One of the simplest biological samplers, zooplankton nets are made in a wide variety of styles and sizes. The two nets in the MARMAP Bongo vertical-haul net system explained here each have a mouth diameter of about 25 cm.
Learn about how scientists measure salinity, temperature, and depth (CTD). Information can be found in Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, as well as in English or Spanish language.
NASA's Operation IceBridge images Earth's polar ice in unprecedented detail to better understand processes that connect the Polar Regions with the global climate system. IceBridge uses a specialized fleet of aircraft and the most sophisticated suite of science instruments ever assembled to gather data on sea ice, glaciers, and ice sheets. The data gathered today will allow future scientists
What is it and why do we use it?
A CTD — an acronym for Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth — is the primary tool for determining essential physical properties of sea water. It gives scientists a precise and comprehensive charting of the distribution and variation of water temperature, salinity, and density that helps to understand how the oceans affect life
What is it and why do we use it?
An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, or Acoustic Doppler Profiler, is often referred to with the acronym ADCP. Scientists use the instrument to measure how fast water is moving across an entire water column. An ADCP anchored to the seafloor can measure current speed not just at the bottom, but also at
Here is a great interview with Dr. Iverson on Iowa Public Radio. He gives an excellent overview of the research, why he has chosen Mulajokull as a location, and the significance of understanding glacial mechanics and movement in light of global climate change.
In this lesson students will learn how to use photography to support scientific research by documenting collected measurement information through observational photography. This lesson was written for a Photography course, to be taught in a lab with access to either a darkroom or computers/printers. Alternatively this lesson could be modified to work in a non-photography class, by removing the photography
This National Science Foundation Press Release details how PolarTREC teacher Paula Dell's students designed and built their own underwater camera rig to observe and record Antarctic Fish. Their device was successfully deployed this year in the waters off Antarctica.
While in Toolik Lake, Alaska, PolarTREC teacher Susan Steiner worked with a robotic platform that traversed sections of tundra collecting information on a variety of different environmental variables. This article describes the sensors and instrumentation used on the platform in greater detail.
This presentation to the District 128 school board highlighted the science and adventure of NASA's Operation IceBridge and why science, technology, engineering, and math are vital to all our students. Links and credits to videos in the presentation can all be found in the video information on YouTube.