In this lesson students research scientific field expeditions and learn what it is like working in the field. Students are able to ask questions of the research team as part of their project. Students then share what they have learned with their classmates.
Objective
1. Students understand what really goes on in the field during a scientific study.
2
An important science skill that needs to be developed is asking significant questions that advance knowledge. This activity helps students to understand the difference between significant and trivial questions.
Objective
Students should be able to distinguish between significant questions that advance knowledge and trivial questions.
Procedure
1. Have the students define significant question and trivial questions in a
Using photos from a variety of websites, including the PolarTREC and SCINI websites, students will identify organisms to phylum and/or class level (e.g. polychaetes, starfish, brittle stars, sponges) and then research the primary foods that these organisms eat. They will then develop a simple food web for these organisms.
This Live from IPY! Event was held with PolarTREC Teacher Cameo Slaybaugh and her project PI, Stacy Kim who are members of the Antarctic Undersea ROV '08 PolarTREC expedition. The team talked about the underwater ROV, SCINI, and the research they are conducting in the waters surrounding Ross Island, Antarctica.
This Live from IPY! event was with PolarTREC Teacher Gerty Ward, and scientists Sarah Zimmerman, Rick Krishfield, and Brian Hunt who are all participating in oceanographic research on board the CCGC Louis S. St-Laurent on the Beaufort Sea.
There were about 120 people in attendance.
The beginning part of the presentation is composed of recordings from Gerty Ward and the
Online version of The News & Observer news paper article highlighting Gerty Ward's participation in a PolarTREC expedition on the Beaufort Sea. Gerty will be working with Rick Krishfield and other scientists on a Canadian icebreaker studying ocean currents and more!
Few people are familiar with the fascinating stories that Arctic and Antarctic explorers have to share. Students will research an explorer and create a dangling string with key information and highlights from the expedition(s) of that explorer.
Objective
To learn about polar explorers and polar expeditions.
Preparation
Gather needed materials. Have the explorers' information and photos