Antarctica
This collection supports the House of Science resource kit Antarctica. This has the overarching theme of:
The Antarctic continent and its flora and fauna have a vital role in our ocean systems and climate regulation processes.
Resources are grouped according to the kit's student activities. Please refer to the notes for some of the science ideas and concepts that underlie the activities.
1. Poles Apart
Learning objective (levels 1–4)
Students develop an understanding of the harsh Antarctic environment and its inhabitants.
Antarctic life and ecosystems
Despite extreme conditions Antarctica has thriving ecosystems on land and in the water.
Plants on ice
Antarctica is an unlikely place to find plants, but they are there all right – mosses, lichens, algae and even flowering plants grow on the frozen continent.
Antarctica is home to many species including:
2. Ice Investigations
Part A: Observation
Learning objective (levels 1–4)
Students understand that:
- water freezes at 0°C
- ice is frozen water
- heat is always transferred from a high temperature object to a low temperature object.
Water and ice
Explore the physical properties of water and how it freezes.
Water temperature
In this activity, students look at what happens when hot and cold water meet.
Part B: Sticky Ice
Learning objective (levels 2–4)
Students understand that adding salt to ice lowers its freezing point below 0°C.
Temperature, salinity and water density
This activity enables students to see the impact of temperature on water density.
Part C: Making Frost
Learning objective (levels 2–4)
Students understand that water vapour present in the air will condense (change into a liquid) when it comes in contact with a cold surface and will then freeze if the temperature of the surface is below 0°C.
Part D: Cooling Liquids with Ice
Learning objective (levels 3 & 4)
Students understand that ice cools liquids because it melts.
3. Antarctic food chains
Part A: What’s for dinner?
Learning objective (2–4 levels)
Students understand that Antarctic food chains are dependent on the availability of krill.
Antarctic zooplankton
Krill is one of the best-known Antarctic species of zooplankton and are the food source for a wide range of animals.
Part B: Antarctic Fisheries
Learning objective (levels 3 & 4)
Students understand the impacts of unsustainable fishing practices on Antarctic marine food chains and environment.
Human impacts on marine environments
This article looks at a number of issues, including the impact of changing fishing practices.
4. Whales Feeding
Learning objective (levels 2–4)
Students understand that whales have different mouth structures that enable them to feed on different types and quantities of food.
5. Surviving the Cold
Learning objective (levels 2–4)
Students understand some of the physical, chemical, and behavioural adaptations that allow for survival in the harsh Antarctic environment.
Animal and plant adaptations
This literacy activity explores life in cold, dry climates and includes the opportunity to design a unique organism capable of living in these conditions.
Insulation
This article looks at different forms of heat loss in a very cold environment, Antarctica. Check out Building Science Concept book 47 Insulation for more activity ideas.
6. Climate Regulation
Learning objective (levels 3 & 4)
Students understand the vital role that Antarctica plays in regulating the global climate system.
Related activities
Explore the issues of melting ice and climate change with these activities:
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