NSF's Objectives in Antarctica,
and PTK's Goals for Live From Antarctica 2
Here's how NSF's Office of Polar Programs describes the United States
Antarctic Research Program:
The United States Antarctic Research Program aims to increase understanding
of the Antarctic region and its relationship to the rest of the planet.
This research is the major focus of the "United States Antarctic
Program", the comprehensive name for United States Government-sponsored
activities in Antarctica. The Foundation funds and manages the Antarctic
program in support of the range of United States interests and the Nation's
adherence to the Antarctic Treaty.
What follows are objectives for science programs most directly involved
in research at Palmer Station or on board the Polar Duke.
Marine Biology
The oceans around Antarctica make up one of the world's most productive
regions. Objectives are to understand the structure and function of Antarctic
marine ecosystems; to determine the major features and adaptations of
organisms; and to add to knowledge of their distribution, abundance, and
dynamics.
Physical and Chemical Oceanography
The southern ocean has a central role in the world ocean...making the
southern ocean a major source of the world's intermediate and deep water
masses. Huge changes in the extent of sea ice (varying annually between
4 and 20 million square kilometers) also influence energy transfer. The
Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the world's largest ocean current, has
a major effect on general oceanic circulation. Research objectives are...to
investigate the relationship between oceanic and atmospheric circulation
systems and the physical basis for biological productivity; and to investigate
the relationship of the southern ocean and climate.
Atmospheric Sciences
Antarctica, the world's largest and most intense area of cold, has an
active relationship with regional and perhaps global weather and climate
patterns...Conditions in Antarctica have proved a harbinger of natural
and human-induced global atmospheric change. Research objectives are to
improve understanding of physical processes of the atmosphere, to determine
the relationship between events and conditions in the Antarctic atmosphere
and global events, and to determine the region's role in past and present
global climate.
Terrestrial Biology
The meager biota of terrestrial Antarctica are of special interest, owing
to adaptations to the extreme environment. The simplicity of these terrestrial
ecosystems provides opportunities for analysis that is more difficult
or impossible in the complex systems of the lower latitudes. Research
objectives are to understand features and adaptations of organisms and
to gain further knowledge of their distribution, abundance, and dynamics.
For more see NSF's full statement of USAP Objectives at:
http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/antarct/antarct.htm
PTK goals for Live From Antarctica 2
- to provide students, through state-of-the-art telecommunications,
with a sense of real connectedness to the science and scientists at
work in the Antarctic
- to provide teachers with an easy-to-use suite of integrated multimedia
tools-video, print and on-line-with which to bring Antarctica to life
in their classroom
- to provide materials embodying the National Science Education Standards,
for both content and process
- to show careers in science and science support as exciting, rewarding
and open to all prepared to study hard and achieve, at school and as
lifelong learners
- to document significant student learning outcomes facilitated by Live
From Antarctica 2
Last Update: 1/18/97
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