Principle #7: New technologies, sensors and tools — as well as new applications of existing technologies — are expanding scientists’ abilities to study the land, ice, ocean, atmosphere and living creatures of the Polar Regions
7A: Historically, Polar explorers took photographs and collected observational data (primarily atmospheric and meteorological observations) at various intervals during explorations to the Poles, providing a discrete understanding of the Poles.
7B: Today, scientists use satellites, drifting buoys, tethered buoys, subsea observatories, unmanned vehicles, automated weather stations, sensors, ice cores, airplanes, helicopters, magnetometers and more to constantly and remotely study the Poles.
- 7B-1: This baseline information is coupled with regular scientific explorations to the Poles to collect samples and measurements, including photographic evidence.
7C: Piecing together historical data recorded by early explorers with ice cores and sediment cores gives scientists an understanding of natural history.
- 7C-1: Combining current data with historical data, scientists can construct models to understand connections in the past and improve predictions of future environmental conditions at the Poles.
7D: Antarctica’s high elevation and dry atmosphere allow measurements of cosmic microwave background (fossil light from the early universe).
7E: Scientists measure the ice and snow levels over many decades to observe the impact of climate change in the Arctic landscape.
7F: Scientists are gathering genetic information across a range of Polar species, from DNA to the broad ecosystem.
- 7F-1: Genomic sequencing of polar species provides insight into complex biological processes and biotechnological exploitation (development of new drugs, bioremediation, food systems, etc.)
Scientist Spotlight
Related Resources
- Polar Data Stories – Interactive online actives featuring cool Polar research and data.
- I.D. Antarctica – Photographic mysteries of Antarctic animals for students to investigate.
- Project Swarm – A curriculum of lessons and data activities for middle and high school students featuring the influences of warming on the food web interactions between phytoplankton, krill and penguins
