Why does the ice melt on the "Frozen Continent"? | CEEE
After exploring albedo in the previous lesson, this lesson expands on more factors that lead to surface ice melt in Antarctica.
Why does the ice melt on the "Frozen Continent"? In this lesson, students investigate various factors that can lead to surface ice melt in Antarctica by pairing a scientific mindset with hands-on exploration of datasets. Context for Use This is the fourth lesson of a five-part curriculum about Antarctic physical environments and ecosystems. Blue ice area in front of the northernmost part of the Heimefrontfjella, East Antarctica. Credit: N. B. Karlsson Resource Type Lesson Topics Atmospheric Science Climate and Weather Climate Change Earth's Systems Energy Balance Polar Regions High School Instructional Time 60 minutes NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea(s) ESS2A: Earth Materials and Systems Published Date December 1, 2020 Funding Information Why does the ice melt on the "Frozen Continent"? Funding Information × Funded by NSF OPP Award #1643715 Close Goals Header What Students Will Do Use a Climate Reanalyzer tool to compare melt areas in Antarctica with climatological variables. Build, test, and confirm or refute hypotheses using the claim, evidence, reasoning framework for an argument Teaching Materials Student Handout: Why does the ice melt on the "Frozen Continent"? File Lesson 4 Student Handout.pdf Teacher Guide: Why does the ice melt on the "Frozen Continent"? File Lesson 4 Teacher Guide.pdf Why does the ice melt on the "Frozen Continent" Slide Deck File Lesson 4 Slide Deck.pdf Description Part 1 – (10 minutes) Introduction The teacher introduces the lesson and the data which will be at the students' disposal. Part 2 – (30 minutes) Research Students break up into small groups to form and explore hypotheses about what causes melt in Antarctica with the available datasets. Part 3 – (20 minutes) Reporting Out Student groups share whether they confirmed/disproved their hypotheses and why. Additional Resources Go to the next lesson in this unit Go to the unit homepage Similar Resources Data Puzzle: It's All Connected What do we already know, or think we know, about climate & Antarctica? Lesson 1 Exploring Arctic Climate Data Activity 3 Antarctic Life & Albedo Lesson 3 Human Impacts on Climate Change: What will happen and what can we do about it? Lesson 5