This collection supports the House of Science resource kit Antarctica. This has the overarching theme of:

The Antarctic continent and its flora and fauna have a vital role in our ocean systems and climate regulation processes.

(https://houseofscience.nz/)

Resources are grouped according to the kit's student activities. Please refer to the notes for some of the science ideas and concepts that underlie the activities.

1. Poles Apart

Learning objective (levels 1–4)

Students develop an understanding of the harsh Antarctic environment and its inhabitants.

Despite extreme conditions Antarctica has thriving ecosystems on land and in the water.

Antarctica is an unlikely place to find plants, but they are there all right – mosses, lichens, algae and even flowering plants grow on the frozen continent.

Antarctica is home to many species including:

2. Ice Investigations

Part A: Observation

Learning objective (levels 1–4)

Students understand that:

  • water freezes at 0°C
  • ice is frozen water
  • heat is always transferred from a high temperature object to a low temperature object.

Explore the physical properties of water and how it freezes.

In this activity, students look at what happens when hot and cold water meet.

Part B: Sticky Ice

Learning objective (levels 2–4)

Students understand that adding salt to ice lowers its freezing point below 0°C.

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This activity enables students to see the impact of temperature on water density.

Part C: Making Frost

Learning objective (levels 2–4)

Students understand that water vapour present in the air will condense (change into a liquid) when it comes in contact with a cold surface and will then freeze if the temperature of the surface is below 0°C.

Part D: Cooling Liquids with Ice

Learning objective (levels 3 & 4)

Students understand that ice cools liquids because it melts.

3. Antarctic food chains

Part A: What’s for dinner?

Learning objective (2–4 levels)

Students understand that Antarctic food chains are dependent on the availability of krill.

Krill is one of the best-known Antarctic species of zooplankton and are the food source for a wide range of animals.

Part B: Antarctic Fisheries

Learning objective (levels 3 & 4)

Students understand the impacts of unsustainable fishing practices on Antarctic marine food chains and environment.

This article looks at a number of issues, including the impact of changing fishing practices.

4. Whales Feeding

Learning objective (levels 2–4)

Students understand that whales have different mouth structures that enable them to feed on different types and quantities of food.

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5. Surviving the Cold

Learning objective (levels 2–4)

Students understand some of the physical, chemical, and behavioural adaptations that allow for survival in the harsh Antarctic environment.

This literacy activity explores life in cold, dry climates and includes the opportunity to design a unique organism capable of living in these conditions.

This article looks at different forms of heat loss in a very cold environment, Antarctica. Check out Building Science Concept book 47 Insulation for more activity ideas.

6. Climate Regulation

Learning objective (levels 3 & 4)

Students understand the vital role that Antarctica plays in regulating the global climate system.

Related activities

Explore the issues of melting ice and climate change with these activities:

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