For the Society’s Young Geographer of the Year 2015 competition, school pupils from across the UK and abroad are being asked ‘why does Antarctica matter?’
This theme of this year’s competition coincides with the centenary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, which aimed to complete the first crossing of Antarctica. Despite failing in their original plans and being stranded on pack ice for over a year, Shackleton and his men returned safely and the expedition is recognised as one of the most remarkable feats of leadership and endeavour.
Students should explore the reasons why Antarctica still matters today, spanning any of the following ideas: its world-leading science; the continent’s unique biodiversity and landscapes; its ability as a location to inspire people with awe at the natural world; its unique status as the only continent in the world without countries; and its governance by the Antarctic Treaty, which promotes science, peaceful purposes, sets aside territorial claims and prevents military activities.
The competition has four categories: KS2, KS3, GCSE and A-level. The Society encourages schools to run their own local semi-finals before entering their top-placed entries into the national competition.
Rex Walford Award
This award is for trainees or teachers who have just started their careers; for example, PGCE, Teach First, Schools Direct, NQT and/or colleagues in a similar stage in their careers. Linked to the Young Geographer of the Year competition, this year’s award asks entrants to produce a short scheme of work, covering at least three lessons, that focuses on the question ‘why does Antarctica matter?’ The Society welcomes innovative and effective approaches to engaging students with this question and would also be interested to see examples of students’ work that has resulted from the lessons.
The deadline for all entries is 5pm on Friday, 16 October 2015.
For full details of both competitions, please visit the website.