Sea Ice, Shackleton & Science: A Century of Changes in Antarctica

Published on 25 September 2014

Fancy spending a fascinating day-in-the-life of famous Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton?

One hundred years after Shackleton embarked on his world-renowned ‘Endurance’ endeavour, Dundee Science Centre will host exciting ‘meet the expert’ events and hands-on workshops on both Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September 2014, with guest scientists from both the International Polar Foundation UK and the UK Polar Network.

Almost 40 pupils from local schools will also enjoy the activities within Dundee Science Centre and RRS Discovery on Monday 29 September 2014.

The IPF Polar puzzle will be used to bring the Antarctic to life and show Shackleton’s journey, while also exploring how it might be if he attempted it today, in light of climate changes.

Visitors can also try on Polar clothing similar to what Shackleton and his men might have worn during the 1914 expedition and compare it to modern-day technical clothing. They will then have the chance to become scientists by trying out a range of hands-on experiments investigating climate change.

Four scientists from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), British Antarctic Survey, Aberdeen University and Edinburgh University will hold ‘meet the scientist’ discussions, revealing how research techniques in their field of science have changed over the last 100 years.

The events coincide not only with the centenary of Shackleton’s renowned Endurance expedition, but Dundee Science Centre’s ‘Ice Station Antarctica’ Expedition which, due to its huge popularity since launching in the Summer, is to be extended until the middle of November.

Ice Station Antarctica was developed by the Natural History Museum in partnership with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

This weekend’s activities will run regularly at Dundee Science Centre from 10am until 5pm on both days, included as part of normal admission.

Dundee Science Centre is open daily from 10am-5pm. For further information, please telephone 01382 228800 or visit http://www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/. 

ENDS