Immerse Your Students in Polar Science

Meet science standards in the context of Earth's Polar Regions and Climate Change

Engaging topics like polar bears, sediment cores, and glaciers help teach food webs, living things, erosion and the phases of water to name a few concepts. Students are always intrigued by the frozen worlds of the 'ends of the Earth' and now can participate in the International Polar Year (IPY) with SPRINTT [Student Polar Research with IPY National (and International) Teacher Training] sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Students in grades 5-10 will be introduced to the unique environments of the Arctic and Antarctic and use the lens of Alaska Natives to view current climate changes. Ultimately, your students will access real data collected by scientists and complete their own polar research projects.

How Does My School or District Participate?

Schools or districts agree to adopt SPRINTT as a part of the formal science curriculum-using SPRINTT curricular materials to meet local science standards in the context of Earth's poles. The minimum commitment is: 1) a 3-week introductory thematic unit in which students learn about Polar Regions (air, life, water, land) and, 2) student research projects using polar data sets in various scientific areas (Earth, life, and physical science). Teachers are trained in the program through a unique LIVE, online training experience during which they may virtually 'meet' researchers including scientists "on the ice" in Antarctica!

What will my students learn?

SPRINTT is an exceptional way to get students using real data for science fairs, exit projects, and research initiatives. They will use their inquiry skills and work on important process and technology standards.

Selected content topic areas in the SPRINTT curricular materials include:

Life Science:

Photosynthesis • Needs of Living Things • Food and Energy Transfer • Adaptation • Human Impacts on Environments • Conservation and Stewardship • Ecosystems and Biomes

Earth Science:

Landforms and Topography • Glaciers on Earth • Sea Ice • Weather and Climate • Ocean Currents • Greenhouse Gases • Earth History • Seasons • Albedo • Human Impacts on Environments

Physical Science:

Energy in the Earth System • Conduction, Convection, and Radiation • Electromagnetic Energy • Phases of Matter • Atoms and Molecules

What do I get?

Participation in SPRINTT is *free*!

• Standards and research-based curricular materials with a polar focus
• Ways to teach students how to conduct science research projects
• Access to real science data sets ready-to-use in the classroom
• Live, online training including interactions with scientists and educators LIVE (or recently returned) from Antarctica
• Ongoing support from experienced educators and scientists