As part of their “Attenborough Appreciation” studies this Term, Mr Tooze’s Year 8 class were given the opportunity to start up a ‘Polar Pen Pal’ service with an acting PhD scientist currently in-situ on the continent of Antarctica. 

Arlie McCarthy works for the BAS (British Antarctic Survey) as a PhD student.  The BAS is a world leading research and development organisation.  Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth and our impact on it.

The scheme involves Mr Tooze being the ‘middle man’ for letters to be sent between Leventhorpe students and a working scientist.  This gives the school a unique opportunity to converse and investigate what life is like for someone working in Antarctica and a first-hand recall of the impacts of climate change.
 

Sam, Aimee and Dora's letters were sent first and are in the image gallery below.  They were excitied to receive replies and they didn't have to wait long!  Zoologist Arlie's replies are here:

Letter to SamLetter to AimeeLetter to Dora