PBI's Educational Projects
PBI's Leadership Camp students learn first-hand about the impacts of global warming on polar bears—and then return to their home communities to communicate the message and inspire change. Photo © B.J. Kirschoffer. Click the image to enlarge.
Scientists believe that we have a five- to 10-year window before we reach the tipping point with global climate change—although it will take 30 to 40 years for significant changes to show. To communicate this message and rally the public, PBI has developed an Adventure Learning Program that reaches millions of people every year, inspiring them to become Ambassadors of the Arctic. Some aspects of the program are directed at students, the leaders of tomorrow. Others are geared towards adults, including teachers and community leaders.
Leadership Camp
Every fall, top students from around the world gather on the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba, to attend PBI's Leadership Camp, which is designed to help educate the teens about polar bears and the issues they face—and to inspire them to return to their communities to make a difference. Graduates of the program have launched carbon-reducing efforts, recycling programs, and awareness campaigns in their home communities. In addition, they've given countless media interviews and presentations. Next fall's program will include one camp for teens and one zoo keepers, who will reach yet another audience.
Project Polar Bear
Teams of teens across the U.S. and Canada enthusiastically embraced this bi-national contest, which invited students to develop community projects that will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere—a concept that reflects PBI's belief in the power of kids motivating other kids.
Arctic Ambassador Centers
This program is headquartered at the Zoological Society of San Diego, which has formed an alliance with PBI. It includes establishing over 40 Arctic Ambassador Centers in zoos worldwide, with an outreach to millions of zoo visitors. The centers focus on polar bear research, education, and animal well-being.
Tundra Connections
Every fall, PBI's educators and field scientists teach live classes from the tundra via video conferences and webcasts. The classes allow students to have one-on-one conversations with leading educators. The webcasts help students understand the problems facing polar bears and raise awareness of how each of us can help. The live sessions reach tens of thousands of students; thousands more view the classes on our website via archived tapes.
Interpretive Carts
Through its Arctic Ambassador program, PBI has distributed Interpretive Carts to zoos with polar bears. Each includes a polar bear skull replica, a claw replica, a sample of polar bear fur, a satellite collar, ear tags, plus images, maps, and mini posters.
Leadership Camp
Every fall, top students from around the world gather on the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba, to attend PBI's Leadership Camp, which is designed to help educate the teens about polar bears and the issues they face—and to inspire them to return to their communities to make a difference. Graduates of the program have launched carbon-reducing efforts, recycling programs, and awareness campaigns in their home communities. In addition, they've given countless media interviews and presentations. Next fall's program will include one camp for teens and one zoo keepers, who will reach yet another audience.
Project Polar Bear
Teams of teens across the U.S. and Canada enthusiastically embraced this bi-national contest, which invited students to develop community projects that will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere—a concept that reflects PBI's belief in the power of kids motivating other kids.
Arctic Ambassador Centers
This program is headquartered at the Zoological Society of San Diego, which has formed an alliance with PBI. It includes establishing over 40 Arctic Ambassador Centers in zoos worldwide, with an outreach to millions of zoo visitors. The centers focus on polar bear research, education, and animal well-being.
Tundra Connections
Every fall, PBI's educators and field scientists teach live classes from the tundra via video conferences and webcasts. The classes allow students to have one-on-one conversations with leading educators. The webcasts help students understand the problems facing polar bears and raise awareness of how each of us can help. The live sessions reach tens of thousands of students; thousands more view the classes on our website via archived tapes.
Interpretive Carts
Through its Arctic Ambassador program, PBI has distributed Interpretive Carts to zoos with polar bears. Each includes a polar bear skull replica, a claw replica, a sample of polar bear fur, a satellite collar, ear tags, plus images, maps, and mini posters.