HMS Endurance brings Antarctica to the classroom
25 Feb 08
Round-the-world yachtswoman, Dame Ellen MacArthur and the Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship, HMS Endurance, have joined forces to breathe new life into science lessons for seven - eleven year olds.
HMS Endurance cutting through the ice in Antarctica
[Picture: MOD]
The project called "Big Freeze: Science from Antarctica", is a new educational partnership with the University of Portsmouth which will be launched in time to support National Science and Engineering Week from 7-16 March 2008.
HMS Endurance, which spends half of each year in the freezing conditions of Antarctica for unique surveying and scientific work, will be the focus of a series of downloadable worksheets that will allow pupils to build their own weather stations, create erupting volcanoes, and build and fly model albatrosses. The activities will all support Key Stage 2 National Curriculum objectives.
The downloadable worksheets and lesson plans for seven - 11 year olds will be available on the HMS Endurance Tracking Project and on the University of Portsmouth's website from Thursday 28 February 2008. See Related Links>>>
The University of Portsmouth is involved in the partnership through its "Up for It" Juniors scheme which is aimed at inspiring and engaging children. The scheme focuses on raising attainment and aspirations through a wide range of activities including visits to the University and the provision of exciting educational resources.
Dame Ellen MacArthur on Albatross Island
[Picture: Ellen MacArthur/Offshore Challenge Sailing Team]
As part of her role as an Honorary Royal Naval Reservist, Dame Ellen has joined forces with the Royal Navy and the University of Portsmouth in this unique project as she is passionately committed to raising awareness of the plight of the albatross in Antarctica. She said:
"I was lucky enough to spend time in Antarctica in 2005/6. It is a wonderful, wild unique place, so full of nature and history. Spending time on Albatross Island was magical, and I felt hugely privileged to spend some time with these magnificent birds. I could not believe how beautiful they are. I really had the impression that we were in their world.
"HMS Endurance gave me the chance to fly in one of their helicopters and this gave the island a whole new perspective for me, not only seeing the huge glaciers flowing across the island towards the sea, but to begin to comprehend the vastness of this awesome place.
"It really made me aware that we need to work hard to save these graceful and incredible birds by raising awareness of the dangers of long line fishing, the birds get caught on huge lines when trying to take bait from hooks - resulting in 10,000 deaths annually. The current trend will lead to extinction, so we need to give these birds the best chance we can."
HMS Endurance spends half a year, every year in Antarctica
[Picture: MOD]
Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, said:
"Improving our understanding of the natural world is a common theme of many of HMS Endurance's activities supporting the work of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Much of the work of BAS is concerned with understanding the Antarctic environment, leading to a greater awareness of the global ecosystem and the impact human activity has on it.
"I am immensely proud of the work Endurance is doing in Antarctica as she proves her flexibility and versatility, time and time again, making an important contribution to international co-operation and science, and now the National Science and Engineering Week."
Speaking from onboard HMS Endurance, Captain Bob Tarrant, commented,
"We are passionate about the role we play for the Royal Navy, which is unique amongst the world's navies, and the contribution that HMS Endurance makes to global scientific output and research.
"We are looking forward to supporting National Science Week with the University of Portsmouth and Dame Ellen MacArthur as our combined knowledge will really bring Antarctica to life, helping children to understand some of the issues this amazing continent currently faces."
The university's curriculum development co-ordinator Peter Wright said:
"These resources are all about doing science. Children get to see science in action in one of the most extreme environments on our planet and then they get to carry out their own experiments. So, whether it's making and using a wind vane or experimenting with their own volcano, they get to see science in context.
"The resources also contain an important environmental message, showing children how research in Antarctica tells us about climate change. There's also a focus on the plight of the albatross and how human activities are affecting the numbers of these majestic birds."