The USAP Portal: Science and Support in Antarctica



	Through the Office of Polar Programs (OPP), the NSF provides grants to scientists at U.S. institutions, Federal agencies, and other research organizations to conduct research in Antarctica as well as analytical research at home institutions. Research is conducted in the region roughly south of 60° south latitude in disciplines including biology and medicine, atmospheric, earth, and ocean sciences, and aeronomy and astrophysics. Education and outreach are also integral parts of the USAP.

The extraordinary events and diverse people that make up the United States Antarctic Program.

The purpose of the USAP, Antarctic policies, conservation, and international cooperation.

Find out about Antarctica, one of the most unique and beautiful places in the world.

Details about the agencies that participants work for in conducting and supporting scientific research.

Antarctica is a continent that will forever be used for peaceful purposes. Read about the countries involved.

Take a look at South Pole construction, ice-breaking ships, Dinosaurs on Ice, satellite images, and much more.

Science Program Areas

Learn about the scientific research and support available through the NSF’s Office of Polar Programs.

USAP Science Summaries

Seasonal summaries of the scientific projects that take place in Antarctica.

Researchers & Science Projects

Learn about the progress and results of Antarctic research conducted by hundreds of scientists.

Science Discoveries

Find out about some of the scientific discoveries that have been made by U.S. Antarctic researchers in recent years.

International Polar Year

Visit the National Science Foundation's web portal for International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008.


Antarctic Research NSF's Antarctic research opportunities and guidelines on how to prepare a proposal for research support. International Polar Year The NSF is soliciting proposals for the International Polar Year (IPY). The OPP and the NSF's Directorate for Education and Human Resources have identified the special emphasis areas. The OPP also supports an additional Antarctic grant: The Antarctic Artists and Writers Program enables serious writings and the arts that increase understanding of the Antarctic and help document heritage. For more information about Antarctic opportunities or related NSF programs, visit the Office of Polar Programs .		The NSF supports a range of programs for educators in both formal and informal educational settings: Advisory Committee for Office of Polar Programs The Advisory Committee for Office of Polar Programs comprises experts who are familiar with polar operations, issues, and research. Specialized Information The NSF supports programs for educators at all levels and provides news of special interest: PolarTREC! PolarTREC is an educational research experience, funded by the National Science Foundation and managed by the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S., in which K-12 teachers participate in polar research, working closely with scientists as a pathway to improving science education. ARISE-ANDRILL Research Immersion for Science Educators The ARISE program is open to kindergarten through college science educators from Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the United States. All applicants must have at least three years of science teaching experience in a K-16 school or institution not including the current school year. For the U.S., this program is supported by the National Science Foundation. Opportunities for Educators Learn about the NSF's Visiting Scientist, Engineer, and Educator (VSEE) Program, and find out how to help further NSF's mission to support Antarctic science. K-12 Educators Undergraduate Students Graduate Students Postdoctoral Fellows		Teachers Experiencing Antarctica Accounts of K-12 teachers who have gone to Antarctica through the help of Rice University to work closely with scientists. Project Iceberg Six Educators from the multi-national ARISE (ANDRILL Research Immersion for Science Educators) team brought exciting science to the world during the October-January 2006 drilling season. Classroom Resources Most of these lessons and web resources come from the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) – an online library of resources for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Educational Tools Several USAP-associated agencies provide Antarctic educational tools for teachers and students. The WAIS Web Site The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) initiative is a multidisciplinary study of rapid climate change and future sea level.

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