Polar Trec
Identifying Sea Ice
Sea ice contains 17 sub-types based on age and various characteristics. Scholars observe ice floating in a simulated ocean and record their observations. Then, they view photographs of different types of sea ice and learn to...
American Museum of Natural History
Are YOU Cut Out for Antarctica?
Negative 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you say? Scholars complete a quiz to gauge their adaptability to the extreme climate of Antarctica. The quiz scored online gives them feedback of their likelihood of surviving in Antarctica.
Curated OER
Antarctica’s Melting and the Affect it has on the Ocean
Students calculate how much mass is lost and gained by Antarctica yearly. In this earth science lesson, students graph and analyze data from the given handout. They explain how this affects the world climate.
Polar Trec
Do Microorganisms Live in Antarctica?
Can microorganisms live in the dry, cold climate of Antarctica? Young scientists view a research project measuring microorganisms in the Taylor Glacier. They record the findings from dirty ice, clean ice, boots, sediment, and more. Then...
Curated OER
Survival in Antarctica
Explore the harsh climate of Antarctica and its wildlife. Participate in experiments to determine how humans survive in the continent's climate, and address the difficulties faced by scientists.
Polar Trec
Ice Cores: Modeling Ice Sheets
Ice cores provide scientists with knowledge of historic melt layers, air temperatures, greenhouse gases, and climate stability. Scholars work in groups to build layers representing snow and ice over thousands of years. Then, groups...
Curated OER
The World's Last Great Wilderness (Antarctica)
It's a shame that there are no photographs in this presentation because the information is fascinating! Each identically fashioned slide contains bullet points of information about Antarctica that will enhance an earth science...
Curated OER
When Land Ice Melts
The Artctic and Antarctic Ice caps are the focus of this Earth science lesson plan. In reality, this is more of a demonstration than a lesson plan, but there is some rich discussion that happens before, during, and after the...
Curated OER
When Floating Ice Melts in the Sea
With this simple inquiry exercise young scientists observe the effects of melting ice on water level. Set up an easy experiment with floating ice cubes in a dish of water then have your pupils make and record their observations of the...
Polar Trec
Who Will Melt First?
If the Greenland ice sheet melted, sea levels would rise by about 20 ft; if the Antarctic ice sheet melted, sea levels would rise by 200 ft. Scholars explore ice melting through the analysis of different ice samples, clean and dirty ice....
Polar Trec
Where in the World Is Our Teacher?
Kirk Beckendorf, a middle school teacher, joined researchers at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica to help maintain automatic weather stations. The lesson encourages pupils to track his travels around the region. They connect with the...
Curated OER
Antarctica: Effects of Salinity on Icebergs
Young scholars investigate the effects of salinity on icebergs. In this hands on instructional activity, students design and conduct an investigation into how the amount of salt in ice affects its buoyancy.
Curated OER
Professor of Ice
In this environment experiment learning exercise, students complete 3 experiments using ice. First they label each experiment and respond to the four questions given. Then students do the 3 experiments as stated, considering what the...
Polar Trec
Frozen Fish? Unique Adaptations of Antarctic Fish
Some fish contain proteins that act like antifreeze in order for them to live in the frigid waters of Antarctica! High schoolers determine how much antifreeze a fish needs to lower its body temp to -2.5 degrees. Teachers act as a...
Curated OER
Ice, Ice, Baby
Students explore the causes and effects of the melting ice formations in Antarctica; they then research different aspects of the topic in order to create a news special.
Curated OER
Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica Today
Students explore the importance of research in Antarctica, then explain how snow becomes part of the Antarctic ice cap. They explore Antarctica's harsh environment and discover how scientists drill ice cores and what information ice...
Curated OER
Under the Ice: Imaging Glacier Bases with Sound
Students investigate with radio waves that are used to remotely sense the topography beneath the ice sheet. They experiment with travel time of waves and convert data to distance and depth. As a result, they develop a profile of the...
Curated OER
Displaying Sea Ice
Learners display their knowledge of sea ice. In this earth science lesson, students create displays reflecting their understanding of sea ice.Learners research the development of sea ice on a variety of bodies of water, and use proper...
Curated OER
Bank On It! Antarctica
In this vocabulary worksheet, students read an informational paragraph about Antarctica. Students then fill in the 17 blanks with words from the word bank.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Sea Level: On the Rise
With the global temperature on the rise, the effects of climate change are starting to be seen. However, many people have a difficult time conceptualizing the long-term effects, such as sea levels rising. Given an easy and effective...
Polar Trec
The Amazing Antarctic Trek
This resource provides two ways to engage learners in using latitude, longitude, and research skills. In pairs, or on their own, learners will locate several Antarctic regions on a map. They will write the name of the place and a few key...
Polar Bears International
Top of the World
Learn about polar bears and the Arctic circle with a instructional activity about the countries and conditions of the region. After examining how the area differs from Antarctica, kids explore climates, animals, and geographical position...
Curated OER
Antarctica
Students explore why Antarctica is so important to the planet. They investigate the physical characteristics. Students create their own unique treaty of governance for Antarctica and discuss how laws are enforced in Antarctica.
Curated OER
Ice Core Clues
Students create a PowerPoint presentation on the information they research about the ice cores and what they tell us about Earth's past. In this ice core lesson plan, students research radioactivity, air pollution, sodium, snowfall...