You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Ambassador Buzzbee
Kia ora,
My name is Buzzbee and I am excited about going to Antarctica.
I usually live in Rimu Room at Spring Creek School in Blenheim. I have been on one other adventure this year to Stewart Island and I am so excited about learning new things. I have learnt that I might see some penguins and seals and that it will be very cold in Antarctica. Luckily I have a woolly hat and coat to keep me warm.
From Buzzbee.
Tuesday 8 November
Kia ora,
It was so cool flying down to Antarctica on board the C17 Globemaster with the US Airforce. Even though the seats were really uncomfortable and there were only 4 tiny little windows it was a great experience. These planes look so big it is hard to believe they can fly. We were lucky enough to be able to visit the pilots in the cockpit and we could see sea ice for miles.
We had to do Antarctic field training before we were allowed outside and I learnt all about how to stay safe in this freezing cold place. At least I have nice woolly gear to keep me cosy.
Chat tomorrow,
Buzzbee.
Wednesday 9 November
Kia ora koutou,
It was so cool to see Hillary’s Hut today. This hut was the beginning of New Zealand’s Scott Base. We couldn't go inside the hut because asbestos was being removed. We did look through the window though and could not see much. Walls are being stripped and there doesn’t seem to be much left. I am sure it will look amazing when it is finished.
Restoring huts in Antarctica is not easy. The cold weather makes things like painting really difficult – paint doesn’t work too well if it freezes! Luckily the Antarctic Heritage Trust has worked on other huts in Antarctica and knows what to do.
Tomorrow we will see how Scott’s Discovery Hut has been restored.
Talk soon,
Buzzbee.
Thursday 10 November
Kia ora,
I have been looking forward to catching up with my classmates so it was neat to hear your voices on the audioconference. Everyone asked such great questions and I learnt heaps. Dragon and I were so proud of you all.
We were given special permission to explore the old 1902 Discovery Hut today. This hut was built during Scott’s first expedition to Antarctica. The hut was not built in a very good place and did not keep the weather out very well so it was only used for storing things.
I can’t wait to see Scott’s other hut out at Cape Evans tomorrow.
See you later,
Buzzbee.
Friday 11 November
Kia ora koutou,
It was cool to go out and about today and explore. We travelled on a Hagglund over sea ice all the way out to Cape Evans which is north of Scott Base. This is where Scott based his second Antarctic Expedition back in 1910 and where five people, including Scott began their attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole.
Lizzie told us about the expedition and how the men were beaten to the Pole by Amundsen from Norway and then died on their return only a few miles from their last food depot. Inside Scott’s Hut we could see lots of science equipment. Scott’s team did heaps of science and their work is still useful today.
Tomorrow we are heading out to Cape Royds.
See you there,
Buzzbee.
Monday 14 November
Kia ora,
We were sorry to hear about all the earthquakes that have happened back home and hope that everyone is safe and well. We didn’t feel the quakes here but the seismograph measured the p wave 8 minutes after the earthquake happened in New Zealand.
We went back out on to the sea ice in the Hagglunds today. We travelled all the way out to Cape Royds which is a rocky point at the western end of Ross Island. Here we discovered Shackleton’s Hut which was built back in 1907. Shackleton’s team did lots of exploring and science. They even collected rocks from the top of Mount Erebus.
I am looking forward to seeing how scientists work today when we visit Natalie out at their sea ice field camp tomorrow.
See you then,
Buzzbee.
Tuesday 15 November
Kia ora,
I was determined to make the most of our last day here at Scott Base. We had the perfect start to the day with a helicopter ride out to the K131 science camp on the sea ice. I thought we would be heading out by skidoo but it was a bit too far and would have taken three hours there and another three hours back.
I learnt about how scientists study the ocean to better understand how sea ice forms. It was really cool seeing the platelet ice that only forms here in Antarctica. I met Gabby who is an artist and she takes amazing photos of the platelet ice.
I have had an awesome time here in Antarctica but I am looking forward to catching up with you all soon.
Buzzbee.
Buzzbee has dressed up warm ready to head south. Image: LEARNZ.
Buzzbee on board the C17 aircraft on its way to Antarctica. Image: LEARNZ.
Buzzbee explores the sea ice outside Scott Base. Image: LEARNZ.
Buzzbee outside Hillary's Trans-Antarctic Expedition Hut. Image: LEARNZ.
Buzzbee finds some supplies inside the old Discovery Hut, which was built in 1902. Image: LEARNZ.
Buzzbee explores Cape Evans which is north of Scott Base. Image: LEARNZ.
Buzzbee looks around Shackleton's Hut at Cape Royds. Image: LEARNZ.
Buzzbee checks out the hole in the sea ice that scientists have made so they can take measurements of the sea water. Image: LEARNZ.
Buzzbee outside the scientists' field camp out on the sea ice in McMurdo Sound. Image: LEARNZ.