Stories of a changing planet with 'Polar Palooza'

Stories of a changing planet with 'Polar Palooza'Polar Palooza
Thurs 12 Nov & Sun 15 Nov 2009
Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour

A group of Australian and American scientists will bring an educational "extravaganza" to the Australian National Maritime Museum on 12 - 15 November to demonstrate the advancing effects of climate change.

Their cutting-edge multi-media presentation will focus on the polar regions and show how changes there are affecting weather, climate and the environment everywhere on Earth.

The program, called Polar Palooza, is presented by the American National Science Foundation and supported by the Australian Antarctic Division.For the past two years 50,000 researchers from more than 60 nations have been exploring the poles, gathering scientific data and making astonishing new discoveries.

In Polar Palooza, six scientists will share personal stories of adventure and research at the poles supported by high-definition video and authentic artefacts such as ancient ice cores, fossils and cold weather clothing.

The scientific team will show NASA satellite visualisations of the polar regions that demonstrate the shrinkage of sea ice. Their visual presentations will also include footage of polar wildlife and the researchers at work.

Polar Palooza presentation
Thursday 12 November... 6pm - 8pm

In honour of the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty and many years of international scientific exploration of the polar regions, this unique presentation will see the team of working researchers discuss their latest findings amid stories of what it's like to work in the coldest regions on Earth and the effects of climate change they have witnessed.

Tickets $25 per person, includes evening refreshments. Bookings essential, (02) 9298 3644.
Family Day - FREE
Sunday 15 November... 11am - 3pm

Aimed specifically at families, the day will provide a kid-friendly snapshot of how our changing poles affect Australia with plenty of interactives and fossils to exploreVisitors to the museum will be able to interact one-on-one with these modern-day 'extreme' explorers and learn more about their work at the Poles.School children will also have the opportunity to learn more about our changing planet and the work of polar researchers with special information sessions for primary and secondary students on 12 and 13 November (respectively). For bookings, call (02) 9298 3655.

[The term Palooza is taken from Lollapalooza, a big and extravagant three-day music festival in the USA]. Polar Palooza has been touring cities and towns in the USA for two years. It will make its first Australian appearance at the National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour.

The show will then visit Scitech in Perth (18-19 Nov) and Questacon in Canberra (21-24 Nov).
The Australian National Maritime Museum is open daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm. For more information please call (02) 9298 3777 or visit www.anmm.gov.au/polarpalooza.