The icy continent surrounding the South Pole is called Antarctica. Its name means “opposite to the Arctic,” referring to the region around the North Pole. Antarctica is a cold and forbidding land that has no permanent human population and is almost devoid of animal or plant life. However, the ocean surrounding Antarctica teems with life.
The following activities and resources are designed for learners at primary and middle school levels.
Resource Packs
The Britannica “Antarctica” resource packs are accessible to schools who are subscribed to the Australian, New Zealand, Asian, UK and US versions of Britannica School. They contain age-appropriate articles, images, websites or videos on the geography, climate and wildlife on Antarctica, Earth’s most isolated continent.
Resource Pack Links:
Britannica School (Australia) Primary level resource pack↗
Britannica School (Australia) Middle level resource pack↗
Britannica School (New Zealand) Primary level resource pack↗
Britannica School (New Zealand) Middle level resource pack↗
Britannica School (UK) Foundation level resource pack↗
Britannica School (UK) Intermediate level resource pack↗
Britannica School (US) Elementary level resource pack↗
Britannica School (US) Middle level resource pack↗
Britannica School (Asia) Elementary level resource pack↗
Britannica School (Asia) Middle level resource pack↗
Britannica School (Asia version in China) Elementary level resource pack ↗
Britannica School (Asia version in China) Middle level resource pack ↗
Activity
- Examine an Antarctic explorer using the pack materials. Write a diary entry from a day in the life of an explorer describing what might have happened during your expedition.
- Animals have adapted to the cold harsh conditions of the Antarctic, especially penguins. Identify the adaptations penguins have developed to survive these conditions, complete the table.
- Antarctica does not belong to any one nation, The Antarctic Treaty is essential to any discussion or decisions related to Antarctica. Think about how Antarctica is linked to conservation. Create a mind map summarising how Antarctica is used for conservation and any current threats e.g. Whaling, Mining, Pollution and Fishing to this purpose.
Featured Image from BRITANNICA SCHOOL: Adélie penguins and leopard seals. Photo by: Stockbyte/Thinkstock. Accessed 19 Feb. 2021.
These activities and resources have been created using content from Britannica School, the go-to site for safe, comprehensive student research. Contact your librarian to find out if your institution already has access. Find out more about Britannica School or set up your own free trial.
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