Children across the country will get the chance to be part of Australia's Antarctic future, with a school competition to name the nation's new state-of-the-art icebreaker to be held in term one of 2017.

The competition will coincide with the start of construction of the vessel in February, with the ship scheduled to arrive in its homeport of Hobart in 2020.

Next generation to name Antarctic ship of the future

Australian school children will be invited to name Australia's new icebreaker (Photo: Damen/DMS Maritime/Knud E Hansen A/S)

The Australian Antarctic Division's school's resource, 'Classroom Antarctica' will include six new units about Antarctic icebreakers tailored to the Australian curriculum. These will complement existing learning units that focus on the significance of Antarctica, science, wildlife and the Australian Antarctic Program.

This is an important opportunity to educate and inspire the next generation of Antarctic scientists and expeditioners.

Details regarding the 'Name our Icebreaker' competition will be released early next year.

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Source: AAD