Frozen Oceans

Cross-curricular | Ages 7-11

  1. 1. What organisms live in the Arctic?
  2. 2. How do you train like an Arctic explorer?
  3. 3. How do you eat like an Arctic explorer?
  4. 4. How do humans and animals keep warm in the Arctic?
  5. 5. How is the Arctic changing?

How do you train like an Arctic explorer?

Part of:

AXA Ocean Education

Lesson overview

In this lesson students simulate the training of Arctic explorers to learn how lifestyles can affect physical and mental health. The lesson is introduced by Ann Daniels, a record-breaking polar explorer as the first woman in history, along with expedition teammate Caroline Hamilton, to reach the North and South Poles as part of all women teams.

Learning outcomes

  • Describe conditions in the Arctic
  • Describe some of the challenges of surviving in the Arctic
  • Explain why physical training is needed for Arctic explorers
  • Explain why mental training is needed for Arctic explorers

Lesson steps

  1. Brief from Ann Daniels (10 mins)
    Use the slides to set the context and share the learning outcomes.
    Understand the wider context and learning outcomes.
  2. Tyre dragging relay (20 mins)
    Students watch the Training for the Arctic in Devon video to introduce the activity. They simulate the training of Arctic explorers with a tyre dragging relay. Students consider the benefits of this training for explorers.
  3. Sleeping bag relay (20 mins)
    Students watch the Sleeping at -35 C video to introduce the activity. Students simulate the training of Arctic explorers with a sleeping bag relay. They consider the benefits of this training for explorers.
  4. Summary questions (5 mins)
    Students demonstrate their learning by answering two questions from a selection on the slides.
  5. Self-reflection (5 mins)
    Using slides, students consider what they learnt using their eyes, ears and bodies.