Antarctica: a WebQuest

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

Introduction

Task 1 - Climate

Task 2 - Wildlife

Task 3 - Human Activities

Task 4 - The Future

Conclusion

Evaluation

 

 

 

Human Activities in Antarctica

It was less than 200 years ago that exploration of Antarctica first took place.  During this time humans have explored the continent; plundered the seals and whales; carried out mining and oil exploration; visited as tourists; established scientific research bases; and fought out conservation issues.  The human involvement in Antarctica has resulted in changes to the environment.

Camp in Antarctica                                Tourist ship

Task 3

For this task you will need to find out what have been the effects of human activities in Antarctica.  Look at the positive and negative effects of each activity.

Process

For Task 3 and Task 4 you will be in a group of 5 students.  Each student will choose one of the following human activities: mining and oil exploration; fishing (including sealing and whaling); tourism; scientific studies; and conservation.  You will need to fill in the following chart and answer three questions.

  1. What have been the positive effects of this activity?
  2. What have been the problems caused by this activity? (waste disposal, oil spills, killing the wildlife, etc)
  3. What is being done to overcome these problems?

By clicking on each activity you will be directed to a website.  Check out the resources for other websites, and books.

Human Activity 1. Positive effects 2. Problems caused 3. Overcome the problems
Mining and oil exploration

 

      
Fishing (sealing and whaling)

 

      
Tourism

 

 

      
Scientific studies

 

 

      
Conservation

 

 

      

Resources

Antarctic Adventure - Human Presence

Antarctic: The End of the Earth

Engineering in the Antarctic

Greenpeace Antarctica

Human Involvement and Impact in Antarctica

Other Resources

Hooper, M. 1997. Journey to Antarctica. Scholastic Australia, Gosford.

Kriewaldt, J. 1997. Australian Issues Collection: Antarctica. McGraw-Hill, Sydney.

Lucas, M. 1996. Antarctica. New Holland, London.

McDonald, K. 1996. Antarctica. Reed Library, Melbourne.

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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.