After three million years of being frozen out, mollusks and other marine creatures in the North Pacific will be able to move into the Arctic Ocean thanks to global warming. Researchers from the University of California and the California Academy of Sciences say warmer waters and ice-free conditions will likely allow Pacific species of mussels, […]

Starting September 30, NSTA will offer a online short course about energy for teachers of grades 3-9. Course participants will meet on five consecutive Tuesday evenings (Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, and 28) to ask questions and have discussions. A course listserv and self-paced completion of course materials round out the experience.
Fees, which include all […]

After working on the next generation of robots for NASA’s exploration of Mars, Ayanna Howard wondered if a similar rover could be used to collect multiple science measurements on this planet, especially in the polar regions.
 In June, three SnoMotes, designed by Howard and a team of engineers and scientists, were on the ice of Mendenhall […]

Please consider taking a few moments to help inform our design of future Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears issues and articles! We are currently conducting two online surveys: a general survey about your internet use and a survey about our August Science and Literacy Lessons and Activities article.
The general survey is accessible from the Beyond […]

Amazingly well-preserved moss and insect fossils discovered in the McMurdo Dry Valleys are providing a detailed look at Antarctica approximately 14.1 million years ago - just prior to an abrupt drop in temperature and transition from a cool tundra environment to a cold barren polar desert.
The fossils, found in ancient lake beds, are remarkable for […]

The Global Challenge is an online international competition that encourages learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students compete individually or as a team to create solutions to global warming and the future of energy. All high school students aged 14-17 worldwide are eligible to participate. The project can be completed through an after school […]

The 2008 Students on Ice youth expedition is now underway! The ship-based journey will explore southern Baffin Island, Nunavut and the northern reaches of Nunavik. 65 international students, aged 13-20, and a team of 30 scientists, polar experts, educators, artists and environmentalists. The team includes 22 northern aboriginal youth, as well as participants from Afghanistan, the […]

A new issue of the Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears magazine is ready to view! Issue Five, Water, Ice, and Snow, uses the polar regions to better understand the water cycle as well as states and changes of matter. As always, the issue includes:

Science and Literacy content knowledge
Misconceptions and assessment tools
Expository articles and differentiated text […]