Melissa Lau spent a month in the tundra ecosystem gathering data using a device called a Greenseeker. This device measures exactly how green a plant is by calculating its NDVI or Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. In this lesson, students will explore light waves, how they interact with plants, and find out how green is green.
Dayton's News Program, Fox 45 in the Morning, talks with teacher Chantelle Rose directly from the Arctic about her oceanographic PolarTREC expedition and follow-up involvement with the 2012 Arctic Ocean Ecosystem Workshop in Barrow, Alaska.
Students decorate polysterene cups later to be submerged in the ocean. Subsequent activities have students consider the effects of water pressure and depth with respect to their cups.
Objective
Students will determine mass and volume of a styrofoam cup. They will calculate the density and research the depth of the Bering, Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. They will
Students chose a research project, from one of seven suggested projects, to complete in class with a partner. Upon completion they will present their information to the class.
Objectives
Students will present a scientifically accurate project on a topic related to the PolarTREC Winter Sampling expedition.
Lesson Preparation
Introduce students to the PolarTREC website. Any expedition could be selected
Local news interviews PolarTREC teacher Nell Herrmann about her expedition to Palmer Station, Antarctica. The take a visit to her classroom as well. Video and written article are included.
PolarTREC teacher Juan Botella is interview by a local news station about his work on the NB Palmer. Juan discusses ocean circulation and changes affecting marine organisms. Video and article included.
Results from PolarTREC teacher Chantelle Rose's research cruise to the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort seas surprise scientists and may have implications for climate modeling. Read more about the tenacity of life forms living off the coast of Alaska from this National Science Foundation press release.
Tara Hastings, WDTN Meteorologist visited Graham High School to talk with PolarTREC teacher Chantelle Rose about her Winter Sampling expedition. A video interview will remain as an external link to WDTN webpage.