Breaking news - Penguins found in Antarctica!
Now you might think I have gone completely mad. However, scientists HAVE found new penguin colonies in Antarctica - from space!
Now these little creatures are very small and are not visible from space. We are constantly being told to be careful about what we leave behind (rubbish etc) but alas these penguins have no option but to leave behind their guano - penguin poop to you and me. Space satellites have managed to pick up the large area of droppings that they've left behind and by mapping the little deposits they have found some new colonies of penguins that were previously unknown.
Some lucky school groups have travelled to Antarctica with us and have witnessed for themselves these amazing little creatures and the other incredible wildlife that is Antarctica. If you would like to find out more please contact us at study@discovertheworld.co.uk
Lorraine
Posted on June 26, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Move that Town!
Fans of the hit series Extreme Home Makeover from the US are used to that familiar shout from Ty Pennington "Move that bus!" now residents in Kiruna, above the Arctic Circle, are getting used to "Move that house!" instead.
The LKAB iron ore mine is what keeps Kiruna going, and as they are digging further down the seam there is a grave danger that the mine could cause some of the town to collapse. So they have decided to move the town. The town planners have a major challenge on their hands, with some buildings being demolished but some being moved plank by plank, or moving complete buildings to another part of town.
Did you know you can also visit the Iron Ore mine on a trip to Kiruna? Enjoy a 2 hour guided tour down one of the world's largest iron-ore mine. Explore part of the tunnel system, not all of it as there is over 400 kms of road in the mine. A truly fascinating trip.
Nearby is the famous and original ICEHOTEL The hotel is a commendable example of responsible tourism in practice - it certainly takes the phrase to "reduce, re-use and re-cycle" to extreme. Each year the ICEHOTEL is built of snow and ice and simply melts back into the Torne River. The ICEHOTEL has also started to implement an extensive renewable energy scheme.
They also produce over half a million ice glasses to ship around the world including the IceBar in London. Does the carbon footprint balance out the recycling? An interesting thought for discussion.
Posted on June 15, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Where Geography takes you - part one
When choosing which subjects to take at GCSE or A level it can be quite a difficult time. Geography is a subject that can open many doors - with both physical geography and human geography being all around us. I guess then the thought is well what career will studying Geography give me, is a natural next question. So in the first of "Where geography takes you " I wanted to share some of the opportunities that are out there.
When I was doing my usual Saturday meander in Epsom I was stopped in my tracks by some amazing soldiers who belonged to a Geographic Squadron - The 135 Independent Geographic Squadron Royal Engineers (V). Well, I had to ask them what this entailed. This squadron is the only unit in the Territorial Army to support the Regular Army, 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic). Their role is creating, producing and reproduction of geographic mapping products in an operational environment plus many other tasks.
They had just returned from Afghanistan where their role was to map the local terrain, identifying the high risk areas that would make the army vulnerable to attack. Preparing maps for the Senior Commanding Officers. As well as a humanitarian role in showing local Afghan children the first sight of a map. Something we take for granted. What you may not realise is that British and American Troops were also in Iceland during the Second World as Iceland was in a prime position in the middle of the North Atlantic. Someone must have been looking at the maps. When you take one of our study trips to Iceland you land at Keflavik International Airport which was originally built to support troops at that time.
So if you are whizz with GIS, and GPS or enjoy geographic data the Army could make great use of your skills.
Posted on June 5, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Why don't Penguins' feet freeze?
If you haven't read the book yet and wanted to find out - then take a look at Cool Antarctica's website. This fascinating site has all you ever want to know about Antarctica and much more besides. With a host of information and resources for teachers as well as very interesting links and information. Thanks to my colleague Nikki for this lovely photo of an gentoo penguin! Trying not to freeze his feet.
Another question for you. When is an iceberg not an iceberg? Find out on this very Cool website. Also, there are areas for examining climate change, history and full of useful information. there is even a powerpoint ready made for you on Antarctica The last Continent.
Some of our schools in the UK have taken a truly awe inspiring trip to Antarctica and have seen for themselves this amazing White Continent. For some inspirational images do take a look at our own library. Look out for the flying penguin!
