Rationale: The Earth has been gradually warming and sea levels have been gradually increasing since the last ice age. Scientists are concerned that this process is about to accelerate due to numerous positive feed-back cycles. If Earth’s remaining terrestrial ice sheets were to melt, then global sea level could rise 80m. A rise of only a few meters could inundate coastal cities which account for roughly 25% of Earth’s population. Understanding the processes behind this phenomenon is imperative if our cities, country, and humanity are to adequately prepare and adapt for these changes. Climate change is a hot topic in international, domestic, and local politics. One cannot be prepared for the future if he/she does not understand this phenomenon.
I took these two photos of the Walker Glacier on the Alsek River along the
north edge of Glacier Bay National Park in August 2010.
Synopsis: This will be a two week unit consisting of two labs. (one with model glaciers of goo and/or ice to model glacial movement, and the other with 60W bulbs and different material to measure albedo) We will watch the Extreme Ice Survey and explore local geological features that are products of past glaciers. We will also analyze real field data from my friend who is a Ph.d candidate in Glaciology. This is a work in progress, but I've included some outlined objectives and great links below:
Objectives: Upon completion of unit, students will be able to:
1) Create a flow chart/poster, video, skit, or an approved project to explain the life cycle of glaciers.
2) Follow directions to complete a lab on albedo and energy transfer.
3) Write a reproducible scientific lab report for the albedo lab.
4) Evaluate ice-age / glacial web resources for accuracy.
5) Write a letter to a congressman explaining the importance (or fallacy) of continued funding for polar research, using scientific data to support the argument.
6) Give a 5-minute presentation describing the possible effects of climate change on their home villages and way of life.
7) Design a proposal for a research project to examine a specific characteristic of glaciers, ice sheets, permafrost, or climate change.
This is a small crevasse at the bottom of the Walker Glacier.
Resources & Links:
K-12 Glaciers and Ice lessons from the CReSIS (Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets)
Glacier Lessons by Laura Le Blanc, a Ph.D student in Glaciology at UAF
Cuffey, K. M., and W.S.B. Paterson. The Physics of Glaciers 4th Ed. Elsevier, Inc. Burlington, MA. 2010
Another Glaciers lesson with a recipe for miniature glaciers in the classroom
1 comment:
Dude! I never heard about you traipsing around upper Glacier Bay! Sweet! Were you kayaking, hiking... Throw me a bone! You clearly need a facebook account!
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