Dear Colleagues,

The next International Polar Day, focussing on our Changing Earth, is  in two weeks. We have prepared a number of webpages, resources, and  links to relevant IPY science. These can all be accessed from the link  on IPY.org (top right), or directly at http://www.ipy.org/index.php?/ipy/detail/earth/

There are also three aspects of particular interest that I hope you  
can inform your networks about:


1. EDUCATIONAL FLYERS

Flyers can be downloaded from the educators page at
http://www.ipy.org/index.php?/ipy/detail/earth_educators

Information flyers about the science being discussed are available in  9 languages:English, Russian, Portugese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese,  Inuktitut, and Arabic.

Educational flyers encouraging participation in the Day and suggesting  a simple classroom activity are available in 19 languages: Russian, Polish, Spanish, Afrikaans, Malay, German, Swedish, Danish,  English, Dutch, Portugese, French, Finnish, Norwegian, Chinese,  Inuktitut, Japanese, Arabic, and Italian.

Please download and distribute the appropriate flyer across your  
networks. Alternatively, I am happy to send you the relevant flyer for  your language (I have NOT attached to this mail as they are 1MB each).Many thanks to the many volunteers who helped make these translations.



2. LAUNCH A VIRTUAL BALLOON

We encourage everyone, whether IPY participant, journalist, teacher,  student, or other enthusiast, to launch a balloon and show your IPY  participation. This is one of the few global IPY initiatives that  
provides feedback about which areas we are accessing, and so helps us  develop our future programmes.

The page is already active so have a try now,- and ask students to  launch a balloon after learning something about the polar regions.  
Simple instructions, and the interactive map, can be found at
http://www.ipy.org/index.php?/ipy/detail/changing_earth_launch_a_virtual_balloon/

Incase of technical difficulties, you can alternatively email ipy.balloon@gmail.com with details of name, location (lat, lon or town, country), and IPY  message. There might, however, be a delay of up to 48 hours before  this balloon is launched. Please also consider acting as a local  contact for your area and either launching the balloons yourself, or  forwarding these details to the above address.



3. LIVE EVENTS

Four live events will be occurring to celebrate this Day. Full details  of these activities, and how to join, can be found at
http://www.ipy.org/index.php?ipy/detail/changing_earth_live_events/

First Event: World Ocean Observatory
Technology required: internet and computer with sound
Time: March 12, 2008 @ 01.00.00 UTC

Second Event: ARCUS PolarTrec Live From IPY
Technology required: phone (minimum) and internet (optional)
Time: March 12, 2008 between 18.00 - 20.00 UTC

Third Event; IGLO/NASA videoconferencing I
Technology required: turn up to one of the local science centres in  Mexico, Beijing, & Melbourne, or watch the webcast.
Time: midnight UTC (night of March 12th, morning March 13th)

Fourth Event; IGLO/NASA videoconferencing II
Technology required: turn up to one of the local science centres in  Chicago, Cardiff, Lisbon, Egypt, and Cape Town, or watch the webcast.
Time: 13.00 UTC March 13th



We hope you, and your networks, will enjoy the day and Get Involved!

Please contact me if you have any questions


best wishes,
Rhian
and the IPY Education and Outreach Team

Dr Rhian A Salmon

IPY Education and Outreach Coordinator
ipy.ras@gmail.com
+44 (0) 7711181509
AIM / skype: rhiansalmon

International Polar Year: www.ipy.org