Students use a stream table to model how melting glaciers impact stream flow, erosion, and habitats. Through hands-on experiments, they observe sediment transport, canyon formation, and siltation, analyzing the effects of increased glacial melt on landscapes and ecosystems.
In this culminating activity, students will share their knowledge of the impacts of environmental change with others by creating a digital story of the potential effects of a warming climate in their community, the Arctic, and/or the Bering Sea.
Students compare historical and recent photos of their local environment to document physical changes over time. They analyze causes of change, predict future transformations, and discuss the impacts on ecosystems.
Students interview long-term residents to document environmental changes over the past 50 years. They summarize their findings in reports and create a newspaper to share with the community.
In this 6-8 day investigation, students use a WebQuest activity to research the effects of melting sea ice in the Bering Sea Ecosystem. The students create research proposals to earn a place on the scientific research vessel Healy, and present their findings and proposals to a “Research Board committee”.