Scientists are studying the effect of climate change on vegetation in the Alaskan tundra. In this activity, students will analyze data collected from control plots and plots with Open Top Chambers (OTC's) over them. An open-top chamber is like a tiny greenhouse that increases the temperature in a vegetation plot an average of 2-3 degrees, simulating the effects of
After spending 5 weeks in the Arctic learning about tundra vegetation and phenology, Alejandra Martinez wanted to have her students observe the growth of plants in their school. In this lesson, students will grow plants in multiple locations and track their growth to compare their phenology.
Objectives
Students will learn what phenology is and make observations about plant growth
South Texas is pretty far removed from the Arctic. When I mention climate change in my classroom, my students think of emaciated polar bears roaming the Arctic Ocean for a few minutes and then carry on with their day. I needed to find a way to connect what was happening in the Arctic to
Florida International University (FIU) Preeminent Program research team hunts for the drivers of global climate change in the Arctic. Video produced by Florida International University, May 2019.
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.
Interview with PolarTREC teacher Paula Dell and her students from Lindblom Math & Science Academy about their underwater camera probe called "Fish Spy 2" to study icefish in Antarctica.
Article featuring PolarTREC teacher Paula Dell (Biology of Antarctic Fishes 2011, 2013) and her students from Lindblom Math & Science Academy high school in Chicago, Illinois who have created a Fish Spy robotic camera to study icefish in Antarctica.
This 1.5 hour webinar is for the teachers and researchers of the 2014-2015 field season. Each team introduces themselves and the science projects in addition to a summary of the PolarTREC program.
How a PolarTREC Teacher Makes a HUGE impact with Polar Day!
PolarTREC alumni teacher John Wood organized a Polar Day at his school and it was a great success. This event is part of his ongoing commitment to sharing polar science with his students, many years after his expedition! Here is John's synopsis of the events, with some photos and