STUDENTS ON ICE ANTARCTIC YOUTH EXPEDITION 2013   December 27, 2013–January 10, 2014   The Students on Ice Antarctic Youth Expedition 2013 is one of the most comprehensive and exciting Antarctic expedition for youth ever undertaken. It will serve as a powerful and unique international platform to create change, inspire, educate, give cause for hope, and raise awareness around the world about the impacts of climate change and other environmental and geopolitical issues facing Antarctica.   The ship-based journey will explore southern South America, the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding Southern Ocean. It will involve 75 international high school and university students. High school students will be 14-18 years old; university students will be undergraduates and graduates from post-secondary institutions around the world. The students will travel on this transformative adventure together with a team of 30 world-renowned scientists, historians, artists, explorers, educators, leaders, innovators and polar experts. Students on the expedition will develop knowledge, skills, perspectives and practices that will help them to be Antarctic ambassadors and environmentally responsible citizens.     How to participate   We are looking for high school students between the age of 14-18 years old who can demonstrate a passion for and interest in the Polar Regions, adventure, education, and the environment. The selection process for our expeditions is competitive so applicants should be able to demonstrate qualities such as a record of academic achievement, environmental interest, leadership potential, community involvement, and/or a strong desire to make a difference and become a youth ambassador for change. We accept applicants from any country in the world.   Participation fees for the Antarctic 2013-14 expedition are $13,500 departing from Toronto and $11,500 from Buenos Aires. Fuel surcharges may apply and expedition fees do not include travel to and from the city of departure.   Scholarships and fundraising   Some students participating on Students on Ice expeditions are funded through scholarships provided by our partner organizations. Interested students can download an application form here and submit the form with all required documentation to the Participant Coordinator by email, fax or regular mail at the coordinates below. Students on Ice also provides a toolkit to help students raise funds in their local communities to cover some or all of the participation fees.   For more information on the application details, visit our Participate Section or contact the Students on Ice office. There is no firm deadline for the submission of applications but as there are a limited number of spots available, we encourage students to submit their applications as early as possible. The Students on Ice participant selection committee meets regularly to review applications. Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance within two weeks after receipt of your application.   Application submissions: Participant Coordinator Students on Ice Natural Heritage Building 1740 chemin Pink Gatineau, Quebec, Canada J9J 3N7 Toll free: 1-866-336-6423 Tel: 819-827-3300 Fax: 819-827-9951 Email: apply@studentsonice.com     EXPEDITION DETAILS   Discovery Our expedition occurs during the Austral summer, when the weather is best and when Antarctica becomes home to the greatest concentration of wildlife on Earth. The surrounding sea ice has melted enough to allow our ship entry into the awe-inspiring Antarctic waters abundant with millions of penguins, seals, seabirds and whales. This journey that once took explorers two years to accomplish, will now take us just over two weeks!   Adventure In the true spirit of adventure, our Antarctic expedition itinerary will be flexible, and we will use our fleet of Zodiac boats to make landings along the coast wherever exciting opportunities arise. We will navigate amongst towering icebergs to land on remote islands teeming with curious penguins. Students will not have any virtual experiences on this expedition, they will see, hear, smell and touch the awesome beauty and power of Antarctica. All our activities will adhere strictly to Antarctic visitor and environmental guidelines - we will take nothing but photographs, memories and new perspective, and leave nothing but footprints. Knowledge Each student will participate in an outstanding educational program. During the expedition, experienced educators will be on board offering seminars and participatory presentations focused on many topics including the history, geography, flora and fauna of the Antarctic. Our expedition staff includes international scientists conducting on-going research projects in which the students can participate. Daily field excursions while in Antarctica will bring their studies to life and make the overall experience even more enriching. Future Each student expeditioner will undoubtedly return home as an ambassador for the Antarctic, with a new understanding and respect for our planet, and an broadened perspective of the Earth as a global ecosystem. Through personal experience, the student expeditioners will ponder the complex environmental, geopolitical and economical issues facing Antarctica, while simultaneously exploring solutions and policy alternatives. Proposed solutions and recommendations to the challenges facing the Antarctic and the planet will be important outcomes of onboard Student Forums. We are at a critical point in the Earth’s history. Youth have a key role to play in shaping the world of today and the world of tomorrow. The Students on Ice Antarctic Youth Expedition 2013 will inspire young leaders to make a difference at home and around the world.