The International Polar Year is a large scientific program focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic from March 2007 to March 2009. In order to have full and equal coverage of both the Arctic and the Antarctic, IPY 2007-8 covers two full annual cycles. The program involves over 200 projects, with thousands of scientists from over 60 nations examining a wide range of physical, biological and social research topics. The IPY kicked off on March 1st with a number of educational and scientific events. For example, schools around the world marked the day by launching a “virtual balloon”. Basically it involves just putting a placemark in a Google Maps mashup by Tagzania – read how to participate here. You can see the balloons so far in GE here 
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More importantly, from a Google Earth perspective, Matt Nolan (the esteemed geophysical sciences researcher from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks – and creator of EarthSlot) has organized an extensive Google Earth IPY presentation which includes educational tours of the poles, an overview of IPY, and more. Lots of interesting information and photos in the placemark descriptions, and links to interesting background information on the IPY. Great work Matt and to the IPY teams!
About Frank Taylor
Frank Taylor started the Google Earth Blog in July, 2005 shortly after Google Earth was first released. He has worked with 3D computer graphics and VR for many years and was very impressed with this exciting product. Frank completed a 5.5 year circumnavigation of the earth by sailboat in June 2015 which you can read about at Tahina Expedition, and is a licensed pilot, backpacker, diver, and photographer.
Do you think this means there could be some Antarctic imagery added to Google Earth soon?