Antarctica Day flag schools have live link with Princess Elisabeth Station
Alexander Mangold speaks to pupils at Findern Primary School
© Caroline Preston
A selection of schools whose pupils had designed Antarctica Day flags had the opportunity to link up to the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica station by skype. Pupils were able to speak directly to a scientist, engineer and teacher at the station and ask their own questions.
Pupils from Calow Primary School in Chesterfield, UK spoke with engineer Johnny Gaelens. They asked him about climate change and also what it is like living in Antarctica. “It was a huge success!!.. thank you so much for setting up such a amazing experience for Calow pupils and myself of course!” said teacher Meloney Winstanley after the skype call. “Johnny was just brilliant and so patient with the questions.”
Alexander Mangold, who is researching the Antarctic atmosphere using instruments at the station, spoke with pupils from Findern Primary school, Derby, UK. The pupils asked a lot of questions about life in Antarctica and his work there. “The call was amazing. Alexander was very informative and even showed us around the station. The children learnt lots of new facts and were really excited to talk to Alexander all the way from Antarctica,” said teacher Caroline Preston.
Roger Radoux, the teacher and winner of the Polar Quest 2 competition, is currently at the Princess Elisabeth Station and he spoke on skype with his school the Athénée Royal d'Ans and the Collège/Institut Saint-Louis in Waremme, Belgium. You can read about that in French here. Roger also launched a flag on a meteorological balloon – you can see his video here. Several Flemish schools also made flags and Johnny Gaelens had a skype call with GBS Evergem in Belgium.
Flags designed by students from around the world were taken to the Princess Elisabeth Station to celebrate Antarctica Day on December 1st. This day is to recognise the peaceful governance of the Antarctic continent by the Antarctic Treaty System, now signed by over 50 nations. Over one hundred flags from 26 countries, including flags drawn at an International Polar Foundation event in Cape Town, were flown at the station. The flag activity was organised in collaboration with Our Spaces.
A photograph of the flags in Antarctica and a signed certificate from the station was sent to participating schools.
The Education team at IPF would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making Antarctica Day a wonderful experience for so many people. Don't forget to look at the photo gallery !
