Students at St George's International School in Luxembourg will work with polar and space experts this school year to explore how lessons from extreme environments could help society use the planet's limited resources more sustainably.
The school's new sustainability theme, 'Ice, Space and Finite Resources', connects Antarctica, space exploration, and Earth around a common challenge: resources are finite.
Students will examine how researchers in remote environments manage essential resources including energy, water, and food, while exploring concepts such as recycling and circular design.
St George's is collaborating with the International Polar Foundation (IPF), which established Princess Elisabeth Antarctica, the world’s first zero-emission polar research station.
The school will also work with ESERO Luxembourg, part of a European Space Agency education initiative, on student workshops and staff training using satellite data to study Earth and Antarctica.
Through the Climate Detectives programme, students will use Earth-observation and Copernicus satellite data to investigate environmental questions.
"Working directly with students allows ESERO to demystify complex space science and spark early curiosity about STEM careers", said Frederic Conrotte, ESERO Luxembourg manager and science communicator.
The programme will officially launch on Tuesday, 13 October, with a screening of 2050, a documentary directed by Eric Goens and Kristof Van Den Bergh.
The film follows climate scientists working at Princess Elisabeth Antarctica and explores the impact of climate change on polar regions and humanity's role in shaping the planet's future.
International Polar Foundation managing director Nicolas Van Hoecke and science liaison officer Henri Robert will also discuss the research taking place at the Antarctic station and plans for the proposed Andromeda Earth Observatory.
The planned facility would combine science, technology and sustainability, including renewable energy and closed-loop approaches to water, energy and waste.
Throughout the school year, students will be challenged to design sustainable solutions for researchers living with limited resources in Antarctica, before considering how their ideas could be adapted for future exploration of the Moon, Mars and deep space.
The screening of 2050 is open to the public and will take place at St George’s in Hamm from 5.30pm on Tuesday, 13 October, followed by a networking reception from 8pm. Register for tickets here.
