Curated OER
Adaptations of Fishes for Survival in Polar Environments
High schoolers compare the anatomy of temperature and polar fishes. They explore the adverse effects of cold on metabolism and physiology and discuss how polar fishes adapt to their environments. Comparisons are also made to the DNA...
American Museum of Natural History
Ask a Scientist About Our Environment
Let's ask an expert! Scientists at the American Museum of Natural History field questions about the environment in an interactive resource. Question topics range from global warming and conservation to endangered species and habitats.
Curated OER
Researching Polar Animals
Second graders read the questions about polar animals and use the Internet to perform a search for the answers to the questions. They click on the blue links to go to the particular website with the answers and then print off their sheet.
Curated OER
Fitting In-Animals' Adaptations to Their Environment
In this animals' adaptation to their environment worksheet, students read for comprehension and ability to apply knowledge. In this T-Chart and creative activities worksheet, students answer three questions.
Curated OER
Keeping Warm When it is Cold: How does a polar bear keep warm?
Students make a model of a polar bear and discuss why fur/skin color is important. They also perform a simple experiment using black and white socks to determine how color affects temperature.
Consortium for Ocean Science Exploration and Engagement (COSEE)
Plankton to Penguins: Antarctic Food Web
A well-written lesson plan, second in a series of four, gets high schoolers exploring how the Antarctic food web is impacted by climate change and the associated melting of polar ice sheets. It begins with a PowerPoint presentation about...
Curated OER
Glacier Bay Seabirds
A gorgeous collection of photographs take viewers on a virtual tour or Glacier Bay National Park with a focus on the seabirds living in the area. Adaptations to the polar climate are highlighted, different species of birds are displayed,...
American Museum of Natural History
Ask a Scientist About Our Environment
Scientists respond to 26 question posed by learners. These experts answer in easy to understand language, include photos to illustrate the issue, offer suggestions for how young people can make a difference, and supply links to resources...
US Environmental Protection Agency
Getting to the Core: The Link Between Temperature and Carbon Dioxide
Polar ice samples provide scientists with valuable information about the condition of the atmosphere for hundreds of thousands of years in the past. Of particular interest is the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and its...
Curated OER
Polar Pals: Polar Bears & Penguins
First graders complete a variety of activities about polar bears and penguins including the "Blubber Mitten" experiment. They culminate the unit by creating a visual representation comparing and contrasting the two animals.
Curated OER
Polar Bears in Houston
First graders read a book about animal babies from the Arctic and discuss what a polar bear needs to survive. They design a suitable zoo habitat for a polar bear using crayons and paper.
Curated OER
Polar Bears in Captivity
In this polar bears worksheet, students answer short answer questions about how polar bear's needs are met at the zoo. Students complete 6 questions.
Curated OER
Water in the Environment Word Search
In this water worksheet, students find 22 terms associated with water such as water table, watershed, runoff, and polarity in this word search.
Curated OER
Animal Survival
Viewers of this PowerPoint are introduced to endangered and extinct animals. They discover why apes, elephants, pandas, polar bears, rhinoceri, and marine turtles are threatened. Finally, ways that humans have and can make a difference...
Curated OER
Adaptation
The camel, polar bear, penguin, golden eagle, shark, and ostrich are displayed as examples of animal that have adapted to their particular environments. Each slide has a picture of the animal and a bullet-style list of the animal's...
Curated OER
The Day After Tomorrow: How is the Density of Water Related to Climate Change and Global Warming?
Science learners simulate what happens when ice breaks up and floats on water and how increased pressure on ice causes it to melt faster. They view a clip from the movie, The Day After Tomorrow, and relate their lab activities to what...
Curated OER
Polar Expeditions
Middle schoolers consider the implication of polar exploration. In this polar exploration lesson, students research the expeditions that Admiral Peary, Dr. Cook, Captain Scott, and Roald Amundsen made to the North and South Poles. Middle...
Curated OER
Environmental Issues in the Polar Regions
Young scholars list environmental problems they are familiar with and check the ones they think affect the polar regions, and they research and answer questions about environmental issues affecting the polar regions. Students discuss...
Curated OER
Exploring Adaptations: Magic Tree House Polar Bears and the Arctic
In this animal adaptations worksheet, students respond to the facts presented in the Magic Tree House book Polar Bears and the Arctic. Students cut out cards with animal adaptations. Students cut out Arctic animal picture cards and...
Science Matters
Blubber Gloves: It’s All About Insulation
Instill the concept of adaptation with the help of Blubber Gloves—ziplock bags, shortening, and duct tape. Scholars discuss how animals and plants keep warm in polar regions, record their predictions, and try on their Blubber Gloves to...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Food for Thought: Climate Change and Trophic Cascades
Learners examines the arctic food web with a short video about polar bears and an article about bears and warming temperatures. They design an arctic food web and discuss the trophic cascade that could come from climate change.
Curated OER
Polar Biomes
Second graders research the animals, climate, and plant life in both of the Polar regions. They explore a variety of websites and complete a WebQuest. Students complete a chart, view a PowerPoint presentation, and answer true/false...
Polar Bears International
Taking Action!
Motivate young scientists to stand up and take action with this environmental science lesson. To begin, the class works in small groups brainstorming actions that support the conservation of the earth before creating and implementing an...
Wild BC
Bearly Any Ice
After reviewing food chains, your class members participate in an arctic predator-prey game that exemplifies the impact of climate change of food availability. If you are in a hurry, skip this lesson, but if you have the time to...