Antarctica’s Climate Secrets – Poster 1
Antarctica Today
Antarctica’s Climate Secrets – Poster 1
Antarctica Today
Background
Antarctica is a remote and mysterious place. It was not discovered until 1820,
and people are still learning about it. Compared with Earth’s other continents,
Antarctica is unusual. Instead of being covered by soil and plants, almost all of
its land is covered with snow and ice. Also, huge areas of the ocean surface
around Antarctica freeze each winter, then melt again in the summer. As a
result, the solid ice surface that is considered part of the continent grows and
shrinks throughout the year. Because Antarctica is centered on the South Pole,
it experiences nearly six months of darkness every year, followed by almost six
months of daylight.
Only a few thousand people visit Antarctica in any year. No matter how long
they stay, visitors to this continent always rely on outside sources of food and
energy, much like the astronauts who spend time living on the International
Space Station.
Poster Discussion Guide
Divide students into small groups. Give each group a slip of paper with one of
the following questions on it. Using the poster, have them discuss their question
and then share their thoughts with the whole group.
1. What are the differences between East and West Antarctica?
2. Antarctica has been described as a continent of superlatives. (words
ending in “est” are often superlatives) Discuss the three superlatives on
the poster. Do any of them surprise you? Can you think of any other
superlatives to describe Antarctica?
3. What questions do you have when you look at this poster?
4. If the poster is the answer, what question does it answer?
5. What adaptations do humans need to have to survive in such an
extreme environment?
6. What adaptations help animals live in Antarctica?
7. Why do scientists go to Antarctica?
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Antarctica’s Climate Secrets – Poster 1
Adapting to the polar environment
Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, driest continent on Earth. How in the world
can life survive in such a harsh place? Animals that live in Antarctica have
adapted to the conditions there. Over time, the animals that had the best
features and strategies for dealing with the cold, wind, and dryness are the
ones that were able to thrive and reproduce. Their bodies and behaviors are
adapted to the harsh conditions.
On the other hand, humans have been coming to Antarctica for less than 200
years. Their adaptations to the cold are things they bring with them. From coats
and gloves to specially designed buildings and vehicles, people use technology
and outside resources to help them survive. In addition to the extreme cold,
humans also have to cope with the isolation that comes with living in Antarctica.
Activity: Polar Opposites
The “ends” of Earth are its Polar Regions. The region around the North Pole is
called the Arctic. Its name comes from the fact that the stars above it form
a constellation once known as Arctos. The region surrounding the South Pole
is directly opposite from the Arctic, so it is called the anti-Arctic, or Antarctic.
Though their names are opposites of each other, the two regions have
similarities as well as differences. Take a look at both Polar Regions on a globe.
Everything inside the Arctic Circle is part of the Arctic Region; everything inside
the Antarctic Circle is in the Antarctic Region.
Materials
You will need the following
materials for this activity:
• Two overlapping circles, each
about 1 meter (3 feet) in
diameter (Circles can be made
with hula hoops, chalk, white
board, chalkboard, tape, etc.)
• Scissors
• Optional: double-stick tape,
Velcro, or stick-on magnetic
strips
A Venn Diagram is a graphical way to show how two things are different and
how they are the same. In this activity, students sort pictures showing polar
features into three categories: Arctic, Antarctic, and Both Polar Regions.
Arctic
Prepare
Both
1. Divide the class into groups and have each group make a Venn
Diagram. The two circles should be set up so that about one-third of
their areas overlap. The area of overlap represents things that are
found in Both polar regions.
2. Have students make three labels (Arctic, Antarctic, and Both) and place
them in the appropriate area of their diagrams.
3. Reproduce and cut out the Polar Picture Cards along the dotted lines.
Give a set to each group.
4. Have the groups discuss each Polar Picture Card, one at a time, and
decide where it belongs on their Venn Diagram.
5. Encourage groups to share their reasons for placing the cards where
they did. Discuss any pictures that groups could not reach consensus on.
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Antarctic
Since the circles represent the North
Polar and South Polar Regions, set
up the Venn Diagram so that the
Arctic circle is to the north (on top),
and the Antarctic circle is to the
south (on the bottom).
