Online Program
Adventures Online: Go Beyond the Ice in Antarctica
Program No. 24214RJ
Discover the wonders of the seventh continent without leaving home! Join our experts for a look into the wildlife and history of Antarctica during a live, online learning adventure.
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Day
1
Orientation, Introductions, Antarctica Overview, Falklands
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Orientation
Orientation and Introductions
As we meet our staff, we will have a brief overview on how to use Zoom, the program’s topic, guidelines, and the daily schedule.
Session 1
Overview of Antarctica
(Lecture)
In this overview of Antarctica, we will learn what makes it so special and what defines it geographically. We’ll also learn why some people call it Paradise Frozen, and the route of our expedition.
Lords of the Wind
(Lecture)
The Arctic is full of birds and Svalbard is one of the best places to see them. We will learn about the variety and impressive traits of Arctic sea-birds as well as land-birds. We will then will embark on our Zodiacs to visit one of the largest bird colonies in the world along the two mile-long cliffs of Alkefjellet, home of tens of thousands of Thick-billed Murres, Little Auks, and Glaucuous Gulls. We’ll then have a quick look at the 14th of July Glacier in Western Svalbard, where we will “meet” some Atlantic Puffins.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 2
The Falkland Islands
(Field Trip)
The Falkland Islands — Islas Malvinas — are home to fascinating flora and fauna. We will see several places that make these islands uniquely exciting. Highlights will include colonies of Black-Browed Albatross and Rockhopper Penguins on Saunders and Westpoint Islands. We will keep an eye out for Magellanic Penguins as well as the notorious Striated Caracara raptor, locally known as Johnny Rook. We’ll also “visit” the only town, Port Stanley, our departure point for sailing on towards the dramatic landscapes of South Georgia. On the way, we’ll look out to the impressive Shag Rocks as well as look for sea birds and whales.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Wrap-up
Daily Wrap-up
We will end with a review of the topics we have discussed today and a preview of what’s ahead for tomorrow.
End of Day
Today's session will end.
Day
2
South Georgia Wildlife, A68, Grytviken, Sealers & Whalers
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Session 1
Welcome
Greet everyone and review the day's schedule.
Shackleton Odyssey and the race of the South Pole
(Lecture)
We’ll also discuss the life and achievements of one of Antarctica's most famous heroes, Sir. Ernest Shackleton
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 2
Wildlife of South Georgia
(Lecture)
South Georgia is rich with wildlife. We will learn about the amazing lives of three of its most characteristic species: King Penguins, Fur Seals, and Elephant Seals. They astound not only with sheer numbers, but also elegant looks, boisterous behaviors, and gargantuan physiques. We’ll hear about astonishing stories they have to tell.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 3
Landing in South Georgia
(Field Trip)
On our way to this “landing” we will skirt and admire A68, the world’s largest iceberg, now stuck in the shallows. South Georgia and A68 are roughly the same size! We’ll then “land” at Grytviken, site of the local government. It also offers impressive remains of an old whaling station and a South Georgia museum. We’ll also pay our respects to Sir Ernest Shackleton and Frank Wild, heroes of Antarctic explorations, who are buried in the local cemetery, and raise a toast with the beverage of our choice. After an introduction to the challenges of surf landings typical of this place, we’ll move on to wilder areas. Highlights will include St. Andrew’s Bay, with thousands of Antarctic Fur Seals and the largest King Penguin colony in the world: 250 000 breeding pairs. Gold Harbour, another local jewel, is a relatively small bay surrounded by majestic glaciers and home to Elephant Seals, as well as King Penguins.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Wrap-up
Daily Wrap-up
We will end with a review of the topics we have discussed today and a preview of what’s ahead for tomorrow.
End of Day
Today's session will end.
Day
3
Antarctic Station Life, Arctowski Base, Terra Incognita
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Session 1
Welcome
Greet everyone and review the day's schedule.
Gentle Giants
(Lecture)
This lecture provides an overview of whales in Antarctica, highlighting their remarkable adaptations to life in icy waters. It offers insights into their behavior, biology, and the broader significance of these majestic marine mammals.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 2
Strangers in Paradise
(Lecture)
We will learn about the daily challenges and realities of life at a remote Antarctic station. We will “land” at Arctowski Base and see places where visitors are not ever allowed to go, such as the main building, scientific laboratories, the kitchen, and technical areas.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 3
Landing in Deception Island
(Field Trip)
One of Antarctica’s most remarkable volcanic sites, rich in history and natural wonders.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Wrap-up
Daily Wrap-up
We will end with a review of the topics we have discussed today and a preview of what’s ahead for tomorrow.
End of Day
Today's session will end.
Day
4
Age of Exploration, Antarctic Peninsula, Penguins
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Session 1
Welcome
Greet everyone and review the day's schedule.
Penguins
(Lecture)
We have seen them everywhere now, so it is time to learn more about penguins, the fascinating birds that make Antarctica what it is, and their adaptations and challenges
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 2
The Heroic Age of Exploration
(Lecture)
We will learn about the “heroic age of exploration” and some of the most exciting adventures from the end of the 19th century through the 1920s. These were the times of Robert Falcon Scott, Roald Amundsen, Douglas Mawson, and of course Shackleton, as well as other notable characters. We will focus on the three expeditions that are especially relevant to the areas we will be exploring: the Belgian, Swedish, and French expeditions. We will hear amazing stories most people have never heard before.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 3
Landing in Brown Bluff
(Field Trip)
We’re off to the Antarctic Peninsula! Our first landing will be at Brown Bluff, an immense cliff near Hope Bay at the tip of the peninsula. The cliff is what remains of an ancient volcano buried under a glacier. The site features eroded boulders as well as our first large colony of Adelie and Gentoo Penguins. We’ll see the ethereal Snow Petrel on its nest and some of the most picturesque and renowned parts of the Peninsula. We’ll go to stunning Neko Harbour with more Gentoo Penguins, and then in front of a Paradise Bay glacier via Zodiac. We’ll also learn the story of the fire at the Argentinian Station Almirante Brown.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Wrap-up
Daily Wrap-up
We will end with a review of the topics we have discussed today and a preview of what’s ahead for tomorrow.
End of Day
Today's session will end.
Day
5
Land of Seals, Antarctica Today, Lemaire Channel & Icebergs
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Session 1
Welcome
Greet everyone and review the day's schedule.
Antarctica Now
(Lecture)
Antarctica today is very different while in many ways the same as it was before exploration. We’ll address the Antarctic Treaty, climate change, and territorial disputes. We’ll also review some of the current issues regarding the places we have visited, their protection, and potential future.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 2
Seals
(Lecture)
We will learn about the evolution, adaptations, and daily lives of some of the sturdiest — yet cutest — inhabitants of Antarctica, seals. We’ll discover the most interesting fact about Creabbeater Seals, hear the haunting sounds of a Weddell Seal singing, and get to know the boisterous Leopard Seal.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 3
Landing in Lemaire
(Field Trip)
Our ship will take us through Lemaire Channel, a stunning tectonic canyon that is 2,200 feet (670 meters) wide at its narrowest point and surrounded by cliffs that reach heights of 3,300 feet (1,000 meters). Via our Zodiacs, we will set out to admire what has been called the “largest art gallery” in the world, gliding among icebergs that became stuck in Pleneau Bay, a veritable iceberg “graveyard.” A quick dash South will allow us to cross the Antarctic Circle. Heading northward again, we will make our final landing at the old British base at Port Lockroy, also known as “the Penguin Post Office.”
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Wrap-up
Program Wrap-up
We will recap what we’ve learned over the past few days and say farewell. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Program Conclusion
This concludes our program.