PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) is a program in which formal and informal educators spend 3-6 weeks participating in hands-on field research experiences in the polar regions. The goal of PolarTREC is to invigorate polar science education and understanding by bringing educators and polar researchers together.
PolarConnect Event with teacher Stan Skotnicki and researcher Mike Loranty with the Vegetation Changes in Permafrost project. This event was live from Northeast Scientific Station in Russia.
PolarConnect Event with teacher DJ Kast and researchers Drs. Byron Crump and George Kling with the Microbial Changes in Arctic Freshwater 2016 project. This event was live from Toolik Field Station in Alaska.
Teacher Anne Schoeffler talks about field work and study sites as part of the PolarTREC expedition “Climate Change and Pollinators in the Arctic” based out of Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.
This is an article detailing the alarming rate at which the Arctic is changing. The article goes through the specific examples of Sea ice, Greenland, Wildfires and Permafrost. This is a readable article for advanced middle school and high school students, and an excellent resource for teachers.
In this investigation, students will measure production of CO2 from surface water and consider the role of surface waters in the global carbon cycle and climate change. They will gather data on using Vernier CO2 sensors. This lesson presents a wonderful opportunity for student-designed experiments.
The module gives a brief introduction to the physical features and processes of the Arctic region and highlights the significant factors that influence those features and processes. Though focusing on northern flora and fauna, this module gives insight into extreme biological processes and some concepts are applicable to Antarctica as well. Developed by Bruce Forbes and Steve Young for the
The attached PowerPoint is an introduction to thermal stratification and turnover in lakes, and interpretation of temperature profile data. The stand-alone presentation can be used to complement a lesson in Earth Science.