Exploring Polar Science - 4-H Project Book
Summary
This 4-H project book includes a series of eight activities, focused on polar science, that youth can complete with an parent or mentor. Each activity includes a hands-on component and options for communication. The activities featured are appropriate for use outside of 4-H, for instance in science classrooms, with after school programs, or during enrichment camps. Each activity includes links to supplemental materials to extend learning.
Context
Audience
These materials would be appropriate for informal STEM learning programs in the geosciences serving youth in upper elementary school, middle school, and high school. The booklet could be part of a structured program or completed individually by the youth with a parent or mentor.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
Youth need to be able to read background information and instructions or have a mentor complete activities with them.
How the activity is situated in the course
The booklet can be completed as a stand-alone activity (there are eight activities within the booklet) or individual activities could be extracted from the booklet for use in classrooms and informal learning programs.
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
Geography of the poles and differences between the two regions; ice cores and gathering information about past climates; glacier motion and impact; living and working in polar regions; food webs; ecology of past and present; and sea ice and sea level rise
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
Making and recording observations; drawing conclusions; and making personal connects between activities, experiences, and supplemental materials
Other skills goals for this activity
Communication; following instructions; leadership; civic engagement; taking action
Description and Teaching Materials
Each booklet includes notes to the parent/mentor and log for documenting activities at the start of the booklet. A glossary of key terms, selected answer keys, and a matrix describing all of the activities are at the end of the booklet.
Printed booklets may be purchased at cost by completing the web form at https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/exploring-polar-science/.
Teaching Notes and Tips
All of the instructions for completing the activities and extending learning are included in the booklet. Additional questions may be directed to Jason Cervenec at cervenec.1@osu.edu.
Assessment
All activities include demonstrations of knowledge within the booklet or articulate products that youth need to create.
References and Resources
These materials were developed under NSF Grant No. 1906929.