Polar Science Education

"NASA scientist Thorsten Markus shares his expertise on polar ice in a lecture at the Library of Congress. In his lecture, Markus summarizes recent observations and findings-together with pictures from Arctic and Antarctic research campaigns-and puts those results into the bigger climate-system picture. He focuses on recent changes in the Arctic and in Antarctica. Markus explains why the two hemispheres react differently to climate change, and concludes his lecture by discussing current and future efforts to address the uncertainties and contradictions of the ice conditions."

videos and related media

"Leading climate change experts discuss one of hte most complex scienctific puzzles ever to confront humankind." Excellent video, partitioned into sections.

videos and related media

"United States participation in the 15th session of the conference of the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Copenhagen, Denmark, December 7-19, 2009."

polar science

The website blurb does not begin to do justice to the power and wealth of resources in this site. It was unveiled at Copenhage, late 2009. "The Climate 1-Stop provides a single location to share and access climate change tools, resources and information, with a primary focus on adaptation in developing countries.The Climate 1-Stop is a partnership of southern and northern organizations working at all levels, from grass roots to global. "

polar science

"This site is all about snow crystals and snowflakes -- what they are, where they come from, and just how these remarkably complex and beautiful structures are created, quite literally, out of thin air."

snow and ice

Learn about climate change in this Google Earth introductory tour narrated by Al Gore, the first in a series of Google Earth tours leading up to the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December. For more climate change tours, visit http://www.google.com/cop15

videos and related media

"Integrating federal research and solutions for climate and global change" This links to the Educators' page, but there is much more to this site especially for incorporation with history and/or policy discussions.

polar science curriculum resources

"In the lesson plan, the class does the work of a team of paleontologists studying a time of rapid global warming 55 million years ago. By examining fossils of leaves from various tree species, and by incorporating the findings into a mathematical formula, the students are able to tell average annual temperatures during this prehistoric time. "

polar science curriculum resources

"The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is a non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of Congress to provide timely information and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path." Under Publications, check out the fact sheet on jobs from renewable energy - good for career talk with students

climate advocacy

Just for fun: Northernmost Tribute to Michael Jackson, Toolik Field Station, North Slope, Alaska The 'guests' appearances by the mosquitoes are a high point of this video! A fun way to introduce or talk about various aspects of life in the Arctic.

polar odds and ends

This is an excellent article with great advice for *anyone* who is presenting a poster *anywhere.* It should be mandatory reading from late middle school on up!

polar science curriculum resources

The planes with skis and the unit that flies them: "The United States Air Force's 109th Airlift Wing (109 AW) is an Air Mobility Command (AMC) gained tactical airlift unit of the New York Air National Guard. The unit is located at Stratton ANGB/Schenectady County Airport, New York and operates both conventional C-130 Hercules aircraft and specially modified LC-130s used for Arctic and Antarctic transport and support missions."

polar odds and ends

This site and document will help educators integrate the polar regions into their curricula. From the site: "The Earth Science Literacy Initiative (ESLI), funded by the National Science Foundation, has gathered and codified the underlying understandings of Earth sciences into a succinct document that will have broad-reaching applications in both public and private arenas. It establishes the "Big Ideas" and supporting concepts that all Americans should know about Earth sciences. The resulting Earth Science Literacy framework will also become part of the foundation, along with similar documents from the Oceans, Atmospheres and Climate communities, of a larger geoscience Earth Systems Literacy effort."

polar science curriculum resources

From The National Acadamies: "This 28-page booklet is based on Ecological Impacts of Climate Change (2009), a report by an independent panel of experts convened by the National Research Council. It explains general themes about the ecological consequences of climate change and identifies examples of ecological changes across the United States. "

climate change

Many PBS shows can be streamed from here. A few examples: NOVA'a Ocean 'Tipping Point', NOVA's 'Extreme Ice', NOW on PBS'a 'On Thin Ice' Wide Angle's 'Burning Season', Nature's 'Under Antarctic Ice,' and many more. Many videos are time 'chunked' making them more amenable for classroom use. Once a video is selected, mouse over the screen to show the full screen and other options.

videos and related media

"In response to a request from Congress, the National Academies have launched America's Climate Choices, a suite of studies designed to inform and guide responses to climate change across the nation. Experts representing various levels of government, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and research and academic institutions have been selected to serve on four panels and an overarching committee." The reports in the left sidebar are excellent and suitable for upper middle and high school students.

polar science

The resources on this EPA website include glossaries, background, videos, case studies and more. All materials have been vetted by scientists and educators.

polar science curriculum resources

Three main sections: History of Winter, Global Snowflake Network, and Thermocron Quest. This NASA site has some powerful resources that are beautifully done and very useful for the classroom.

snow and ice

Go North! follows a dog sledding team across the arctic. It is a full curriculum unit (reading any Jack London in Language Arts class?)

polar science curriculum resources

GLOBE is not directly a polar resource, but its vision and mission make it an indirect route to the study of the poles, and certainly, it's emphasis on climate has increased.

polar science curriculum resources