This lesson incorporates techniques and experimental designs used by researchers during the Southern Ocean Diatoms PolarTREC expedition and during post-expedition laboratory analysis. This guided inquiry lesson provides students the opportunity to explore photosynthesis and primary productivity using techniques to measure chlorophyll levels.
Objectives
SWBAT:
1. Use models to predict chlorophyll levels in the global oceans
2. Identify
Understanding Physical and Chemical Parameters of Ocean Water Using CTD Profiles
Overview
A focus of the PolarTREC Southern Ocean Diatoms expedition was to collect water samples and physical profile data using oceanographic technology. Oceanographers rely on the real-time data transferred from the water column to the ship-based computers using a CTD sensor. The CTD measures conductivity (salinity), temperature and depth
1) Why is it important to collect large quantities of research data?
2) How can photographing a subject be similar to scientific observation?
3) How can one plot photographic data on a map?
Introduction:
This lesson was written for a Photography I course, to be taught in a lab with access to either a darkroom or computers/printers. The
Antarctic educator, Mark Walsh, created this video for the PolarTREC 2013 spring online professional development course. This video uses the concept of Density to explore how mountains are built as well as how to throw a good Cinco de Mayo party at McMurdo Station Antarctica. He uses the Dr. Samantha Hansen's Transantarctic Mountains work as an example of mountain building.
This student lesson focuses on plate tectonics and large-scale system interactions, utilizing PolarTREC teacher Brian DuBay's Transantarctic Mountains expedition videos.
Objectives: The student will investigate, make observations, and analyze geologic processes of plate tectonics.
Key concepts include:
a) how geologic processes are evidenced in Antarctic mountains;
b) tectonic processes (compressional, tensional, and transversal forces).
Adapted by Michelle Brand Buhanan for
The seismic equipment that is being used for TAMNNET (studying the Transantarctic Mountains) was specially engineered for use in polar climates. Polar projects commonly require a level of support that is several times that of seismic experiments in less demanding environments inclusive of very remote deployments. This site offers great engineering insights, design drawings, and additional related links.
This website is an overview of the TAMSEIS project addressing the questions of the Transantarctic Mountain origins and the structure of the East Antarctic craton.
This website is an overview on the Transantarctic Mountains with information on geography, geology, mechanisms for formation, issues, and additional references.
Ice Stories is a project from the San Francisco Exploratorium as 'Dispatches from Polar Scientists' as an outreach effort from the 2007-08 International Polar Year. The Antarctic Geology focuses on mountains in East and West Antarctica. Be sure to check out the videos associated on the website "Secrets of Bedrock" and "Mystery Mountains".