IPF participates in Antarctic Open Days in Edinburgh
Liz Pasteur and Kids
© IPF
The International Polar Foundation UK (IPF UK) helped to present a series of Antarctic Open Days organised by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and UK Polar Network (UKPN) at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Polar scientists were on hand to describe the wonders of working in the extreme Antarctic and Arctic environment and the important research which they undertake. Visitors tried on polar clothing and were able to go inside an Antarctic pyramid tent and see the rations that the scientists eat. They could also have their photo taken next to a life-sized penguin.
Demonstrations using the IPF polar puzzles were given to show the main features of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Looking at sea ice in both regions was an interesting focus, with the puzzles clearly show the alarming decrease in multi-year ice in the Arctic. Removal of sections of the puzzles allowed visitors to see what the Antarctic would look like without the ice sheets and to see the sub-glacial lakes which are currently of major interest to scientists.
Other visual and hands-on displays included fossils, marine samples, posters and videos. Photographs of different science jobs and research stations provided inspiration for some participants to draw their own design of a research station in Antarctica.
The Open Days took place from 12-14th July 2011 and were linked to the International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences, where more than 500 scientists from all over the world gathered to share their newest research results.
