In the first decade of the 20th century, the South Pole was called "the last place on Earth" and was the goal of brave explorers, luring some to tragic deaths in pursuit of the dream of being the first human to reach 90 degrees south latitude. Today, it's still one of the most difficult places on our planet to live and work. But thanks to unique climatic conditions, it's also one of the best places to study the stars and galaxies far beyond Earth. Make a mistake in what you wear or where you walk, and the continent can be unforgiving. Tragically, each year lives are lost.

But look around while you study Emperor penguins, tall volcanoes, million year old fossils or seal pups and you'll be struck by the beauty of this continent, a grandeur found no where else on Earth. Most of us aren't lucky enough to visit such special places in person. Now, however, through PASSPORT TO ANTARCTICA--a powerful combination of video, hands-on activities and on-line resources, students, teachers and life-long learners of all ages, have a real though "virtual" opportunity to visit this awesome continent and to experience it in meaningful ways.

You figure that we're just six people out here working, and there's no one else for probably two hundred miles. You look across at the landscape, and it's virtually untouched. Secrets hidden around every corner, and you just have to keep your eyes open. That's the most rewarding… knowing that just about every corner, you could really advance the science somewhere.
Geologist David Harwood