Record numbers of UK schools involved in the UKPN Antarctic Flags Project 2024/25!

September 8, 2025

This year (2024-25) has been another record breaking year for our Antarctic Flags programme. Over 1200 individual flags were sent down with Antarctic scientists from 312 schools! Children got to see their creative designs at a variety of bases and on the icebreaker ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough. This was also the longest Antarctic season for UK scientists with flags joining Antarctic scientists into the beginning of the Antarctic winter.

A man holding a flag with an outline of the Antarctic continent and a penguin on it. He is stood on a rocky outcrop overlooking a moutainous scene, with sea in a bay beyond and lots of buildings/boats (Signy research station) — *Rob Sutton holding a flag submitted by Our Lady & St Patrick’s College at Signy Research Station*

UKPN’s flagship Antarctic Flags scheme gives schools the opportunity to supplement lessons about Antarctica with the chance to send a flag design to be photographed in Antarctica. Schools determine their flag selection process which may include a student competition or collaboration. UKPN facilitates the programme, including liaising with scientists and staff heading to Antarctica each year. Other national committees of APECS have been inspired by the model to launch similar initiatives within their countries.

A female scientist stood in a snowy scene in front of a blue and red capsule research station. — *Millie Bond holding a flag submitted by St Augustines school at Halley research station.*

If you’d like to get involved in the next season see more information here and get in touch via antarctica-day@polarnetwork.org.

A smiling figure dressed in reflective warm clothing in a snowy scene next to the sea. — *Dr Nisha Mistry holding a flag submitted by Budmouth Academy on Coronation Island, the South Orkney Islands.*