International Polar Year
We have shot our bolt, and the tale is latitude 88 23’ South…. Whatever regrets may be, we have done our best.
Ernest Shackleton's diary entry for 09 January 1909. British Antarctic (Nimrod) Expedition 1907 –09
March 2007 to March 2009 marks the fourth ever International Polar Year (IPY). The first IPY was held in 1882/83 and followed by IPY’s in 1932/33 and 1957/58.
IPY is always held over two years because of the logistical and environmental constraints of working at the Poles. The first season is generally used to put the necessary data gathering equipment in place and then the following season the data is collected and analysed. The official IPY website is: www.ipy.org and you can get involved. IPY hold virtual "International Polar Days" every three months where you can get involved with specific aspects of polar research.
This IPY’s aim: to bring together thousands of international scientists from sixty countries to be involved in over 200 projects focused on the two Poles. Remember the Poles are often referred to as the “global barometers for the rest of the world” so this is a fantastic opportunity for the scientists to come together and share information about a broad range of topics.
The Trust has also being working with the New Zealand IPY Youth Steering Committee: www.ipyyouthnz.org. They aim to establish a network for polar researchers at the beginning of their careers and to get the message out about Antarctica to young people who might be interested in polar research.
One of their projects is bringing together information about the early expeditions. They have produced a section on "The Polar Regions: Discovery and Exploration" which includes a History Drama Resource for school children. It focuses on a play entitled "Ticket of Leave" which premiered in Antarctica on 25 June 1902 and was performed by members of Captain Scott's Discovery Expedition (1901-4).
Bringing the Southern Ocean into the classroom.
As part of the IPY, New Zealand has sent "The RV Tangaroa" to survey the marine environment of the Southern Ocean (the ocean which surrounds Antarctica). You can check out regular reports and updates on their website which includes science reports, photos, video and data from the ship and associated classroom activities. You can also find out a little more about the unique fungi found at the historic bases by scientists which features on our website "Unique Fungi Found at Historic Sites".