September 24 will be the officially designated Sixth International Polar Day. Polar days are held every three months during the two-year-long scientific program focused on the poles, the International Polar Year 2007-2008 (IPY). The days are occasions for schools, science centers, and museums to engage their audiences in learning about the importance of the poles to life on our planet.

 The theme for the sixth polar day is Connecting Communities from Pole to Pole. The education office of the International Polar Year organization provides ideas and resources for participation by classrooms and community groups. Among the ideas for “connecting communities” are:

Make contact with other classrooms and groups via a web interface to be provided at the IPY site. 

Hold a class discussion about experiences and lifestyles in your community and then imagine the discussion held in a country nearer or farther from the poles. Seven questions are provided by the IPY.

 Post your discussion on the IPY web site and compare your answers to those given by schools in a different area.  

Launch a virtual balloon on the IPY web site’s world map on September 24 to show your organization’s participation. 

Participate in live web and video connections to the polar regions and experts

IPY will supply links to many resources about the culture, history, and modern-day concerns of people living in the Arctic. Printable flyers and press releases will be available for publicizing Polar Day events in your school and community.