Two lecturers and two students from West Nottinghamshire College have just set off on a 10-day journey to the South Pole. If they reach the intended destination, they will be the first educational establishment to complete the 111km “last-degree south” journey from Patriot Hills to the pole. The team, lead by Steve Bull, head of outdoor education at the college, will be featured in this year’s Royal Institution Christmas lectures (above). They have been planning the trip for two years and have set up a website to allow other schools and colleges to follow the trek. Lecturers at the college have also produced a free “Essential Skills Pack” allowing students to follow them. Teachers’ notes are included in the pack which can be downloaded from the expedition website.

www.polarchallenge2004.org