International Arctic Project Will Steger, renowned polar explorer, is leading an international team of five explorers and scientists on the first surface crossing of the Arctic Ocean by dogsled in a single season. In a four month historic journey which began in March 1995, the researchers and explorers of the International Arctic Project (IAP) will travel by dogsled and specially designed canoeÐsleds across 2,000 miles of solid and broken sea ice from Russia to Canada via the North Pole and will conduct experiments en route. In 1986, Steger led the first unsupported trek to the North Pole since Admiral Peary. Then, in 1990, he led the first traverse of Antarctica by dogsled. Through the IAP expedition, he hopes to draw attention to the vital importance of the Arctic's ecosystem and the dynamic and critical role it plays in sustaining a healthy global environment. It is rapidly becoming a repository for a wide range of contaminants from the world's industries. The same qualities that make the Arctic unique in our imagination s Ñextreme cold and long periods of darknessÑalso act to extend the shelf life of pollutants deposited there. The team departed from the Russian Arctic island of Severnaya Zemlya on March 8, 1995, and plans to reach the North Pole by Earth Day, April 22, for an international celebration. They will then continue across the Arctic Ocean to Resolute, Northwest Territories, in the Canadian Arctic, completing their 2,000 mile trek in late June. A crossing of this magnitude has never been achieved in one season because the ice breaks in the late spring. The IAP team expects to face temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit and winds that could exceed hurricane force. To survive comfortably and safely in the harsh Arctic environment, they will rely upon the newest clothing systems for survival. For example, a specially designed five-layer clothing system will adapt to the varying conditions the team will face. A special, high carbohydrate diet has been developed for the team members as well as a special diet for the Òreal heroes,Ó the 22 dogs leading the expedition. In conjunction with the expedition, students worldwide will study the Arctic and focus on some of the unique environmental challenges encountered there. Using the latest computer and communications technology, students will be able to interact with team members and each other via the Internet and the Scholastic Network on America Online. As Steger, who is also an author and educator with a firm commitment to the environment, points out, ÒThe hope for addressing the complex environmental issues we face li es in a global demonstration of interactive education. Beginning with an understanding of the Arctic region, I believe we can transform the natural interest students have in adventure into a comprehensive understanding of the interrelated nature of the world.Ó The International Arctic Project Home Page can be found on the World Wide Web by pointing your browser to http://scholastic.com:2005. To reach the IAP via Gopher, set your gopher to scholastic.com. Reset the port from the standard 70 to 2003. This site shares lots of information about the expedition including: - Weekly Update - Archive of Weekly Updates - Explorers photos and bios - Map of the journey - About the Dogs - Gear & Supplies - Diet & Nutrition - Articles from Scholastic News - A Journey to the Top of the World The Arctic: Closer Than You Think Life at the Top of the WorldArctic Bibliography Members of Scholastic Network on America Online, an interactive online service for K-12 educators and students, also have access to these events: - Special event calendar - Program Highlights - Reports from the Team - Dog of the Week - Live interviews with: explorers, dog trainers, and designers of food, clothing and gear for Arctic climates - Discussions with: sea ice experts, meteorologists, Arctic cultures experts, and an Aurora Borealis scientist. Scholastic Network, is covering the expedition on a regular basis and will have team members posting daily reports online, giving live online interviews, and ready-to-use lesson plans exclusively for their members. To reach Scholastic Network on America Online, choose: keyword, ÒscholasticÓ. Via E-mail: For general comments and questions, or to be added to the IAP listserv which sends daily updates, send mail to arcproject@aol.com, with ÒArctic UpdatesÓ in the subject line. To join Scholastic Network, call 1Ð800Ð246Ð2986. For further information, contact: Susan Mernit Director, Network Development Scholastic Network 555 Broadway New York, NY 10012 Phone: (212) 343Ð4920 EÐmail: susanim@aol.com or International Arctic Project 413 Wacouta Street Gilbert Building, Suite 200 St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 USA Phone: (612) 293Ð0644 EÐmail: arcproject@aol.com .