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Icy ecosystems – introduction

Antarctica is the coldest, driest, windiest and highest continent on Earth. What makes the frozen continent so valuable to scientists and vulnerable to human contact? Every year, scientists and ...

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ARTICLE

Researching in Antarctica

Once a year, scientists Megan Balks and Jackie Aislabie from the University of Waikato venture to the coldest place on Earth, visiting climate research stations in Antarctica. They undertake a ...

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ARTICLE

New Zealand’s National Science Challenges

As New Zealanders looking to the future, we are faced with many opportunities – and challenges. These include improving the health of all our people, advancing our economic growth, protecting our ...

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ACTIVITY

Animal and plant adaptations

In this activity, students learn about animal and plant adaptations in Antarctic species and use these ideas to design their own unique animal or plant. By the end of this activity, students ...

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ACTIVITY

Investigating seawater

In this activity, students investigate some of the properties of seawater. By the end of this activity, students should be able to: discuss that salt dissolves in water explain that dissolved ...

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ACTIVITY

Water temperature

In this activity, students look at what happens when hot and cold water meet. By the end of this activity, students should be able to: discuss how temperature affects the density of water discuss ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Weddell Seals – Zooniverse

Weddell seals and orca are among the top predators in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica, and more than half of the Weddell seal population can be found in the Ross Sea. Information about changes ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Crabeater Seals – Tomnod

Antarctica’s crabeater seals are the focus of an international study led by the University of Canterbury. The aim is to understand potential environmental and social impacts on one of the ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Penguin Watch – Zooniverse

Help scientists establish valuable baseline data about the numbers, locations, habits and health of penguins in a range of Southern Ocean sites. This information will enable better understanding ...

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TEACHER PLD

Climate change resources – planning pathways

Climate change is one of the world’s big issues. It is also a big topic to tackle in the classroom. The Hub’s planning pathways interactive suggests ways in which climate change can be broken ...

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TEACHER PLD

H0 on the go – unit plan

About 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by water. It is found just about everywhere and is the only naturally occurring substance on Earth existing in solid, liquid and gas states. Water is ...

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TEACHER PLD

Biocontrol in action – unit plan

Students carry out a practical investigation to help AgResearch scientists monitor the spread of Microctonus aethiopoides (a tiny wasp) and its success as a biocontrol agent for clover root ...

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VIDEO

Greenhouse gases

This is a simple explanation of what greenhouse gases are and how they function. This one minute animated video from TVNZ demystifies some of the scientific and technical language.

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VIDEO

Ocean acidification

Our oceans are absorbing about one-third of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As a result, they are becoming more acidic. Associate Professor Abby Smith, from the University of Otago, is ...

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VIDEO

The Antarctic field toilet

To keep Antarctica as pristine as possible all impacts from human presence have to be kept to an absolute minimum, this includes human wastes. The field camp has an out-doors toilet that consists ...

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SLIDESHOW

Researching in Antarctica – slideshow

This slideshow presents images from Megan Balks and Jackie Aislabie's trips to Antarctica. Use the Slideshow menu for further options, including view full screen, and go here for the download ...

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SLIDESHOW

The benthic zone – slideshow

This short slideshow shows some of the animals found in the Antarctic benthic zone. Use the Slideshow menu for further options, including view full screen, and go here for the download option.

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SLIDESHOW

Weeds that threaten native ecosystems – slideshow

A slideshow of weeds and the adaptations that make them problematic in a New Zealand setting. Use the Slideshow menu for further options, including view full screen, and go here for the download ...

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