12 of 20 results for "extreme environments"
Kahoot
Kahoot!: Polar Worlds

Discover the amazing animals that live in the coldest environments on Earth in this Kahoot about the polar regions. From powerful polar bears and playful seals to emperor penguins and Arctic foxes, students will explore how animals survive freezing temperatures, icy waters, and long, dark winters.

This Kahoot highlights the special adaptations that help polar animals hunt, stay warm, raise their young, and move across snow and ice. Students will also learn how different species depend on one another within polar food chains and how life continues to thrive in these extreme habitats.

Watch the related BBC videos (below), then invite your Grade 3–8 students to test their knowledge and uncover the fascinating world of polar animals.

Kahoot
Kahoot! Desert Survivors

Explore the fascinating world of deserts and discover how plants, animals, and people adapt to survive in some of the hottest and driest places on Earth. From towering cacti and clever nocturnal animals to sudden sandstorms and scarce water sources, students will learn how life continues to thrive in these extreme environments.

This Kahoot investigates the unique features of desert ecosystems, including climate, habitats, food chains, and the special adaptations that help living things conserve water and stay cool. Students will also explore how deserts change over time and why these harsh landscapes are an important part of our planet’s natural systems.

Watch the related BBC videos (below), then invite your Grade 3–8 students to test their knowledge and uncover the surprising diversity and resilience of life in the desert.

Playlist
Video Playlist: The Best of Sir David Attenborough

Celebrate the incredible work of Sir David Attenborough — a storyteller who has helped millions of students and viewers explore the natural world. On the occasion of his 100th birthday on May 8, 2026, we honor his enormous accomplishments in the field of environmental advocacy and his role in revolutionizing nature documentaries.

This playlist brings together 10 unforgettable clips from landmark BBC series like Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and Frozen Planet. Each video showcases amazing wildlife, powerful storytelling, and moments that spark curiosity and wonder.

Perfect for the classroom or at home, these videos help students connect with nature, understand our planet, and feel inspired to protect it.

Playlist
The Wild Weather Video Playlist

Get swept up in the drama of Earth’s extreme weather! This BBC video clip collection — featuring clips from Blue Planet, Blue Planet II, and other acclaimed BBC series — takes you into the heart of hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and more. Discover how these powerful forces shape our planet, challenge wildlife, and reveal the awe-inspiring power of nature. 

Playlist
The Polar Bear Playlist: 10 Amazing Video Clips

Step into the frozen world of the Arctic and meet one of the planet’s most powerful, and vulnerable, predators: the polar bear. This BBC video playlist dives into the daily life of these majestic animals, from caring for playful cubs to navigating treacherous ice in search of food.

Through stunning footage and expert narration, learners will explore how polar bears adapt to extreme cold, hunt for seals, and survive in one of Earth’s harshest environments. Along the way, they’ll also discover how climate change is threatening the polar bear’s icy home, and why protecting it matters.

Playlist
Arctic Adventures Video Playlist

Dive into the incredible world in Arctic with this thrilling BBC Learning Hub playlist! Discover how polar bears, musk oxen, and belugas survive in icy worlds, learn about changing seasons, and see how wildlife and ecosystems adapt to extreme environments and modern challenges.

Video
The Rocky Mountains of North America

In The Rocky Mountains of North America, narrator Douglas Henshall highlights the dynamic landscape of the Rockies. From the American Southwest to the Yukon, this extreme environment offers freedom, but also requires its inhabitants to have exceptional survival skills. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Mountains: Life Above the Clouds, which showcases wildlife thriving in the world's highest mountains.

Video
Protecting the World’s Smallest Islands

In Protecting the World’s Smallest Islands, host Radzi Chinyanganya highlights the efforts of children in Palau, a small Pacific Island nation, as they fight to protect their environment from the effects of climate change. These young activists are taking action to preserve their island’s natural beauty and ecosystem, which are being threatened by rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns. Through their activism, they are calling for greater global attention to the vulnerabilities of small island nations and their urgent need for climate action. This video is excerpted from BBC’s My World, a program created for teenagers eager to learn more about the important stories shaping our world.

Student Article
6 Out-of-This-World Experiments Recreating Space on Earth

The article "6 Out-of-This-World Experiments Recreating Space on Earth" from BBC's Science Focus explores how scientists simulate space missions in remote and harsh environments. From the HI-SEAS habitat in Hawaii to NASA’s underwater NEEMO program, these experiments allow astronauts to practice survival skills, test space equipment, and prepare for life on Mars and beyond.

Video
The Lut Desert's Deadly Viper

In The Lut Desert's Deadly Viper, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores one of the hottest places on Earth. He reveals how a newly discovered viper uses extraordinary camouflage and a spider-like tail to hunt migrating birds in this harsh environment. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.

Video
Navigating the Dark Depths of the Ocean

In Navigating the Dark Depths of the Ocean, narrator David Attenborough highlights the deep ocean, where no sunlight reaches, and animals have adapted to survive in total darkness with minimal food. The Dumbo octopus glides effortlessly through the water, conserving energy. The vampire squid uses bioluminescent bacteria to create light patterns that confuse predators. In this extreme environment, creatures must rely on special adaptations to detect food, avoid danger, and navigate the dark depths. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

Video
Spring in the Arctic Is a Changing Ice World

In Spring in the Arctic Is a Changing Ice World, narrator Sir David Attenborough highlights the changing ice world as the Arctic transitions from winter to spring. While many birds migrate south for warmth, eider ducks endure the extreme cold, relying on a rare opening in the ice called a "polynya" for survival. These ducks dive beneath the ice to feed on mussel beds, but they must act quickly before the powerful ocean currents return. Meanwhile, the availability of food in these polynyas attracts predators, adding another challenge to survival in this harsh environment. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.