The Polar POD project, launched in January 2023 by explorer Jean-Louis Étienne, aims to raise awareness of the Southern Ocean. As part of this initiative, the academy is hosting the PolarPODibus in January and February for science outreach activities with students from the three departments.

The Polar POD Expedition

The Polar POD project, formalized and co-developed with the Ministry of National Education and Youth, aims to gain a better understanding of the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic environment through the acquisition of long-term data and observations (Southern Hemisphere winter, fauna via hydrophones, chemical composition of water, satellite measurements, etc.). For this purpose, a drifting oceanic platform (POD) will circulate for three years around Antarctica, a region of the globe still little known.

Presentation of the Polar POD, an oceanographic station specially designed for Jean-Louis Étienne’s next expedition: a drift in the circumpolar current around Antarctica.

Discovering the Expedition through Science Outreach

Concurrently, science outreach aimed at all school audiences, from elementary to high school, is being implemented to promote the Polar POD expedition and its objectives. This outreach is carried out through the PolarPODibus’s visits—a vehicle dedicated to providing science outreach thanks to onboard scientific equipment—to several schools. Students and teaching staff will thus benefit from educational activities allowing them to grasp the various challenges of this expedition in connection with the teaching content of several disciplines and at different school levels.

The PolarPODibus makes a stop at the Limoges academy January 23, 2024
From January 8 to February 17, around thirty schools and institutions in the academy have the opportunity to receive a visit from the PolarPODibus, which is a lever for strengthening science education. The encounter with the Polar POD team and scientists will enable:

• to awaken curiosity and interest in oceanographic exploration;

• to open new perspectives towards careers in marine industries, ocean sciences, and adventure. A particular message is addressed to young girls, who are still too few in these fields;

• to stimulate youth engagement for environmental protection.

A program committed to the core issues of climate change, the Polar POD project is part of sustainable development education, as it addresses 9 of the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). The proposed science outreach activities thus raise awareness among tomorrow’s stakeholders about these issues and support them in becoming responsible and engaged citizens.
The PolarPODibus in the Academy

A real pleasure to host @PolarPodExpe this week, introducing students to @jletienne’s expedition. For this exciting scientific moment @Dsden23 @aclimoges pic.twitter.com/qC0eJA1zt3 Christophe BLANC (@monsieurchrisbl) January 11, 2024

When science meets passion!

Thanks to Clément, science communicator, for introducing our students to @jletienne’s expedition with @PolarPodExpe.
Dynamism, interactions, and experiences punctuated these sessions. @Dsden23 @aclimoges #odd pic.twitter.com/eIDzK5jkv3 Collège Martin Nadaud (@CollegeNadaud) January 17, 2024