New
New
Antarctica: A frozen wilderness
I can describe the location of Antarctica and explain how it is studied.
Lesson 7 of 12
New
New
- Year 9
Antarctica: A frozen wilderness
I can describe the location of Antarctica and explain how it is studied.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Antarctica is a continent at the southern most point of the world.
- 91% of all glaciers are found in Antarctica.
- Scientists across the world work in Antarctica, but no-one lives there permanently.
Keywords
Glacier - a huge accumulation of ice and snow that moves slowly over land
Continent - a large continuous area of land on Earth
Antarctic Treaty - a natural area largely untouched by humans
Common misconception
Antarctica is an ocean covered in ice.
Antarctica is a continent, not an ocean. It has a landmass beneath its thick ice sheets, unlike the Arctic, which is sea ice floating on the ocean.
There a lots of news articles documenting Antarctic research and recent changes to ice.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the primary reason Antarctica is so cold?
What is the primary reason Antarctica is so cold?
It is covered in mountains that trap heat
It is close to the Arctic Circle
Q2.Which of the following is true about the landscape of Antarctica?
Which of the following is true about the landscape of Antarctica?
It is a tropical rainforest
It is mostly desert with no ice
It has lush, green forests
Q3.Why is Antarctica often called a 'desert'?
Why is Antarctica often called a 'desert'?
Because it gets little sunlight
Because it has no animals
Because it is covered in sand
Q4.Antarctica is a ...
Antarctica is a ...
country
county
Q5.Which hemisphere is Antarctica located in?
Which hemisphere is Antarctica located in?
Northern hemisphere
Western hemisphere
Q6.Which animal is famously associated with Antarctica?
Which animal is famously associated with Antarctica?
Kangaroos
Lions
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Antarctica is ...
Antarctica is ...
an ocean covered in ice.
a tropical archipelago.
Q2.91% of all in the world are found in Antarctica.
91% of all in the world are found in Antarctica.
Q3.What is the primary characteristic of Antarctica’s climate?
What is the primary characteristic of Antarctica’s climate?
Hot and humid weather
Warm temperatures with heavy rainfall
Mild, temperate conditions
Q4.Who inhabits Antarctica?
Who inhabits Antarctica?
The indigenous population
No one lives there
