Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understand the geography of Antarctica: Students should be able to describe the location, climate, topography, and biodiversity of Antarctica. This includes understanding the geographical position of the continent, the ocean currents surrounding it, the extreme climate prevailing there, the presence of mountains and glaciers, and the animal and plant life that survives in these extreme conditions.

2. Analyze human activities in Antarctica: Students should be able to identify and explain the main human activities that occur in Antarctica, such as scientific research, tourism, and the exploitation of natural resources. This includes understanding the international treaties that regulate human presence on the continent, the environmental impacts of these activities, and the challenges of living and working in Antarctica.

3. Discuss the importance of Antarctica to the world: Students should be able to articulate why Antarctica is a place of global importance. This includes appreciating the role of Antarctica in the global climate system, the wealth of scientific information that can be obtained there, and the intrinsic value of the last great wilderness area on the planet.

Secondary Objectives

• Promote environmental awareness: By learning about Antarctica and its environmental challenges, students are expected to develop a greater sensitivity to issues of sustainability and conservation.
• Foster critical thinking: Through the discussion of topics such as Antarctic treaties and the exploitation of natural resources, students will have the opportunity to enhance their critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Content Review: The teacher should start the lesson by reminding students of basic geographical concepts, such as latitude and longitude, ocean currents, ecosystems, and biodiversity. This review is crucial for students to fully understand the content that will be covered in the lesson. (3 - 5 minutes)

2. Problem Situation 1: 'The last unexplored continent?': The teacher should present to students the fact that Antarctica is the only continent not yet commercially explored. This should lead students to reflect on the reasons behind this lack of exploration and the possible impacts that the exploitation of its natural resources could have on the local ecosystem and global climate. (3 - 4 minutes)

3. Problem Situation 2: 'Life in Antarctica': The teacher should then introduce students to the existence of researchers and scientists who live and work in Antarctica for long periods. This should arouse students' curiosity about what life is like in these extreme conditions and the challenges that these explorers face. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. Contextualization: To demonstrate the relevance of the content, the teacher can explain that Antarctica plays a crucial role in the global climate system and is a natural laboratory for conducting scientific research that can help understand and combat climate change. In addition, Antarctica is an important tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world. (2 - 3 minutes)

5. Introduction to the Topic: Finally, the teacher should introduce the topic of the lesson: 'Antarctica: Natural and Human Aspects'. The teacher should explain that the lesson will explore the geography of Antarctica, the human activities that take place there, and the importance of this continent to the world. (1 - 2 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Geography of Antarctica (8 - 10 minutes)

   1. Geographical Location: The teacher should explain that Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth, located almost entirely within the Antarctic Circle. It should mention that the continent is surrounded by the Antarctic Ocean and that most of the continent is covered by a layer of ice that reaches 4.7 km thick.
   2. Climate: The teacher should detail that Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth, with average temperatures ranging from -10°C to -60°C throughout the year. It should also mention that Antarctica is the driest continent on Earth, with an average annual precipitation of only 200 mm in its coastal areas.
   3. Topography: The teacher should explain that Antarctica is characterized by its mountainous topography, with the presence of two major mountain chains, the Transantarctic Mountains and the Antarctic Peninsula Ranges. It should also mention that Antarctica has the largest amount of ice on Earth, with about 90% of the planet's ice.
   4. Biodiversity: The teacher should highlight that, despite the harsh environmental conditions, Antarctica is home to a rich diversity of life, including penguins, seals, whales, seabirds, and a variety of microorganisms adapted to extreme cold. It should also emphasize that Antarctica is one of the last refuges for wildlife on our planet.

2. Human Activities in Antarctica (6 - 8 minutes)

   1. Scientific Research: The teacher should explain that Antarctica is an important center for scientific research. It should mention that scientists there conduct studies in a variety of fields, including glaciology, climatology, biology, and atmospheric physics. It should also mention that Antarctica offers unique conditions for research on climate change.
   2. Tourism: The teacher should explain that tourism in Antarctica is a rapidly growing industry. It should mention that tourists visit Antarctica to experience its natural beauty and unique wildlife. It should also mention that tourism in Antarctica is regulated to minimize impacts on the environment.
   3. Exploitation of Natural Resources: The teacher should explain that, despite the Antarctic Treaty prohibiting the exploitation of natural resources, some countries and companies have claimed rights to areas of Antarctica due to potential oil and gas reserves. It should also mention that the exploitation of natural resources in Antarctica could have serious consequences for the environment.