And did you know they even have their own language here - check out the Antarctic Slang.
If you would like to see more photgraphs going back in time don't forget to check out the Freeze Frame area in the Scott Polar Research website. They also have some great resources.
This lovely group of penguins was taken by my colleague Liz who was in Antarctica for their summer ( which is December time.)
With cold environments being in the curriculum we thought this site would be of interest. Don't forget to let me know if you are finding the blogs useful and if you want me to focus on any special topics. Lorraine
Posted on June 1, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this
Schools Discover Science in Iceland!
Why Science in Iceland?
Iceland has always been seen as the preserve of the Geographers and Geologists – well not any longer!
We are delighted to announce that we have put together some science itineraries and biology itineraries for all our budding scientists. Iceland offers a wealth of scientific opportunities for studying in the field. Whether you are looking for the elusive solar wind particles colliding with molecules from the earth’s atmosphere that is the Northern Lights, or witnessing the fast growing patterns that the midnight sun causes during the months of 24 hour sunlight, Iceland is a fascinating living laboratory.
With sustainable and renewable energy high on the agenda - witness how Iceland is using the natural forces at its disposal, both hydro and geothermal energy or perhaps enjoy an amazing dip in the geothermal Blue Lagoon.
Really bring the textbook alive with trips to hot springs, visit the incredible rift valley of Thingvellir, and see the faults and fissures that the physical movement of the earth has created and is still creating. Combine this with the geysers, hot springs, and the icy glaciers and formulate your own ideas on how climate change is affecting Iceland.
A visit for a scientist to Iceland will be an unforgettable experience giving students that personal experience that really informs their writing in the all important exams.
For more details of how inspirational Iceland is for our future scientists please contact us for more details.
Lorraine
Posted on May 26, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Pen Hadlow - The Quest has ended.
Last summer was amazing for me as I was privileged to accompany some Discover the World clients on an incredible voyage Around Spitsbergen. This trip really has whetted my appetite for anything to do with the Arctic and I have been following with great interest the adventures of Pen Hadlow and the Polar Explorers on their mission to measure the thickness of the sea ice. They have now completed their Arctic quest. Their initial findings would indicate that the sea ice is melting earlier, is thinner and as it is mainly first year ice there is a real danger that it might melt altogether.
With climate change and the plight of this fragile eco system on the geography and science agenda it is really important that this kind of research and intrepid researchers do all they can to highlight these issues. Nearer to home, we take many students to Iceland to see the glaciers and to give them an insight to climate change, receding glaciers and the cold environment.
Lorraine
Posted on May 15, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Really bringing the Textbook alive!
It was great to meet all of you at the GA Conference in Manchester. Good to catch up with old friends and also make new ones. Whilst at the GA we were delighted to see Hodders new GCSE Geography textbook for WJEC B with Iceland featuring on many pages.
As those of you who have been on one of our school trips you really can bring the textbook to life. Never has this been more true than comparing the pages on Gulfoss. Visiting Gulfoss waterfall and seeing how the water and the rocks have created this amazing waterfall. A textbook example of geography before your very eyes.
Page 153 of the textbook gives the explanation of how the process of waterfall formation creates a gorge. Together with some activities based on the waterfall.
With further topics based on this amazing island Iceland come and see for yourself Geography taken straight from the text book and being created before your eyes.
Posted on May 6, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Earthquake shakes England
People in the north of England were shaken quite literally on Tuesday 28th April when an earthquake 3.7 on the Richter scale struck at 1125 according to the British Geological Society. Listen and watch the BBC Cumbria reports.
We here at Discover the World are more used to earthquakes in Iceland. The last major one was in May 2008 at 6.1 on the Richter scale. Because of very strict building regulations in Iceland even a large earthquake of this scale meant only some poor sheep were fatalities. About 20 buildings were slightly damaged but the insides were shaken and most injuries were caused by things falling out of cupboards and off shelves!
Click here to see how you can monitor minute by minute the Icelandic earthquakes as they appear. Or why not discover more about Iceland yourselves on one of our study visits.
Posted on May 1, 2009 in Geology | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
