This blog documents the process of creating a 25-minute animated film at the University of Alaska Museum of the North that tells the story of bowhead whale annual migration in the Bering, Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. The film takes its basic narrative and title from the 2013 calendar edited by Steve Okkonen, A Year in the Life of Bowhead Whales
The life of the bowhead whales calendar is a teaching tool created by Dr. Steve Okkonen and colleagues to portray science and natural history of bowhead whales in a compelling form. The calendar is available as a PDF and in poster PDF forms.
In part two of this two-part lesson students work in pairs to explore the effects of temperature on ocean stratification using a simple plastic shoebox-sized container in which they create a mini-ocean environment. Students will apply what they learn in the lab setting along with information gained in several online articles to a basic understanding of the Global Conveyor
In part one of this two-part lesson students work in pairs to explore the effects of salinity on ocean stratification using a simple plastic shoebox-sized container in which they create a mini-ocean environment. Students will apply what they learn in the lab setting along with information gained in several online articles to a basic understanding of the Global Conveyor
PolarTREC expedition: Oceanographic Conditions of the Bowhead Whale Habitat. Dr. Steve Okkonen and educator Lisa Seff arrive in Prudhoe Bay where they meet up with the crew of the R/V Ukpik. They head to Barrow Alaska, deploying a mooring with oceanographic instruments along the way.
This one hour live event is hosted by PolarTREC teacher Lisa Seff and her team studying the oceanographic conditions of bowhead whale habitat. The team is stationed in Barrow, Alaska.
This lesson investigates the impact of melting and freezing arctic sea ice on the properties of salinity, temperature and density that contribute to the stratification of ocean waters. This lesson combines several learning approaches including a hands-on lab, a web-quest and collaboration with other students.
Objectives
1. Students will be able to explain and demonstrate how Arctic