Antarctica’s Climate Secrets – Poster 1
Polar Picture Card Explanations
Here’s how the Polar Picture Cards should be sorted:
14. ARCTIC - Except in specially protected areas,
hunting, fishing, and mining are permitted in
the Arctic.
1. BOTH - Seals live in the Arctic and the
Antarctic.
2. ARCTIC - Polar bears live only in the Arctic.
15.BOTH - Both the Arctic and the Antarctic
experience approximately 6 months of daylight
in the summer.
3. ANTARCTIC - Penguins live around the coasts
of Antarctica and other southern continents
and islands.
4. ARCTIC - Walruses, with their long, white
tusks, live only in northern waters.
5. BOTH - Whales live in waters of both the Arctic
and Antarctic.
6. BOTH - Icebergs form in both Polar
Regions — they are chunks of ice that
originally formed from snow on land.
16.BOTH - The Arctic and the Antarctic both
experience approximately 6 months of
darkness in the winter.
17. ARCTIC - The Arctic Ocean is surrounded by
land.
18.ANTARCTIC - Antarctica is land surrounded by
ocean.
19. BOTH - Auroras - bright, shimmering sheets
of light caused by interactions between
particles from the sun and Earth’s magnetic
field - are seen in both hemispheres.
7. ANTARCTIC - Every October since 1985,
instruments have detected a reduction in the
ozone concentration over Antarctica.
8. ANTARCTIC - Mt. Erebus in Antarctica is the
world’s southernmost active volcano.
20.ARCTIC - since 1993, sled dogs have been
banned in Antarctica because the canine
disease, distemper, can spread to Antarctica’s
seals.
9. BOTH - Cruise ships regularly take
passengers to see the beauty of both Polar
Regions.
21. ARCTIC - Military bases are common in the
Arctic, but are prohibited in Antarctica.
10.BOTH - Icebreakers are used in both Polar
Regions to carve paths through sea ice.
22.BOTH - Scientists actively study both of Earth’s
Polar Regions.
11. ARCTIC - Cities inside the Arctic Circle have a
total population over 3 million.
12. ANTARCTIC - There are no permanent human
residents in Antarctica, only visitors.
13. ANTARCTIC - Hunting, fishing, and mining are
prohibited in the Antarctic.
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23.ANTARCTIC - The South Pole is located in
Antarctica.
24.ARCTIC - The North Pole is located in the
Arctic.
5
1
Whales
Seals
6
2
Icebergs
Polar bears
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Penguins
Regularly experiences an
ozone hole
7
3
8
4
Volcanoes
Walruses
Antarctica’s Climate Secrets – Poster 1
Cut out cards along the dotted line…
13
9
Protected
Cruise Ship
14
10
Not Protected
Ice breaker
15
6 months of daylight
Permanent home to
over 3 million humans
11
16
12
6 months of darkness
Permanent home to
zero humans
Antarctica’s Climate Secrets – Poster 1
Cut out cards along the dotted line…
Page 5
22
21
Scientists
Land surrounded by Ocean
Ocean surrounded by Land
Military Presence
18
17
23
19
The South Pole
Auroras
24
20
The North Pole
Dogs Pulling Sleds
Antarctica’s Climate Secrets – Poster 1
Cut out cards along the dotted line…
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About Antarctica Today
Antarctica Today is one of five banners produced for the Antarctica’s Climate Secrets project.
The project offers a complete set of hands-on activities, video podcasts, and museum-quality
banner graphics that feature scientific research in Antarctica.
The package is designed for students or youth groups to complete the learning activities,
and then use their banners, props, and models to host an informal science event. The event is
called a Flexhibit – a flexible exhibit that can work in museums, schools, and other venues. At
their Flexhibit, youth are the expert presenters, explaining what they’ve learned and doing
demonstrations to share their knowledge.
Electronic copies of Antarctica’s Climate Secrets materials can be downloaded for free. For your
convenience, hard copies of the banners and activity book can be ordered and shipped to you
at cost. Access the materials and order form at:
http://www.andrill.org/flexhibit/
For questions or further information, contact Louise Huffman, ANDRILL Coordinator of
Education and Outreach, at [email protected].
© Copyright 2008 University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, Nebraska
Permission is given to reproduce these pages for educational use.