Chapter 28: Oceania and Antarctica "Antarctica"

Introduction

In this chapter students read about Antarctica, the coldest place on Earth, and Oceania, which contains some of Earth's most beautiful tropical locations. Each year about 4,000 scientists are engaged in studying the continent of Antarctica. Its remote location and frigid temperatures can make life there dangerous.

Lesson Description

The Center for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica has put together a wonderful virtual tour of the continent. Students will begin in New Zealand and then travel to McMurdo Station and finally to the South Pole. The many photographs that accompany this tour make it very realistic. Encourage students to enlarge photographs so they can get a real sense of the eight-hour plane trip from New Zealand to McMurdo. They can also see the base hut built by Robert Falcon Scott's team of ill-fated explorers. After browsing through this site, students will answer questions and write a journal of their own expedition to Antarctica.

National Geography Standards:
Standard 4: The geographically informed person knows and understands the physical and human characteristics of places. Standard 15: The geographically informed person knows and understands how physical systems affect human systems.

Instructional Objectives

1. The student will be able to define important characteristics of Antarctica.
2. The student will be able to describe an expedition to Antarctica, including the weather, landscape, and interesting facts about the continent.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. New Zealand
2. It is the point that is furthest south, on solid ground, and that is accessible by ship.
3. The first to reach the South Pole were four Norwegians led by Roald Amundsen in 1911.
4. the Sahara
5. Students' journals will vary.

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