photo taken by batintherain; subject to a Creative Commons license
Did you know that while the Arctic is an ocean surrounded by continents, Antarctica is a continent surrounded by oceans? While this sounds like a simple play on words, it represents a profound difference in the geography, climate, and ecology of the two regions.
Did you […]
Author Archive
Mapping the Polar Regions
Monday, December 17th, 2007 4:49 pm
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
Polar News & Notes: Antarctic Tourism
Monday, December 10th, 2007 8:49 am
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
Did you know that you can take a cruise to Antarctica? You can land at a penguin rookery, kayak, hike, or even camp overnight on the seventh continent’s ice. What was once reserved for the bravest explorers and scientists is now available to anyone willing and able to pay.
A quick Google search lists many […]
Posted in Topics: Antarctica, Current News, International Polar Year, Oceans, Polar News & Notes, Science
Polar Bears: Much More than a Polar Pin-Up
Monday, December 3rd, 2007 12:12 pm
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
A photograph by Spiritwood Images; subject to a Creative Commons license
Did you know that polar bears live only in the Arctic? Many people wonder why polar bears don’t eat penguins, another animal popularly associated with the poles. In fact, these two animals live at the opposite ends of the earth! The giant marine mammals […]
Posted in Topics: Animals, Arctic, Education, International Polar Year, Lesssons and activities, Life Science, Reading, Science, Writing
Polar News & Notes: Japan’s Whaling Expedition
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007 9:40 am
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
Did you know that a Japanese whaling fleet departed the port of Shimonoseki on Sunday, heading toward the waters off Antarctica to hunt humpback whales? These whales, once nearly extinct and listed as an endangered species, are now listed as “vulnerable” by the World Conservation Union. Their worldwide population is estimated in the range of […]
Posted in Topics: Polar News & Notes, Science
Sunrise, Sunset: Learning About Seasons
Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 2:40 pm
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
Did you know that Anchorage, Alaska, experiences approximately 19 hours of daylight on the summer solstice? Or that in Barrow, Alaska, the sun does not set for 84 continuous days during the summer (approximately May 10-August 2)?
Did you know that summer temperatures in Fairbanks, Alaska, can reach 100+ degrees Fahrenheit? Or that Alaska’s short but […]
Penguins Only in Antarctica? It’s Not So Black and White!
Monday, November 5th, 2007 4:42 pm
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
Did you know that there are 17 species of penguins, and that only a few of those 17 call Antarctica home? While visiting South Africa, our tour guide suggested a stop at Boulders Beach to see the penguins. Penguins? In Africa? The idea seemed laughable, but a short walk down the boardwalk revealed hundreds of […]
Posted in Topics: Animals, Antarctica, Arctic, Education, Lesssons and activities, Life Science, Mathematics, Reading, Science, Technology, Writing, social studies
Posted in Topics: Antarctica, Arctic, Education, Reading, Science, Writing, social studies
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