This lesson focuses on adaptations as a driving force in evolutionary diversity. Adaptations are characteristics within a species that enhance its chances of survival and reproduction. Adaptations can be behavioral, structural, or functional. Students must understand that these adaptations are not acquired in the course of the organism’s lifetime, but are inherited traits that have been passed down
This article summarizes the research of cyanobacterial mats in Lake Joyce during the 2014 field season. It describes the importance of the mats to better understand Earth history and understanding of other planetary systems. Additionally, it describes the sediment trap experiement that will conclude in the next field season.
On 6 October 2014, Capital Public Radio in Sacramento, CA interviewed Dawn Sumner, Tyler Mackey and Lucy Coleman on connections between the research in Lake Joyce, Antarctica, and work by the Mars Curiosity rover. To listen to the interview, click here.
This article highlights microbial communities in Lake Untersee, Antarctica and their connection with astrobiology. These communities are similiar to those in Lake Joyce in many ways.
In this introductory lesson, students read an article about Arctic Ocean ecosystems and then play a board game in which they take on the role of researchers.
Objectives
The purpose of this introductory activity is to:
* Identify the main components of complex arctic ecosystem and describe predator/prey relationships between phytoplankton, ice algae, zooplankton, bowhead whales, polar
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.
Students will use the TAMMNET project and accompanying PolarTREC resources to learn about seismology in the Antarctic, culminating in the creation of an annotated map using google maps.
Objective:
Students will understand the different ways mountain ranges are formed, and appreciate the questions unanswered about the Transantarctic Mountains. Students will also appreciate the ingenuity required for doing research in
The following presentation was given by Dr. Patricia Yager at the 2012 Arctic Ocean Ecosystem Workshop in Barrow, Alaska. The presentation outlines Dr. Yager's work in biological and chemical oceanography, and focuses on the feedbacks between climate change and marine ecosystems at different locations around the world.
PolarTREC teacher Paula Dell accompanied researcher Kristin O’Brien’s team to Palmer Station in Antarctica for two
months in 2011 to conduct research on antarctic fishes. This article describes their expedition, their evolving collaboration and includes interviews with both Paula Dell and PolarTREC project manager, Janet Warburton.
This is presentation provides an overview about sea ice in Antarctica as presented by Dr. Patricia Yager. She has slides about the daylight and seasons and related sea ice concentrations. She also has several slides about sea ice as a habitat and about the types of organisms associated with the sea ice. The main part of this presentation focuses on