Antarctica: a WebQuest

Why is Antarctica important? Why do we need to protect it?

The climate in Antarctica

A blizzard in Antarctica

"How cold is it in Antarctica?

It's so cold you have to climb into the freezer with the ice-cream to get warm!"

(Captain of the icebreaker, Aurora Australis, Voyage 2, 1994)

Task One

Design an illustrated brochure outlining the dangers of the climate in Antarctica, and an itemised list of essential clothing for your trip. This brochure will be given to every new expeditioner who visits Antarctica.

Process

There are two parts to this task. One is describing the elements of the climate and; two is the clothing that is essential for this environment.

	Climate Describe the temperatures in summer and winter; the precipitation; the kalabatic winds; the windchill effect; blizzards and white outs. Explain how these factors are dangerous to humans in Antarctica.
	Clothing Select and describe the clothing necessary for humans in Antarctica. You will need four layers of clothing to keep the body warm as well as to keep the warm air from escaping. Remember items for the hands, feet and head especially the skin and eyes.

Resources

Antarctica: the frozen continent at the South Pole

Australian Antarctic Division

Clothing in Antarctica

Dress your scientist

Surviving the cold

Other Resources

Hooper, Meredith 1997. Journey to Antarctica. Scholastic Australia.

Kriewaldt, Jeana, 1997. Australian Issues Collection: Antarctica. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Sydney.

McDonald, Kellie, 1996. Antarctica, The World's Remote and Wild Places. Reed Library, Port Melbourne

Next page

This WebQuest has been designed by Wendy Kemp for the subject 81529 Supervised Project 1 at the University of Southern Queensland.
For problems or questions regarding this web contact wkemp@tig.com.au
Last updated: May 10, 2001.