Antarctic Treaty & Research

CONCEPTUAL

Science›Polar Regions|Ages 9—11|ID: mt_itldWmVItr

Know that Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty (signed 1959, in force since 1961) — which sets Antarctica aside for peaceful purposes and scientific research, bans military activity and mining, and is signed by over 50 countries; understand that international research stations study climate, astronomy, biology, and geology, and that Antarctica is the closest thing on Earth to a continent for science rather than politics

Mastery Evidence

State that the Antarctic Treaty (1959) sets Antarctica aside for peace and science, banning military activity and mining
Know that over 50 countries have signed the treaty and that many operate research stations
Name at least two areas of scientific research conducted in Antarctica: climate, astronomy, biology, or geology

Assessment Prompt

“Does [child] know about the Antarctic Treaty — that over 50 countries agreed Antarctica should be used only for science and peace, not war or mining — and that research stations there study everything from ice to stars?”

Prerequisites2

The Race to the South Pole
softAges 7—9
Comparing Arctic & Antarctic
hardAges 7—9

Show full prerequisite tree

The Race to the South Pole soft
Exploration history provides context for why the Treaty was needed
- Brave Polar Explorers hard
  Detailed exploration stories build on simple explorer introductions
  - Where Are the Poles? hard
    Must know where the poles are before learning about explorers who went there
- Comparing Arctic & Antarctic soft
  Understanding Arctic vs Antarctic geography enriches the exploration narrative
  - Polar Animals soft
    Knowing a range of polar animals enriches the detailed comparison
    - Arctic vs Antarctic hard
      Must know Arctic vs Antarctic before learning which animals live where
      - Where Are the Poles? hard
        Must know where the poles are before comparing Arctic vs Antarctic
    - Penguins soft
      Penguins and polar bears are the anchor species; other animals build on these
      - Arctic vs Antarctic hard
        Must know penguins live in Antarctic (not Arctic) from the comparison topic
        
        Where Are the Poles? hard
        Must know where the poles are before comparing Arctic vs Antarctic
    - Polar Bears soft
      Polar bears are the anchor species; other animals build on these
      - Arctic vs Antarctic hard
        Must know polar bears live in Arctic (not Antarctic) from the comparison topic
        
        Where Are the Poles? hard
        Must know where the poles are before comparing Arctic vs Antarctic
  - Arctic vs Antarctic hard
    Detailed comparison builds on basic Arctic vs Antarctic distinction
    - Where Are the Poles? hard
      Must know where the poles are before comparing Arctic vs Antarctic
Comparing Arctic & Antarctic hard
Must understand Antarctic geography before learning about the Treaty governing it
- Polar Animals soft
  Knowing a range of polar animals enriches the detailed comparison
  - Arctic vs Antarctic hard
    Must know Arctic vs Antarctic before learning which animals live where
    - Where Are the Poles? hard
      Must know where the poles are before comparing Arctic vs Antarctic
  - Penguins soft
    Penguins and polar bears are the anchor species; other animals build on these
    - Arctic vs Antarctic hard
      Must know penguins live in Antarctic (not Arctic) from the comparison topic
      - Where Are the Poles? hard
        Must know where the poles are before comparing Arctic vs Antarctic
  - Polar Bears soft
    Polar bears are the anchor species; other animals build on these
    - Arctic vs Antarctic hard
      Must know polar bears live in Arctic (not Antarctic) from the comparison topic
      - Where Are the Poles? hard
        Must know where the poles are before comparing Arctic vs Antarctic
- Arctic vs Antarctic hard
  Detailed comparison builds on basic Arctic vs Antarctic distinction
  - Where Are the Poles? hard
    Must know where the poles are before comparing Arctic vs Antarctic

Unlocks2

Polar Conservation & Future
hardAges 9—11
Polar Exploration Then & Now
softAges 9—11