EDUCATION
“We’ll produce blog reports as we progress: and then we’re looking at webcams, video streaming. There will also be data collection for classrooms, so that kids can track the expedition and follow some of the educational science we produce; we’re working on quite a few elements to make it interesting for all sorts of people.” Andrew Regan
A core aim of the expedition is to educate the public about the importance of Antarctica to the future of our planet. The team will carry out a series of scientific experiments which will illustrate how the fate of Antarctica affects the rest of the world and explain some of the work being done by research scientists.
As the expedition progresses, the public will be able to watch the results unfold on the expedition website. Grouped into three categories: sub-surface, surface and atmosphere, each project will be backed up by clear and engaging explanations to ensure that everyone is able to understand the larger scientific issues revealed by the experiments. Each project will also be accompanied by student and teacher resources so that the information provided by the experiments can be used by teachers in the classroom and scientists in outreach programmes.
We at the Moon Regan TransAntarctic Expedition have been following closely the success and growth of the website breathingearth.net. To visit the breathingearth.net website and following the worlds population please click here: www.breathingearth.net
Atmosphere »
The team will make meteorological observations, monitor UV levels and use weather balloons to create an atmospheric profile. They will also test the efficiency of bio-fuels in extreme conditions.
Surface and sub-surface »
Deep snow pits will be dug to assess the layers of snow that have fallen over recent years, and the team will measure the reflectivity of different snow surfaces (known as albedo).
The experiments will demonstrate how Antarctica’s atmosphere and structure affects the rest of the world, and show how climate changes on the planet have begun to affect the continent in adverse ways.
The ice caps’ distinctive atmosphere and structure are vital in maintaining the environmental balance throughout the world but the faster the planet heats up, the quicker its natural air-conditioning unit will begin to fail. And it’s only through understanding of this process that we will be able to change it.
Syllabus Information
With education a key focus of the Moon-Regan Trans Antarctic Expedition here you will find information to assist with keys questions on Antarctica within the National Curriculum
Atmosphere
Measuring viscosity of fluid and flame points at varying air pressures, altitude and temperatures to demonstrate the performance and capability of bio-fuels.
Surface and sub-surface
By digging beneath the snow surface of Antarctica, the expedition will reveal the climate of the past. Each season the snow that falls in Antarctica forms a fresh layer on the ground.
EXPEDITION
Andrew Moon and Andrew Regan will endeavour to cross the continent of Antarctica from the west coast to the South Pole...
