March 5, 2013
Antarctica is one of the most fragile ecosystems on Earth. From penguins protectively
taking care of their chicks to killer whales gliding through perfectly reflective water,
Antarctica is teeming with life and filled with natural beauty. Unfortunately, due to its
location, Antarctica’s temperature is rising several times faster than the global average.
Climate change threatens the survival of the wildlife that calls Antarctica home. We had
the privilege of visiting Antarctica as high school students with Students on Ice in 2011.
Students on Ice is an award-winning Canadian organization founded by Geoff Green that
has taken 2000 young people from over 50 different countries to the Antarctic and the
Arctic since 1999.
We would like to invite young people from around the world to participate in our 20132014 Act for Antarctica campaign. For this youth-led campaign, elementary and high
school students will learn about the polar regions and undertake acts to fight for their
preservation. Students can participate in either of the following categories:
1-Lifestyle change
The student commits to modifying an aspect of their lifestyle for one week.
Ideas: Remembering to turn off the lights when leaving the house, shortening daily
showers by five minutes, biking to school, carpooling with friends to events, etc.
2-Conservation project
The student engages in a conservation project or awareness/educational activity with a
group/class or as an individual.
Ideas: Recycling project, park or beach cleanup, Earth Hour (turning off the lights to raise
awareness about energy conservation), writing letters to government agencies or
newspapers to advocate Antarctica’s protection, creating environmental or polar-themed
art, research projects about Antarctic animals or about climate change, giving
presentations about Antarctica to a younger grade, fundraising for an environmental
charity, planting trees, etc.
If you are interested in being part of this project, please email the following information
to daleah@wharton.upenn.edu:
-Number of students
-Grade and school of participants
-A description of the “act for Antarctica”
-One or more photographs of the students in action
Our goal is to reach 1000 acts for Antarctica by March 1, 2014! To find out more about
Students on Ice, the global importance of Antarctica, and this campaign, visit
www.studentsonice.com and www.actforantarctica.com. We would be more than happy
to arrange a Skype call or presentation with your group or send you a free copy of our
Antarctica: To Be Inspired anthology, filled with the writing, art, and photography of the
youth and staff on the 2011 SOI expedition. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any
questions or concerns. Please “like” us on Facebook to help spread our message.
Thank you for your support in protecting the poles and planet!
Leah Davidson, Rada Ilieva, Briana Kowal, Laurissa Christie, and Jayden Rae
Prize list
-March of the Penguins DVD
-Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series DVD
-Happy Feet DVD
-CanonPowerShot digital camera
-Gift certificate to Mountain Equipment Co-op
-Scholastic gift certificate
-HOME documentary DVD
-World Without Fish
-Not Your Typical Book About the Environment
-Subscription to National Geographic Kids (10 issues)
-Environment-themed book collection: Hoot, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and Polar Bears on
the Path (Animal Ark)
-Patagonia clothing
-EcoJot gift certificate
-Penguin stuffed animal
-3 EcoJoia T-shirts
-2 reusable lunch box kits
-3 Penguin-Pedia books
-3 New Wave water bottles
-3 bobbles
-Ecogear backpack
-Lowepro sling bag
-Soap and beauty products
-Gift certificate to the Antarctic Connection
-Stuffed animals
-Chic reusable bags
-AusPen refillable markers and whiteboard
-And many more
Resource list
Here are some resources to help educate students on the polar regions:
Education
-Students on Ice Educational Resources
http://www.studentsonice.com/index.php?content=education_overview/
Exercises on Antarctica and the Arctic with links to relevant sites
-EducaPoles – International Polar Foundation’s Educational Site
http://www.educapoles.org/
Animations, stories, and videos on polar science for kids
-British Antarctic Survey Antarctic Schools Pack
http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/about_antarctica/teacher_resources/resources/schoolspack/in
dex.php/
Educational resource launched by the Commissioner for British Antarctic Territory
containing a wide variety of free lesson plans
-Cool Antarctica
http://www.coolantarctica.com/
General information and photographs
-2041 Journey to Antarctica
education.2041.com/
Flexible curriculum targeting elementary school students
-Learning Resources: PolarTREC
http://www.polartrec.com/resources/
Activities, lessons, audio, and presentations created by teachers who worked alongside
researchers in the Arctic and the Antarctic
Activism
-Antarctic Ocean Alliance
antarcticocean.org/
Sign the petition to protect Antarctica’s ocean
Many thanks to the following partners and sponsors: