BE-POLES: the Belgian Polar Research cluster

Complementary resources

BE-POLES presented two contests at their stand at the annual assembly of scientific teachers, organized by ‘Congrès pluraliste des Sciences’.

25 August 2005

The ‘congrès pluraliste des sciences’ is an umbrella organisation that covers three associations of scientific teachers : la Fédération des Professeurs de Géographie (FEGEPRO asbl), l'Association des professeurs de biologie (PROBIO asbl), and l'Association Belge des Professeurs de Physique et de Chimie (ABPPC asbl). This organisation aims at informing scientific teachers about education tools, methods, subjects and activities to be used in secondary schools. Prior to the school year they organize annually a symposium as to inform the teachers about latest novelties.

This year the event took place from 24 until 26 August 2005 at the university Louvain-la-Neuve.

Sandra Vanhove (IPF), together with professor Jean-Pierre Henriet (UGent), presented at a stand two contests that will last during the 2005-2006 school-year in the frame-work of BE-POLES.

1. Pole-position: This contest is an initiative of the Federal minister of Science Policy, Mr. Marc Verwilghen, in cooperation with the Federal Science Policy, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, The International Polar Foundation and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. On 26 November inscriptions were closed. 76 school teams subscribed successfully and started working on their project. The deadline for finishing the project is 26 February 2006.

2. Class@poles: This contest is coordinated by the Renard Centre of Marine Geology (RCMG), and aims developing a project on polar ice. Two young ambassadors will win the prize of an expedition to Spitsbergen.