Svalbard is the fastest warming place on the planet. In this live lesson, students will learn how the environment surrounding the UK Arctic Research Station has changed over the past decades. After a discussion about how these changes make them feel, students will be introduced to an Arctic conservationist who will speak about the work that is being done to conserve this unique place. The final section of the lesson will look at actions that we can all take to protect the Arctic into the future.
If you have never joined a live lesson before, visit the support centre, where you can find a range of technical and educational information.
Live lessons work best when students have some prior knowledge and have prepared questions. You can select from any of the STEAM activities in the Frozen Oceans collection or teach a one-off Arctic Live prep lesson.
Questions generated by your class can be submitted via the Encounter Live tab in your profile.
1. Introduction (5 mins)
Jamie will open the session with a welcome to the Arctic and the UK Arctic Research Station. He will give an overview of the lesson and shout-outs to participating schools.
2. Exploring the Arctic (15 mins)
We will visit the area surrounding Ny Alesund, the location of the UK Arctic Research Station on Svalbard, and learn about this beautiful place, and how it has changed over the past decades. Students will be able to use polls to share how they feel about the environment and how it is changing.
3. Caring for the Arctic (15 mins)
We meet a polar conservationist and find out about some of the work being done to preserve these important and beautiful regions of the world. This will flow into a guided activity looking at how students can act to care for the Arctic.
4. Q&A (10 mins)
After the activity, the team will answer students’ questions submitted via the live chat before suggesting other activities classes may wish to try.
Jamie Buchanan-Dunlop
Executive Director, Encounter Edu
Rebecca Konijnenberg
Data Scientist, Alfred Wegener Institute
Nick Cox
Station Manager, UK Arctic Research Station, British Antarctic Survey
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