The International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008 will be an internationally coordinated campaign of research that will initiate a new era in polar science. IPY 2007-2008 will include research in both polar regions and recognise the strong links these regions have with the rest of the globe. It aims to educate and involve the public, and to help train the next generation of engineers, scientists, and leaders.

International Polar Year will run from March 2007 to March 2009 to allow researchers the opportunity to work in both polar regions or work summer and winter if they wish.

• International Polar Year 2007- 2009
  This is the prelaunch website of the International Polar Year International Program Office.
  
  International Polar Year
  The International Polar Year is a large scientific programme focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic from March 2007 to March 2009.
  
• International Polar Year Youth Steering Committee
  The IPY Youth Steering Committee (YSC) exists to ensure that youth are fully involved in this effort. The YSC is involved in national and international level projects. These projects aim to educate youth on the poles, involve them in polar issues, and provide them with the opportunity to participate in IPY research.
  

• The First International Polar Year 1881 - 1884
  The records of the first IPY offer a rare glimpse of the circumpolar Arctic environment as it existed in the past. These observations collected so long ago now hold the potential to improve our understanding of historical climate variability and environmental change in the Arctic.
  

• A Vision for the International Polar Year 2007 - 2008
  In 2007-2008, many nations around the world will host an intense, coordinated field campaign of polar observations, research, and analysis called the "International Polar Year." This report presents an overview of potential science themes, enabling technologies, and public outreach opportunities that can be used to focus International Polar Year on societal needs.
  This book is available to be read free on line or a pdf version may be downloaded. [24MB]
  

• U.S. Geological Survey International Polar Year Homepage
  This site includes a history of the International Polar Year and a downloadable pdf. document of USGS polar-science educational resources for IPY 2007-2008 [ 5.6MB].
  

• Resources on Polar Research in the NOAA Central Library Network
  This 182 page pdf document contains a selected bibliography of resources for the 2007 - 2009 IPY prepared by Anna Fiolek of NOAA Central Library

International Polar Year Regional Websites
These sites provide information about various countries' planned activities and contributions to International Polar Year

• One Planet, Many People: Tundra and Polar Regions [3.18 MB]
  Through a combination of ground photographs, current and historical satellite images, and narrative based on extensive scientific evidence, this publication illustrates how humans have altered their surroundings and continue to make observable and measurable changes to the global environment. Late Ad
  

• Byrd Polar Research Centre: Ohio State University
  Research at the Centre focuses on the role of cold regions in the global climate system, with major research themes focused on:
  • climatic reconstruction of glacial and post-glacial times;
  • polar ice-sheets: dynamics, history and ice-atmosphere interactions;
  • high-latitude landform evolution, soils and hydrology;
  • geologic evolution of Antarctica;
  • and the history of polar exploration.
    

• Educapoles
  EducaPoles is the International Polar Foundation's educational site. It sets out to sensitize young people and the educational world to the importance of the Polar Regions and of climate change by proposing adapted teaching tools and projects.
  

• Norwegian Polar Institute
  Use the menu bar on the left to navigate to information about the Arctic and the Antarctic
  

• National Geographic Polar websites
  • Crittercam Antarctica
  • Crittercam Arctic
  • Explore the bottom of the Earth
    Journey to Antarctica via an interactive map and dicover the sights and sounds of the animals that live there.

• Polar Meteorology
  Would you like to
  • Run a global climate model over the the web?
  • Learn why the South Pole is so much colder than the North Pole
  • See pictures of ships that almost sank from sea-spray icing?
  • Find web resources on Polar Meteorology?
  • You can do this and more in the Polar Meteorology Web Module.
    

• NSF: OPP Arctic and Antarctic: Research Overview
  This overview is one of a number of classroom resources available from the National Science Foundation.
  

• World Wildlife Fund:
  • Easy Learning Polar Regions. For those at Middle/Junior School or anyone just needing an easy route in to knowing more about the species, places and conservation issues on our planet.
  • Get in Depth: Arctic Tundra For those at High/Secondary school, or anyone who just wants to know that little bit more in order, to get that little bit better informed.
    
    
• International Polar Year on Google Earth - tour Earth events using Google Earth

• Definition

• International Polar Year
• Regional IPY Websites
• Polar Regions
• The Arctic
• The Antarctic

CMIS Theme pages

• The Arctic
• The Antarctic

• Edna Resources
  Helpful resources for teachers - including webquests and images.
• Global Education
  Gives a good coverage of useful information and websites for teachers and students to use.
• Questacon
  Includes a Polar Passport blog with a research sciencentist in Antarctica.