in something new – visits to Inuit communities, participation in community feasts and meetings with elders and Inuit youth, zodiac cruises through pack ice and along huge bird cliffs, spotting for whales, polar bears and seals, visits to ancient Inuit historic sites, searching for evidence of climate change in the Arctic, etc.

- The main expedition goals are to inspire these future leaders, create polar ambassadors and environmental stewards, connect the youth to the Natural World, and make issues like Climate Change real and personal.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer! We will say hi to the Polar Bears for you…

In the expedition spirit,

Geoff

------------------------------------------------------------

Geoff Green

Executive Director | Directeur Éxecutif

Students on Ice Expeditions | Expéditions Students on Ice

Natural Heritage Building | Édifice du patrimoine naturel

1740 chemin Pink

Gatineau, QC J9J 3N7 CANADA

Toll free | Sans frais: 866-336-6423

Tel.: 819-827-3300 | Fax: 819-827-9951

Web: www.studentsonice.com

Integrating IPY research with public outreach or education?

Hello (apologies for cross-posting)

Have you been integrating IPY research with public outreach or education? If so, please consider submitting an abstract to the AGU session, ED03: IPY: Science and Outreach In Polar Partnership Note: AGU allows presenters to be first author on oral sessions in both science and education categories so you are allowed to submit an abstract to this, and also to your relevant science session.

Abstract: The International Polar Year 2007-8 continues to lead the integration of outreach, education and communication into research projects. Scientists and educators within the polar community have been working together to develop and share effective methods of communicating the important role of Polar Regions in the global system. This session is an opportunity to celebrate and profile successful partnerships between IPY science and outreach, explore best-practices, and set recommendations for future collaborations. We welcome abstracts from all areas of polar science and outreach, especially those that used IPY as an opportunity to explore new collaborations, techniques, audiences, and technology. We are interested in approaches used for international to local activities, evaluation of these, and how these might be applied to a different context.

The submission deadline is 10 September 2008, 2359 UT. To submit an abstract, please visit http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm08/?content=program

Session details and convener contact information can be found at: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm08/?content=search&show=detail&sessid=176

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Rhian Salmon, Jenny Baeseman, Louise Huffman, Nicola Munro, and Elena Sparrow

Arctic Community Curriculum

22. Arctic Community Curriculum

From the Will Steger Foundation’s Global Warming 101 initiative, Arctic Community Curriculum focuses on community, solutions, and positive messages of hope and action in response to the challenge of climate change. Based on the idea that we are all members of the community of Planet Earth, the curriculum looks in detail at a specific area, namely the Arctic, to help us appreciate the meaning of community. The Arctic Community Curriculum is free of charge and compliments the other educational resources available through the Web site.

http://globalwarming101.com/

Request For Proposals Environmental Stewardship Project - Departments - Government of Yukon

Request For Proposals Environmental Stewardship Project - Departments - Government of Yukon: Request For Proposals Environmental Stewardship Project Project Description: To facilitate the planning of the Department of Education’s environmental stewardship project, including research of best practices, assessment of current departmental operations, development of strategic improvement plan, identification of resources and communication with partners. Proposals clearly marked “with the above project title”, will be received up to 4:00 pm local time, Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at Contract Services. Terms of Reference may be obtained from Contract Services, (867) 667-5385, Department of Highways and Public Works, Second Floor - 9010 Quartz Road, P.O. Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 2C6. Technical questions may be directed to Gordon deBruyn at (867) 667-3741."

Arctic Live from IPY Events for July-August, 2008

Contact: info@polartrec.com http://www.polartrec.com --------------------------------------- Arctic summers are busy! Here at ARCUS, we have been very busy getting teachers out on expeditions in the Arctic through the PolarTREC (Teachers & Researchers Exploring & Collaborating) program . A number of the PolarTREC teams have scheduled Live from the International Polar Year (IPY) events in July and August. What are Live from IPY events? * These are real-time, interactive events that utilize the Internet and phone for presentations. * These events allow participants to learn about the research being conducted in the field first-hand from the researchers and teachers while they are in a remote Arctic location. * Events are free to the public and at minimum require a phone or Internet access. How do you join an event? In order to participate in any Live from IPY event, we ask that you register online at . Instructions on how to join these events are sent out in an email once you register and are available for downloading on the website. Here is what is coming up on the Live from IPY schedule of events: 17 July 2008 - Join PolarTREC teacher Cathy Campbell and the research team at Toolik Field Station in Alaska. Learn more about their tundra ecology research. Event starts at 9:00 AM Alaska Daylight Time [7:00 AM HDT, 10:00 AM PDT, 11:00 AM MDT. 12:00 PM CST, 1:00 PM EDT]. 21 July 2008 - Join PolarTREC Teacher Jillian Worssam and the research team aboard the USCGC Healy in the Bering Sea. Learn more about the Bering Ecosystem Study '08. Event starts at 10:00 AM Alaska Daylight Time [8:00 AM HDT, 11:00 AM PDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 2:00 PM EDT] 28 July 2008 - Catch up with PolarTREC Teacher Jillian Worssam and the research team aboard the USCGC Healy in the Bering Sea. Learn more about the Bering Ecosystem Study '08. Event starts at 10:00 AM Alaska Daylight Time [8:00 AM HDT, 11:00 AM PDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 2:00 PM EDT] 8 August 2008 - Join PolarTREC teacher Missy Holzer, REU students, and the researchers from Svalbard, Norway. Learn more about changes that are occurring in the high Arctic. Event starts at 10:00 AM Alaska Daylight Time [8:00 AM HDT, 11:00 AM PDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 2:00 PM EDT]. Questions? Please feel free to contact either Janet Warburton or Kristin Timm with questions about these live events. ************************************************************* Janet Warburton PolarTREC Project Manager Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS) 3535 College Road, Suite #101 Fairbanks, AK U.S.A. 99709-3710 Phone: 907-474-1600, ext. 612 Fax: 907-474-1604 Email: warburton@arcus.org Websites: http://www.arcus.org; http://www.polartrec.com