Every year the “white bit” at the bottom of the planet doubles in size, and then melts away again. This is the annual sea ice cycle. Sea ice is an integral part of the rich biodiversity of high latitude marine environments, with an influence extending much further than just the polar regions. It affects ocean and ecosystems underneath it, and is one of the big controllers of ocean circulation and the world’s climate. How will it be affected by a warming world? Why does it matter at all? Join us to learn about how sea ice interacts with the ocean and the atmosphere, its vulnerability to climate change, and what this might mean for Antarctica as we know it today. You’ll hear from leading sea ice researchers on topics from how it forms to the state-of-the-art techniques required to measure it, and how NZ’s Antarctic research is contributing to understand consequences of global warming to the earth as a whole.
WinterSchool is now entering its fourth year, following on from successful workshops at Lake Ohau (“What does it take to melt and ice sheet?”), Great Barrier Island (“Antarctic Ecosystems in a Changing World”) and Lauder (The thin blue line: Understanding the Antarctic Atmosphere).
Each year a different theme is discussed to build on the existing knowledge of the key stakeholders and communicators, giving them confidence to lead public conversations about the challenges faced by Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
The programme is designed to be interactive, with ample time for questions and discussions. We will use hands on demonstrations to illustrate key concepts. Expect a little homework in advance of the workshop – the more you understand in advance, the greater the quality of discussions.
Expect a small group (around 20) of talented people to be part of this experience. Learn from some of the top minds of New Zealand Antarctic Research and share your insights to overcoming the challenge of communicating complex ideas to everyday New Zealanders. This meeting of minds offers a unique opportunity to build relationships and share experiences.
Applications for WinterSchool 2018 have closed for 2018
Register your EOI for Winter School 2019 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
While Antarctica is out of sight, what happens there matters to us all.
This year, WinterSchool will focus on the Antarctic atmosphere – the thin blue line above the frozen continent that plays a key role in weather patterns, climate, and ocean processes. Important global climate change questions can only be answered by making measurements in Antarctica, one of the most isolated and hard to reach places on Earth. Join us to learn about how the atmosphere works, what influences it, and how human activities are altering the natural system. You’ll hear about the recent scientific discoveries, gleaned from state of the art measurements that are solving puzzles in Earth’s climate system, and how NZ is leading research into what the future might hold.
WinterSchool seeks to bring together New Zealand’s communications experts eager to tell the story of our changing climate. This boot camp on Antarctic atmospheric research seeks to expand your knowledge, through presentations, discussions and hands on demonstrations, but also encourages you to help the science community with tricks and tools to get their story heard. The workshop’s primary objective is to support communicators in playing an active role in demystifying Antarctic science to the public. WinterSchool 2017 will be held at NIWA’s Atmospheric Research Station at Lauder, in the heart of Central Otago. Lauder is widely regarded worldwide as an essential component of the global atmospheric research community. Surrounded on each side by a mountain range, its geographical isolation and clear skies provide the perfect location for making atmospheric measurements, and is also a stunning place to hold a WinterSchool.
WinterSchool is now entering its third year, following on from successful workshops at Lake Ohau (“What does it take to melt and ice sheet?”) and Great Barrier Island (“Antarctic Ecosystems in a Changing World”).
Each year a different theme is discussed to build on the existing knowledge of the key stakeholders and communicators, giving them confidence to lead public conversations about the challenges faced by Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
The programme is designed to be interactive, with ample time for questions and discussions. We will use hands on demonstrations to illustrate key concepts. Expect a little homework in advance of the workshop – the more you understand in advance, the greater the quality of discussions.
Expect a small group (around 20) of talented people to be part of this experience. Learn from some of the top minds of New Zealand Antarctic Research and share your insights to overcoming the challenge of communicating complex ideas to everyday New Zealanders. This meeting of minds offers a unique opportunity to build relationships and share experiences.
More info at www.antarcticanewzealand.co.nz
“WinterSchool was fantastic - A weekend-long speed date with Antarctic science,” Jason O’Hara. Visual design artist and 2016-17 Community Engagement Programme recipient (#60shadesofwhite)
“NZARI Winter School got me up to speed on the critical science underway at Scott Base, introduced me to most of the key players and helped me understand the ethos of Antarctica NZ's effort on the Ice. Winter School has informed my reporting since.”
Senior Reporter, Fairfax Media, The Press
WINTER SCHOOL 2016
Science Communications Workshop
Antarctica is often thought of as a barren, lifeless place. But dip beneath the icy cover of the ocean and the surface of the land and you will find an abundant and diverse range of life…..but for how long? Changing climates are being more strongly felt in the Polar Regions than anywhere else in the world. This will alter the habitats of many Antarctic species. This year’s Winter School will highlight the vulnerability and possible resilience of Antarctic ecosystems as the environment changes. With a focus on marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and via discussions and practical demonstrations, Winter School presenters will describe pressing issues for Antarctic species and the ecosystem as a whole. They will address the questions of what the future might hold, the consequences of anthropogenic change, and, how New Zealand research is contributing to a better understanding of these fragile ecosystems.
Who should attend?