3. Importance of Antarctica to the World (6 - 7 minutes)

   1. Role in the Global Climate System: The teacher should explain that Antarctica plays a crucial role in the global climate system. It should mention that the ice in Antarctica reflects solar light back into space, helping to regulate Earth's temperature. It should also mention that Antarctica is one of the first places to feel the effects of climate change.
   2. Natural Laboratory: The teacher should explain that Antarctica is a natural laboratory for conducting scientific research. It should mention that Antarctica offers scientists the opportunity to study untouched ecosystems, geological processes, and atmospheric phenomena.
   3. Unique Wilderness Area: The teacher should emphasize that Antarctica is one of the last great wilderness areas on the planet. It should mention that preserving Antarctica is crucial for the conservation of global biodiversity and the protection of threatened species.

Return (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Content Review (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher should start the Return stage by asking students to summarize what they have learned about the geography of Antarctica, the human activities that take place there, and the importance of this continent to the world.
   • Students should be allowed to express their ideas freely, correcting any misconceptions and reinforcing key learning points.
   • The teacher may ask students to share what impressed them the most or what they found most interesting about Antarctica.

2. Connection to Practice (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher should then connect theory to practice by asking students how what they have learned applies to the real world.
   • For example, the teacher may ask students how scientific research in Antarctica can help understand and combat climate change, or how tourism in Antarctica can be regulated to minimize impacts on the environment.
   • The teacher should encourage students to make connections with current news, personal experiences, or other study topics.

3. Individual Reflection (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher should then ask students to reflect for a minute on the questions:
     1. 'What was the most important concept you learned today?'
     2. 'What questions do you still have?'
   • After the minute of reflection, students should be invited to share their answers with the class.
   • The teacher should value all answers, reinforcing important concepts and clarifying any doubts students may have.

4. Feedback (1 minute)

   • The teacher should then provide general feedback on the lesson, highlighting the class's strengths and providing suggestions for future improvements.
   • The teacher may also ask for feedback from students on the lesson, asking what they liked most and what they would like to see more of in future lessons.

5. Closure (1 minute)

   • To conclude the lesson, the teacher should summarize the key learning points and reinforce the importance of the content studied.
   • The teacher may also suggest additional materials for study, such as documentaries, books, or websites about Antarctica.
   • Finally, the teacher should thank the students for their participation and encourage them to continue exploring the fascinating world of geography.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Recap of Contents (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher should summarize the key points covered in the lesson, reiterating the geography of Antarctica, the human activities that take place there, and the importance of the continent to the world.
   • Students should be reminded of the geographical location of Antarctica, its extreme climate, its mountainous topography, the unique biodiversity it harbors, and the human activities that occur on the continent.
   • The teacher should also reinforce the importance of Antarctica to the global climate system, its role as a natural laboratory, and the need to preserve this last great wilderness area on the planet.

2. Theory-Practice Connection (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher should highlight how the lesson connected theory with practice. For example, the discussion on scientific research in Antarctica showed how theoretical knowledge is applied in practice to understand and combat climate change.
   • The teacher should also reinforce how the study of human activities in Antarctica and their environmental implications helps students better understand the challenges of sustainability and conservation.

3. Additional Materials (1 minute)

   • The teacher should suggest additional materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge about Antarctica. This may include documentaries, books, websites, and articles from scientific journals.
   • Some examples of recommended resources could be: 'March of the Penguins' (documentary), 'Antarctica: A Guide to the Wildlife' (book), the British Antarctic Survey website, and the article 'The Unique Role of Antarctica in the Earth System' (scientific journal article).

4. Importance of the Subject (1 minute)

   • To conclude, the teacher should emphasize the importance of the knowledge acquired in the lesson for students' daily lives.
   • The teacher can highlight how understanding the geography and importance of Antarctica can help students better understand the world we live in, climate change, and the importance of nature conservation.
   • The teacher should also reinforce the importance of developing environmental awareness and promoting sustainability, lessons that can be learned through the study of Antarctica.