Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Why the Arctic Is Climate Change's Canary in the Coal Mine

For Students 9th - 10th
William Chapman explains why scientists often describe the Arctic as the "canary in the coal mine" when it comes to climate change. [3:59]
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: A Subsistence Culture Impacted by Climate Change

For Students 9th - 10th
This short video explains how warmer temperatures in the Arctic are transforming the ecosystem and affecting the Athabaskan people, threatening their way of life. [2:59]
Website
Other

Union of Concerned Scientists: Global Warming

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides statistical evidence, backgrounders, FAQs, climate impact reports, and suggested solutions to the global problem.
Graphic
NASA

Nasa: Climate Time Machine

For Students 9th - 10th
Travel through time and explore how the changing climate has affected sea ice, sea level, carbon dioxide levels, and global temperatures. Also, decide whether or not you would be affected if the sea level rose due to warmer temperatures...
Activity
NOAA

Noaa: Where Will the Polar Bears Go? [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Get to know polar bears and learn why it is important for them to live in the current arctic conditions. Make a poster that demonstrates your understanding of how climate change in the arctic could affect polar bears and humans.
Handout
National Wildlife Federation

National Wildlife Federation: Wild Places: Arctic

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of the ecological state of arctic environments, plant, and animals.
Article
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Warming of the Polar Regions

For Students 9th - 10th
While global average temperature has risen above the 1950-1980 average, our planet's polar regions are experiencing warming at a faster rate than other places.