Welcome to Into the Arctic, an educational CD-ROM developed for 
classroom use utilizing 'real life' scientific data. Into the Arctic 
has been developed with the documentation and data arranged within 
an HTML interface.

Into the Arctic provides information, data, and graphics for students 
and teachers interested in learning about climate change. All of the 
features listed above are accessible using a web browser.  The CD-ROM 
interface is compatible with all browsers, including Netscape, Internet 
Explorer, and Mosaic. The CD-ROM has been designed for use with 
Netscape (or equivalent browser) version 3.0 or higher. While the
package works with lower browser versions, unusual formatting problems
may be encountered.

For users without an HTML browser already installed, Netscape Navigator
has been included on this CD. The installation packages of this software
are included in the Netscape directory. This CD includes the binaries for 
Netscape for most platforms; including Windows (3.1 and Windows 95), 
Macintosh (Macintosh 68K and Mac Power PC) and UNIX (IRIX5.x and 
Solaris).  The two Windows installation packages are self-extracting 
archives.  Simply run the .exe file and follow the directions. UNIX users 
should contact their systems administrator before installing.

The overall structure of this CD-ROM is listed below:

- netscape - provides the software for installing Netscape Navigator on
  your computer
- n2arctic - lists the various files on the CD-ROM
- README.1ST - the file you are reading now
- start.htm - table of contents containing information on the available
  curriculum supplements and the main HTML file for accessing data and
  information

To access the information on this CD-ROM run "start.htm" in your browser.  
The "start.htm" page contains links to the data and information from the
four curriculum supplements provided on this CD-ROM.  For information on
the use of the CD-ROM please read the section titled 'Introduction' under
"start.htm."

The curriculum supplements include:

INTRODUCTION - Past climate aids scientists in piecing together
information on today's climate and the impact humans are having 
on the  environment.

CLIMATE - The sun, atmosphere and the Earth's surface act together 
to create long-term weather. If this is so, why are there distinct 
differences in climate in the world?

CLIMATE CHANGE - Scientists are ever searching for the answer to how 
and why climate changes. What are some of the tools they use to detect
past climate change? How do they know if climate is currently in a state 
of change? 

EL NINO -  Recognizable patterns of climate change exist. El Nino is an
example of a frequently repeated climate pattern. What causes these 
climate patterns? How does climate variation impact life on Earth?

GREENLAND ICE SHEET PROJECT 2 - Prehistoric climate opens a 
window into a stage of the Earth's existence when human presence had less 
of an impact than is true of recent history. What can 'natural' climate 
variation tell scientists about current climate?  How might human impacts 
affect Arctic regions?

ACTIVITIES and DATA - Compare and contrast your local climate with 
climates from different regions around the world using field data 
collected by scientists.

Acknowledgments:

This CD-ROM was constructed with funding from the National Science
Foundation/Office of Polar Programs grant "Arctic System Science Data
Coordination Center at NSIDC", grant number OPP-9321416.

We would like to thank the Office of Polar Programs, National Science
Foundation, and the GISP2 Science Management Office for their support 
of this project.

For assistance and CD-ROM ordering information please contact:

NCAR/EOL
Codiac Support
E-Mail address: codiac at ucar dot edu
Homepage: http://data.eol.ucar.edu/