What Happens At the Poles Affects Us All is the theme of the March 15-19 celebration of the International Polar Year. Among the offerings are virtual balloon launches, web casts from a major science conference about the Arctic, preparation for an international science conference this summer, classroom lessons, and lists of resources and activities.

Examples include:

–classroom activities, which include learning about the polar vortex and what effect it has on the destruction of the ozone layer above Antarctica and discovering the causes and consequences of sea level rise.

–a virtual balloon launch to show the involvement of communities around the world.

–public lectures in several countries to share research.

–real-time web casts from the State of the Arctic Conference in Miami on March 16-19.

–a wide range of links and resources related to the polar regions.

A downloadable flyer is available to promote the polar themes with colleagues and the general community.

If you have any plans or questions for the March IPY Polar Week, contact Nicola Munro at ipy1@bas.ac.uk