Follow the Polar Expedition is a booklet designed for students to help them learn about the 2012 Chukchi Sea Offshort Monitoring in the Drilling Area (COMIDA) Hanna Shoal Ecosystem Study with PolarTREC teacher Deanna Wheeler. The expedition is August 5-25, 2012, aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter.
The booklet has terms used on the ship as well as several activities
Students will engage in a hands-on activity to help them consider what students in a tropical climate do to prepare for recess compared with students who live in the interior of Alaska.
Objectives
Students will:
* Compare what students in a tropical climate do to prepare for recess with students who live in the interior of Alaska.
* Learn
Nature creates its own density column in marine systems, which is extremely important for the triggering of the spring bloom of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are an important food source for all organisms- from microscopic zooplankton to large marine mammals such as walrus and whales. The different salinities (and therefore, different densities) of water help to stabilize the water column (by limiting
Students will sing a song and engage in an active game to learn more about ice algae and its role in the arctic ecosystem.
Objective
Students will learn about the arctic ecosystem, particularly the roles of ice algae, plankton, krill, fish, birds, seals, whales and polar bears through song and active participation.
Students will sing a song about the Bering Sea ocean ecosystem.
Objective
To sing a fun science-themed song!
Preparation
* Teach students about the Bering Sea ecosystem or have them review journal entries from Maggie Prevenas’ PolarTREC expedition (see Resources section for address).
* Hand out song sheet or project words onto a screen
Marine debris is primarily human-created trash found floating in the ocean. It can cause serious health problems for animals in a marine ecosystem. Students will gain first hand knowledge about the types of garbage found in the ocean by participating in a waste clean up tally.
Objective
Students will collect marine debris or land-based garbage in order