Rick Holt, a 2008 Iditarod finisher, near Finger Lake. Photo courtesy of John Concilus.
It’s that time again – the 37th annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race across Alaska will begin at 10 am, March 7, 2009. This ceremonial start is in downtown Anchorage, with the competitive start (or “restart”) scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2009 in […]
Polar News and Notes
social studies
Join Schools Across the Country in the Iditarod
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 11:21 am
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
Energy Sources of the Polar Regions
Friday, December 5th, 2008 9:00 am
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
Jessica Fries-Gaither will present the workshop “Energy Sources of the Polar Regions” on Saturday, December 6 at the National Science Teachers Association regional conference in Cincinnati, OH. The workshop is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. in Room 211 of the Duke Energy Center. We hope you’ll join us for an interactive session exploring lessons and activities […]
Posted in Topics: Antarctica, Arctic, Cyberzine Issues, Earth and Space Science, Presentations, Reading, Science, Writing, social studies
Issue Two of Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears: Learning From the Polar Past
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 1:00 am
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
A new month brings a new issue of the Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears cyberzine! The online magazine is written for elementary teachers to help develop their content knowledge of the polar regions and use best practices in integrating science and literacy instruction. Our second issue is called “Learning From the Polar Past” and provides […]
Posted in Topics: Antarctica, Arctic, Cyberzine Issues, Earth and Space Science, Education, International Polar Year, Reading, Science, Technology, social studies
Polar News & Notes: Sun-Earth Day Celebrates Spring Equinox
Monday, March 17th, 2008 9:00 am
Written by: Carolyn Hamilton
March 20 is Sun-Earth Day 2008, an annual event scheduled on or near the date of the spring equinox. It is sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to engage K-12 schools and the public in space science activities and interactions with space scientists.
This year’s theme is Space Weather Around the World. […]
Posted in Topics: Education, Lesssons and activities, Polar News & Notes, Reading, Science, Technology, Upcoming Opportunities, social studies
Issue One of Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears: A Sense of Place
Saturday, March 1st, 2008 1:00 am
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
We’re pleased to announce that our first issue of the Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears cyberzine is ready to view! This online magazine is written for elementary teachers to help develop their content knowledge of the polar regions and use best practices in integrating science and literacy instruction. Our first issue is called “A Sense […]
Posted in Topics: Cyberzine Issues, Education, Ezine Departments, International Polar Year, Mathematics, Science, Technology, social studies
The Last Great Race: Teaching the Iditarod
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008 11:21 am
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
Photo courtesy of Travis S., subject to a Creative Commons license
Did you know that Saturday, March 1, marks the ceremonial start to the 36th Iditarod?
Known as the “Last Great Race,” the Iditarod is a race across the beautiful yet rough terrain of Alaska. Covering more than 1,150 miles, mushers and their dogs cross frozen rivers, […]
Posted in Topics: Education, Lesssons and activities, Mathematics, Professional Development, Reading, Science, Technology, social studies
Polar News & Notes: Ellesmere Island Expedition
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008 2:11 pm
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
In March, a six-member team from the United States, Norway, Great Britain, and Canada will embark on a 1,400 mile dogsled expedition across Ellesmere Island. As the team traces the routes of legendary polar explorers such as Robert Peary, Matthew Hensen, Frederick Cook, and Otto Sverdrup, they will witness the changes that have occurred on […]
Learning About Antarctica’s Past
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 12:48 pm
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
Photo taken at Lake Bonney in Taylor Valley, Antarctica, by Carol Landis, subject to a Creative Commons license
Did you know that Antarctica was once a warm place? It is hard to imagine, but millions of years ago, the coldest, driest, and windiest place on earth was actually ice-free and inhabited by trees, plants, dinosaurs, and […]
Where Does the Arctic Begin? End?
Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 10:34 am
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
Did you know that there isn’t one official definition for the Arctic?
In contrast with the more easily defined boundaries of Antarctica, the southern boundaries of the Arctic vary depending on interest and purpose. According to Rhian Salmon, education and outreach coordinator for the International Polar Year, “there is no official definition of the Arctic for […]
Posted in Topics: Arctic, Education, International Polar Year, Science, social studies
Mapping the Polar Regions
Monday, December 17th, 2007 4:49 pm
Written by: Jessica Fries-Gaither
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 […]
Posted in Topics: Antarctica, Arctic, Education, Reading, Science, Writing, social studies
Posted in Topics: Animals, Arctic, Education, Polar News & Notes, Reading, Science, Technology, Upcoming Opportunities, Writing, social studies
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