The fourth International Polar Year (IPY) spans 2007-2009. Through a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), we offered a novel and life-changing opportunity for university students and teachers to learn more about the polar regions and travel to Antarctica over winter break 2007 to acquire first hand experience in field-based research as part of an Antarctic System Science course. The principal goals of IPY-ROAM are (1) to increase the number of underrepresented minorities continuing on to higher degrees or careers in science, and (2) to increase public awareness and knowledge about the polar regions. In this ESA special session, IPY-ROAM students, teachers, evaluators, and faculty will provide an introduction to the ROAM program and summarize through photos and film their experiences in Antarctica over winter break 2007. In addition, we will discuss what made a successful application to this competitive program, present the educational impacts of the program as indicated by participant surveys, introduce curriculum products developed for classroom room use, and showcase other opportunities for minority advancement, student and teacher participation and public outreach during the current IPY. For example, as part of the IPY, the Ecological Society of America’s Strategies for Ecology Education, Development, and Sustainability (SEEDS) is offering a field trip to Alaska during May 2008. Information and feedback on this event will be provided. In addition, the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) will discuss their upcoming 2008 National Conference, which has the IPY and global change as its theme.