Learners at The Stable School in Christchurch, Dorset, are experiencing a truly extraordinary learning opportunity this term through Project Antarctica, a live connection with real-world scientific research taking place at the bottom of the globe.
Learners from the Barn classes have been engaging in live discussions with Antarctica research scientist Dr Helen Fredricks, who is currently on a six-week research expedition aboard the research vessel Roger Revelle. Speaking directly with learners from thousands of miles away, Dr Fredricks has been answering their thoughtful and curious questions, ranging from “Are there polar bears in the Antarctic?” to “Can you take a photo of penguins for me please?” to “How do you stay warm?” and “Do you really get almost 24 hours of sunlight?”.
The project has sparked excitement and genuine curiosity across the school, with learners eager to understand what life and scientific work is really like in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. As part of the experience, learners have also followed the journey of the research vessel as it travelled from Chile, crossing the famously rough Drake Passage on its way to Palmer Station in Antarctica.
Dr Fredricks shared first-hand insights into the challenges of the voyage, describing how turbulent conditions led to furniture moving across her cabin. “At one point yesterday, the chair flew across my room,” she explained. “Fortunately, I wasn’t sitting in it!”
Principal Denise Carpenter praised the project for bringing learning to life in a way that is both engaging and meaningful for learners.
“Opportunities like Project Antarctica are incredibly powerful for our learners,” said Denise. “They connect classroom learning to the real world in a way that captures imagination, builds curiosity and shows our learners that their questions genuinely matter. Being able to speak directly with a scientist working in Antarctica is an experience they will remember for a long time.”
Project Antarctica forms part of The Stable School’s commitment to providing rich, experiential learning opportunities that support curiosity, communication and confidence, while broadening learners’ understanding of the world beyond the classroom.
