Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Ice Quest: The Past and Future of Antarctica” [working title] -- a major documentary and outreach project for international public broadcasting.  (Ice Quest)

Outline
For millions of years, immense ice sheets have buried the Antarctic continent and played a major, though only partially understood, role in global climate change. Some researchers believe that we are now heading toward a situation last seen about 200 million years ago, when ice sheets were totally absent from Antarctica. What does that mean for the earth’s future climate and environment? For the International Polar Year of 2007-09, NOVA, the leading science documentary series on U.S. public television, proposes to develop an ambitious two-hour television program that will follow the progress of key research efforts in Antarctica over an extended period leading up to IPY. The program will explore such questions as: How and when did Antarctica first become the icy, snowbound continent it is today? How did life adapt to such arduous conditions? What is the impact of the unprecedented melting taking place in Antarctica? Could it lead to sudden instability in the climate system, and how serious would the consequences be? NOVA will collaborate with its regular broadcasting partners in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and elsewhere, ensuring that the program will be seen by millions of viewers worldwide and enabling its content to be adapted for specific national audiences. In mid-June 2005, NOVA will submit a proposal to the National Science Foundation’s Informal Science Education division requesting support not only for the television program but for extensive educational, community and Web outreach efforts, similar to many successful NOVA projects previously funded by NSF. These will ensure that the content of “Ice Quest” and the issues raised by the program reach a broad, diverse audience, and have an impact far beyond the initial broadcast date. It will obviously require careful research to determine which IPY scientific projects would be featured in the program. One approach might be, for example, to profile the long-running ANDRILL project on the Ross Sea continental shelf and compare its evidence with the perspective from inland Antarctica that will be forthcoming from the SALEGOS project at Lake Ellsworth. Besides issues of long-term climatic change, NOVA’s program may also look at the shorter-term focus of projects such as ITASE, which would raise the issue of industrial pollution at the poles. NOVA has a distinguished record in producing documentaries on science in Antarctica. “Warnings from the Ice,” on Antarctic climate research, and “Shackleton’s Voyage of Endurance” both won Emmy Awards in 1998 and 2002 respectively.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
NOVA’s “Ice Quest” will: -- present a vivid picture of Antarctica’s environment and how it has changed over time. -- link findings about the continent’s history to major issues of global climate change. -- show the unparalleled scale of IPY research and its multidisciplinary, international aspect. -- emphasize current limits to knowledge and the unknowns that challenge researchers. -- carefully explain processes and the latest scientific techniques to engage viewers. -- feature researchers with diverse gender and ethnic identities as role models for future polar scientists. -- encourage local community and school involvement in polar issues through outreach activities.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
As already mentioned, NOVA would develop the project in close consultation with international broadcasting partners so that versions appropriate to the needs of particular national viewing audiences could be readily produced. The program would focus on IPY projects with diverse international teams.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The filming locations would depend on the research teams chosen for the program. Preliminary research suggests that promising locations might include among others, an ANDRILL site on the Ross Sea continental shelf, the SALEGOS project at Lake Ellsworth, Lake Vostok, etc.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: To be determined --       dependent on field projects      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Air transportation and field accommodation for a television producer, associate producer, camera, and sound operator, over perhaps two consecutive field seasons, covering at least three or four separate research projects in the Antarctic. Approximate estimate of 40 shooting days.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
“Ice Quest” will have an impact long after its broadcast through its Web site and outreach activities. The program will be available on DVD and VHS video. A 2004 PBS study found that NOVA is the most used science video resource in U.S. high schools, while NOVA Online Teacher Guides attract some 20,000 I.P. visitors per week.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
National agency
Commercial operator

As part of our NSF proposal we will request their support for transportation assistance. We would also hire a company such as Poles Apart (based in Cambridge, UK), which we have already used for previous expedition planning in Antarctica.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
We will submit a letter of intent to the National Science Foundation by March 18, 2005.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Expansion

This proposal is for a new television program that will appear as part of the long-running NOVA series on PBS, as well as on other international networks.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed within the WGBH Science Unit, producers of NOVA programs for the last 32 years. As mentioned, we would closely collaborate with partner broadcasters such as BBC Horizon or Channel Four in the UK. For our NSF proposal, we will establish an advisory committee, design extensive Web and outreach activities, and include plans for formative and summative evaluation of the project.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We will propose a range of activities similar to projects previously supported by NSF, including a dedicated Web site within NOVA Online (see http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova), a NOVA Teachers Guide, ideas for community and museum activities, and workshops to help develop researchers’ public communication skills.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
N/A

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Through co-production contributions from international broadcasters and an NSF ISE grant. However, the high cost of production in the Antarctic will probably require additional fundraising by WGBH. Potential IPY-identified sources of funding may prove crucial in realizing a project of appropriate scope and quality to match the significance of IPY.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
NOVA science documentaries are distinguished by their in-depth approach, their emphasis on the processes of scientific inquiry, and by a commitment to follow science stories over periods of months or years. Although it will require a large budget, “Ice Quest” has the potential to reach a broad audience and engage them in understanding the wide range of evidence that IPY will contribute to our knowledge of polar science.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr Evan Hadingham
125 Western Avenue
Boston, MA
02134
USA

Tel: 617-300-4355
Mobile: no
Fax: 617-300-1003
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation