Write a letter to polar scientists
Looking for a way to connect your class with real scientists working in the field, and the amazing people that support science logistics? Why not ask your class to write a letter/question to a polar scientist?
We have a team of polar scientists and science support staff, based both in the UK and at research stations in Antarctica, who would love to receive your letters and answer any questions the kids might have. It’s a great way to improve writing skills and give the kids a chance to interact with polar professionals that have been, or are currently, in the field in Antarctica or the Arctic. We encourage you to be as creative as you like and steer the letter writing to whatever topic your class is working on. Drawings to accompany questions are always great! It’s as simple as writing a joint class letter/question/drawing and sending a digital copy to us for us to distribute to one of our Polar Pen Pals. At the moment, we need to restrict the Polar Pen Pal scheme to one joint letter per class, just to make sure we can cope with demand and don’t leave anyone disappointed.
Here are some topic suggestions to get your ideas for questions going:
- What is it like working out of a tent in the Antarctic?
- How do you stay warm when you’re out in the field?
- Does the weather affect what you can do each day?
- Why are polar animals so blubbery?
- What kind of plants do you find in the Antarctic?
- What’s your favourite part about working in the polar regions?
- How do the scientists get to the Antarctic each year?
We’d love to share our experiences in polar science with you, so do get in touch with us if you’d like to participate in our Polar Pen Pal project (education@polarnetwork.org)
You can download a flyer with this information here.
Language Polar Pen Pals
We’ve been teaming up with other APECS (Association of Polar Early Career Scientists) national committees to bring UK schools Language Polar Pen Pals!
We are collaborating with teams of polar scientists and science support staff, all over the world, who would love to receive your letters and answer any questions in other languages to support the MFL curriculum in the UK!
The project works in exactly the same way as our regular Polar Pen Pals project, but letters are sent and received in other languages. If you’d like to participate, contact education@polarnetwork.org!
See information for our French Polar Pen Pals below:
