Students learn how models are constructed and how they work using a gameboard activity to represent the layers of Earth’s atmosphere and the greenhouse effect.
Students dig into authentic Arctic climate data to unravel some causes and effects related to the seasonal melting of the snowpack. In particular, students learn about albedo and its relationship to snowmelt. This concept applied to global climate change on a large scale as well, and students go on to learn about the role of albedo as a self-reinforcing feedback mechanism.
This jigsaw activity is designed for students to become familiar with several datasets of Arctic weather data, collected in Eureka on Ellesmere Island. Students join a role-playing activity to read and interpret graphs while considering the optimal time to plan a research mission to the Arctic.
Students measure the albedo and surface temperature of various ice surfaces and changing processes as the ice melts over time. Students apply what they’ve learned in the experiment to the understanding of albedo, and the role albedo plays in the Earth’s energy budget.
Sea ice
Explore sea ice
MOSAiC Overview
Expedition leader Markus Rex explains MOSAiC
What Does the Polar Vortex Have to do With Climate Change?
The Arctic is warming at a rate almost twice the global average. This could be making vortex splits more likely, but is still up for debate among climate experts.
Arctic Tundra
This video segment from Wild Europe: Wild Arctic describes some of the plants and animals that make up the tundra biome. It also captures the harshness of the treeless arctic environment and the adaptations that different organisms use to survive a year's worth of seasons there.
Changes in Polar Regions - Year of Polar Predictions
The Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP) - from research to improved environmental safety. This video explains the background, methods and aims of the Year of Polar Prediction.
Unique Polar Processes
Learn about the difference between land ice and sea ice, and the unique snow and ice phenomena that occur in polar regions.