This project is designed to support the UK National Curriculum in science and geography. It comprises two flexible one-hour sessions, which teachers can adapt to suit the needs of students from Year 5 to Year 9.

Over the two sessions, students will learn about glacier formation, their role as climate records, and the consequences of melting, such as rising sea levels and habitat loss. They will engage in activities to simulate glacier melting, design flood prevention solutions, and create a sustainable vision for the future.

Each session includes hands-on activities and video content that offers a personal perspective on climate change.

The resources for this project are available to download in the Jump In section.

Svalbard, the most northerly human settlement on Earth, is the home of 2,500 people and 3,000 polar bears. This spectacular landscape provides the backdrop for students to explore climate adaptation and connection around the world, which is appropriate as Svalbard is warming twice as fast as the rest of the Arctic, which itself is warming four-and-a-half times faster than the rest of the planet (wired.com).

ootiboo shot the video content that accompanies these lessons on location in Svalbard in August 2023. The videos are hosted by environmentalist and cinematographer Jannicke Mikkelsen, a resident of Svalbard, to offer a local perspective on the challenges their community faces.

Here's a short behind the scenes glimpse of our beta test workshop at Hillcross Primary

eCo: Glaciers was originally developed as part of our eCo: Svalbard project. To find out more about the project's history and development, visit the eCo: Svalbard page: