WHY IS THERE ONE LONG DAY AND ONE LONG NIGHT IN ANTARCTICA?

Take a day, a week, or a whole month to investigate what causes Antarctica’s six-month summers and winters by studying day and cycles across the globe.

• If you want teacher strategies, assessment, and a schedule for the unit, start with Curriculum Materials. Then download all the activities (with handouts) and readings.
• If you want stand-alone, hands-on, or research on the Web activities and don't need teacher strategies to go with them, go directly to Activities.
• If you want accessible content readings that will help your students connect to day and night cycles, go straight to Articles. You'll find interviews with real scientists as well as content readings written by or about Antarctic researchers.

		Why Is There One Long Day and One Long Night in Antarctica? Curriculum Materials for grades 7 through 10 See firsthand why our daylight saving's time has nothing on Antarctica's definition of a long day—and learn what causes day and night cycles across the globe.
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		Earth Viewer Evidence and Analysis for grades 6 through 12 When the sun is setting where you live, where is it rising? And where on Earth can an entire season go by without a minute of darkness? Find out with this interactive tool.
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		Seasonal Cycle Evidence and Analysis for grades 6 through 12 If the Earth turns all the way around every 24 hours, then why are some days longer than others? And why do we have winter and summer? See the answers for yourself—in a matter of seconds.
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		Research on the Web: Earth Viewer Activity for grades 6 through 12 When the sun is setting where you live, where is it rising? And where on Earth can an entire season go by without a minute of darkness? Find out with this interactive Web investigation.
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		Seeing the Light Activity for grades 6 through 12 This simple experiment eases the task of understanding daily and seasonal cycles of day and night. See firsthand why the length of daylight changes along with your location on Earth.
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		Excerpt: Living at the Pole by Paul Siple Article for grades 7 through 12 Siple's Antarctic trips are legendary. At 10, he was selected in a nationwide Boy Scout search to travel there. Several decades later, he was part of the first group to winter over at the South Pole.
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		Let's Talk with David Nold about Safety and Wintering Over in Antarctica Article for grades 6 through 12 Antarctica's winter runs from mid-February through late August. If you decide to stay, you're there for the duration—all aircraft traffic is stopped. Learn how research crews prepare to go it alone.
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		Letter from Stephanie: Day & Night Cycles Article for grades 6 through 12 In Antarctica, the Sun never sets during the summer or rises during the winter. But do you know why? Learn the answer from a researcher who summers in the land of constant daylight.
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