WorldWideLearn.com North Pole Solo 2004
 

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Project Overview

Wave Vidmar

Wave Vidmar
1st American to attempt a solo unsupported expedition to the North Pole

Star View the entries
from Wave's logbook

Time Line

Live from February 2004 through April 2004
 
 

Areas Covered

Earth Sciences
Environmental Sciences
Ecology
Leadership & Goal Setting
Communications
Safety Precautions
Equipment


How to Participate

To register for this project, send email to helper@gsn.org and include the following information:

  • Teacher name
  • Name of school or organization
  • Location of school or organization
  • Grade level of students
  • Number of students in class

Visit this website often to read Wave's dispatches and to view his digital images.
 

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North Pole Solo 2004
 
Students are introduced to the ecosystem of the North Pole - as they learn about
earth sciences, environmental sciences, ecology, and North Pole history. They are inspired to set goals that will help them achieve their dreams.

Talking to Wave from the North Pole
Three classrooms had the incredible opportunity to speak with Wave live from the North Pole via satellite phone!!!

Select a link below to view the video:

Dial-up         DSL        
Cable Modem

 

Features of the Expedition

 Purpose
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Goal
Wave Vidmar walked into history as the first American to attempt a 660 mile solo journey to the geographic North Pole. The expedition took approximately 60 days across the frozen Arctic sea ice.

Wave left his hometown of Oakland, California (right across the bay from San Francisco) and set off for Russia. Then, leaving from upper Russia, the Artichevsky peninsula, Wave walked, skied, and swam nearly 660 miles to the North Pole!

Dragging a sledge (pulk) weighing more than 325 lbs Wave took with him everything he needed to accomplish his goal through the harshest environment on earth. When asked why he would do such a thing he states "to feed my soul."

Location
The North Pole
For centuries men (and women) have been drawn to the 'top of the world' - the north pole. One of the most, if not the most difficult place to visit, the north pole has had less people stand on it than on the summit of Mount Everest.

There are actually two north poles, the geographic north pole and the magnetic north pole. There is no land beneath the ice that covers the north pole. In fact, at times there is no ice and only water. The ice covering Antarctica (the south pole) is approx. 3000 feet thick, while the ice at the north pole is no thicker than 17 feet, typically much less.

There are no markers or 'poles' (as at the south pole), as the ice that typically covers the north pole is constantly moving. The water beneath the pole is over 14,000 feet deep. Average temperatures at the pole are -30°F, and can go as low as -74°F, with wind-chill can go as low as -150°F. That's cold!

 
Interactivity
The nature of the expedition precludes direct interaction with Wave while he is on the expedition; however, students can track this adventure online, submit questions via email, and get great ideas for lesson plans. Collaborative activities include:
  • writing essays
  • conducting and sharing research
  • producing captions for digital photos
  • creating web hunts
 
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Project Overview

Getting Started

Lessons & Activities

StarShare or Collaborate

Resource Links

Glossary

Image Gallery
News & Announcements
Track Wave's Progress


Global SchoolNet - Our Education Partner
Education content by Global SchoolNet

Acceptable Online Behavior
The use of the Internet as part of an educational program is a privilege. It is highly recommended that each student who has access the Internet be provided acceptable use training. Please review our acceptable use Guidelines for Good Global Citizens.

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WorldWideLearn.com North Pole Solo Expedition 2004
WorldWideLearn.com North Pole Solo 2004  |  http://www.worldwidelearn.com/northpole

Inquiries: Angela Lovett at World Wide Learn  |  Phone: (403) 802-6116
Press Inquiries: Tim Cox at Zing Public Relations  |  Phone: (650) 369-7784

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