World Wildlife Fund for Nature
Wwf: Our Earth: Ecoregions: Habitats: Polar Regions
A simple introduction and overview of the polar regions. Includes a link to information about animals that live in a polar habitat.
Other
Usps: Polar Lights
You and your students are going on an expedition to learn about the polar regions. Explore the glaciers, subglacial rivers, and volcanoes. Get up close and personal with furry, flippered, and feathered friends. Learn how other people...
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Polar Discovery: Compare the Poles
A detailed comparison of many aspects of the two polar regions. Includes physical features, seasons, weather, types of ice, plants and animals, human population, and climate change.
Other
Polar Continental Shelf Project for Kids!
Visit this resource to learn about the geography, wild life, plants and people of Polar Continental Shelf in Canada's Arctic. Students can take a quiz to see how much they have learned.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Polar Sea Ice
Polar sea ice, its seasonal variability, and the impact of a changing climate are investigated in this activity. Students will also explore the differences between polar regions that result from Antarctica being a continent and the north...
Other
Social History of the North: Circumpolar History Timetables
Find information on 37,000 years of civilization in the far North, including Russia, Northern Europe, and North America. This site is well organized, frequently updated, and offers an extensive bibliography.
University of Waterloo (Canada)
University of Waterloo: Archaeology in Arctic North America
A resource regarding the Arctic region and a look at some of the recent archaeological projects there. The introduction offers a short look at the geography and history of the area.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: The Hall of Arctic People
This is the online version of the Smithsonian Institute's exhibit devoted to the people of the Siberian and North American Arctic. The mannequins around the walls represent the peoples of the Crossroads region, dressed in traditional...
Curated OER
Ed Tech Clearinghouse: Koppen Climate Classification of North America, 1911
A map from 1911 of the climate regions of North America using the classification system developed by Wladimir Koppen, based on the concept that native vegetation is the best expression of climate. The major groups are (A)...
Other
Yukon College: Geographic Concepts: Introduction to Circumpolar Geography
This article explains the geography of the circumpolar north, which includes northern Eurasia. Read about the different climates and ecozones in this area. Includes student assignments.
Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden: Tundra Animals
Explore this comprehensive resource on the birds and mammals of the tundra. This resource features information such as diet, class, order, size, habitat, conservation range and the like.
PBS
Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Rock Ptarmigan
Discover how the Rock Ptarmigan lives in the Tundra when you check out this site. This resource features photographs, information on characteristics, life cycle and more.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Laysan Albatross
This Smithsonian website has a brief, but thorough, article on the Laysan Albatross that also includes a picture.
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights
The aurora borealis (also known as the northern lights) is a spectacular light display that can be seen at night in regions near the North Pole (auroras can also be seen near the South Pole). Auroras occur because of charged particles...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Ptarmigan
This Smithsonian website has a brief, but thorough, article on the Ptarmigan. It also includes pictures and an extensive quote from 19th Century naturalist Edward Nelson.
PBS
Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Arctic Fox
Learn more about the arctic fox through this clear and concise site. This resource features photos, characteristics, behavior information and more about this fascinating mammal.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Arctic vs. the Antarctic
Camille Seaman describes how enterprising people and organisms have found ways to reside around both poles despite the frigid temperatures. [4:24]
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Snowy Owl
This Smithsonian website has a brief, but thorough, article on the Snowy Owl that also includes a picture and an extensive quote from the 19th Century naturalist Edward Nelson.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Arctic Studies Center: Arctic Fox
This site takes a brief look at the Arctic Fox, focusing on this animal's adaptations to the harsh climate of its environment.