Curated OER
Arctic cleanup
Ninth graders examine pollution problems and how it affects the community. In this arctic cleanup lesson students study ocean currents and how they affect pollution.
Curated OER
Glacial Climbing
Students plot the current distribution of glaciers around the Earth and see if there any major trends where glaciers appear to be either growing or shrinking at abnormally high rates.
Curated OER
Glacier Flow
Students investigate how glaciers flow through valleys. They answer discussion questions, and in small groups create a simulation of a glacier using a plastic shoe box, water, cornstarch, and pebbles, evaluating their results on a...
Curated OER
Glacier Climbing
Students discover where glaciers exist and how they move. In this glacier lesson, students work in groups to create a glacier in a replica valley and observe its properties.
Other
Nrdc: Are the Effects of Global Warming Really That Bad?
The problems of global warming are examined from the following perspectives: climate pattern changes, health effects, and ecosystem disruption. You will also find a number of NRDC related webpages further amplifying the topic of global...
National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife: The Incredible Shrinking Polar Bears
This article, published by National Wildlife Magazine (February/March 2004 issue), offers an insightful look into the life of the polar bears of Canada's Hudson Bay. The article looks at why these bears are losing weight and bearing...
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Warming of the Polar Regions
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.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Ice Stories: Dispatches From Polar Scientists
During the International Polar Year, scientists descended on the Arctic and the Antarctic in droves. While there, they documented their experiences and research work. That rich database of information, covering November 2007 to October...
National Earth Science Teachers Association
Windows to the Universe: Warming of the Polar Regions
Learn about the climate in the Polar regions and how it is affected by global warming. Links to related material.
NASA
Nasa Earth Observatory: Polar Paradox
In this article about global warming, learn how the warming climate could affect the polar ice caps, glaciers, sea ice, and amount of freshwater entering the polar oceans. Read how some scientists believe global warming could add to...
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Arctic Warming and Greenhouse Gasses
Explore how the warming of the Earth's polar regions may lead to releasing greenhouse gasses.
NOAA
Noaa: Where Will the Polar Bears Go? [Pdf]
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.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Sinking Water: Glaciers, Ocean Currents and Weather Patterns
A lesson where students learn how warm water is less dense than cold water, and what this means for global climate change as ice from the polar regions melts. Students will do experiments in buoyancy and water density when hot or cold,...
National Earth Science Teachers Association
Windows to the Universe: Graphing the Extent of Sea Ice in Arctic and Antarctic
Students graph sea ice extent in both polar regions over a three-year period to learn about seasonal variations, and over a 30-year period to learn about longer-term trends.
National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Federation: Wild Places: Arctic
An overview of the ecological state of arctic environments, plant, and animals.
National Earth Science Teachers Association
Windows to the Universe: Changing Planet: Melting Glaciers
Students sort photographs of glaciers and measure glacial retreat to observe how alpine glaciers have retreated over the past century. Includes a printable worksheet, links to relevant materials, and extension activities.