The International Polar Year (actually it’s two years) is a large scale research effort that will focus on the artic and antarctic beginning in March 2007 and running through March 2009 (two annual cycles of research). The research will focus on seven areas: Atmosphere, Ice, Land, Oceans, People, and Space, as well as Education and Resources. You can see the complete IPY Chart that identifies each of the 228 endorsed projects.

Andrew Revkin, the New Times Science reporter, has written a piece describing the goals and aspirations of the IPY. Refkin reports that the central goals of the IPY is to clarify the role of greenhouse gases and global warming on rapid changes that are going on at each pole.

The IPY is also providing opportunities for teachers and students to be involved in the research. At the IPY website you can click on the Educators link where you will find news and announcements, event listings, blogs, and links and resources.

I found a powerful link designed for the IPY at the USGS (United States Geological Survey). Here you will find maps, fact sheets, and applications for a wide range of IPY topics.