AXA Arctic Live is a free live education event linking students with polar scientists and explorers from 4-15 May, 2020.  

Broadcasting over 20 live lessons to homes and schools worldwide, it is based on the world’s most northernly live education event.  Due to the COVID-19 crisis and impacted travel restrictions, this year's broadcasts will be operated virtually, supported by guidance for educators and parents who will be joining in from their homes.

The first week will focus on life and work in the Arctic, with the second exploring the issues facing this fragile ecosystem.  Speakers will be joining in for the virtual events from their current locations.

The live lessons offer teachers a fresh way to build knowledge, practice working scientifically, inspire STEM careers and develop environmental stewardship. They are also a great way to deliver education for the UN Sustainable Development Goals particularly SDG 13 on climate change and SDG 14 on the ocean.   

The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. As a sentinel system, it acts as an early warning in predicting the effects of climate change everywhere else. The research team from University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory will be discussing pressing global issues such as marine microplastics and ocean acidification during the lessons.     

Book a range of free Arctic live lessons, from expert interviews to live investigations and Arctic Q&A sessions. Each broadcast has a host of supporting teacher resources, activities, galleries and virtual reality content. 

Don’t miss out and book today, as spaces are limited!  Priority will be given to those classes that book and send in their questions first. 

For more information, contact us on: [email protected]  

About the expedition 

As the fastest changing environment in the world, the Arctic is a critical area for scientific research. Encounter Edu is working in partnership with leading marine scientists, Dr Ceri Lewis and Dr Helen Findlay of the University of Exeter and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory respectively to provide education outreach for the field science. Entering the last year of a three-year investigation, the science team was slated to investigate marine microplastics and ocean acidification, which are leading factors putting the Arctic marine environment at risk.  The expedition has been postponed until further notice.

AXA Ocean Education:  

As part of AXA’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, it has supported ocean science research and education outreach since 2009. Working in partnership with Encounter Edu, AXA Ocean Education has reached 5.8m students from 96 different countries. To learn more visit: https://encounteredu.com/partn... 

About AXA XL

AXA XL, the property & casualty and specialty risk division of AXA, provides insurance and risk management products and services for mid-sized companies through to large multinationals, and reinsurance solutions to insurance companies globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit oceanseducation.com  

Encounter Edu  

Encounter Edu designs and runs integrated STEM and Global Citizenship educational programs using live expedition broadcasts, virtual exchanges and virtual reality. Children access inspiring experiences to become critical thinkers. Teachers are supported through an online library of resources and training to run meaningful encounters run in the classroom.