The International Polar Year is a multi-country scientific study of the ice sheets in the Arctic and Antarctic poles and the ocean waters surrounding them. It started in March of 2007 and runs for two years. Two hundred proposed experiments involving thousands of scientists from over 60 nations have started studies that should help us learn more about the continued warming of the climate over the earth. Scientists are studying physical, biological, and geological subjects with the goal of learning the interaction of the pole environments with the meteorological events over the globe.

In a press release from the U.S. National Committee for the International Polar Year Dr. Robin Bell, chair of the Committee and a geophysicist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, N.Y said, "The polar regions are central to many of the key scientific questions of our times, IPY provides a framework to undertake projects that normally could not be achieved by any single nation, and it allows us to think beyond traditional borders—whether national borders or disciplinary constraints—toward a new level of integrated, cooperative science. IPY also will serve as a mechanism to attract and develop a new generation of scientists and engineers with the versatility to tackle complex global issues."

IPY is a chance for everyone to get involved and teachers over the world are participating in educating their students. A web site has been set up to help teachers and students stay informed. Here are some of the things the site outlines: